There were many. Now there is only one. This cannot even be called a Reunion Dinner because there is no one to be reunited with. Nevertheless, I cooked myself a rather scrumptious meal.
When Mum was around, she never failed to cook my favourite Chinese New Year dish which is the Hou Si Fatt Choy. This is braised dried oyster with black moss, roasted pork, shitake mushroom and Chinese cabbage. I have never done this before but it tasted just like how Mum used to cook it.
The other dish was Luo Han Zai which is a Buddhist vegetarian stew. It did not turn out well as all the ingredients were mushed. I had used water chestnut, button mushroom, cloud ear fungus, cellophane vermicelli, dried sweet bean curd, gingko nuts, cabbage and red fermented bean curd.
My neighbour Soon Leong and his wife had invited me to have lunch at his apartment. Mum and I had New Year Eve lunch at their place last year. I wanted to be alone this year to spend some time in quiet contemplation. This Chinese New Year and subsequent ones will never be the same again without Mum. Hopefully, I will get used to it in years to come. For now, I will try to pretend that it is just another ordinary day.
looks tasty – I never fail to be impressed by Chinese cooking – it has the most unique combinations of ingredients 🙂
Abit of a personal question – but do you live alone? Feel free to disregard if you’d rather not answer.
I’m curious about how a day in your life is like.. twould be cool to tell us someday if you like.
I live alone… sort of. I share a maid with my cousin whose apartment is one floor below mine. I have the maid for the first half of the day to clean, wash and cook. After that, I am pretty much on my own.
I will be more than pleased to share with you and anyone else who is interested in knowing what a day is like for a tetraplegic like me, hopefully soon. 🙂
Happy Monkey New Year Peter!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 😀
may your new year be less hectic than mine in penang. phew.. the traffic and the fireworks.
I have an excuse not to visit relatives. Lucky me, huh?
May you have a safe journey back. Take care.
My dear Peter,
I had just left a short message in one of your gallery pics when I realized you’d probably would not be seeing them anytime soon so, here I am again. You probably would not remember me though but I was in your scout patrol in La Salle Secondary School, yeah the pint size nerdy kid! I must apologize here though. I have always wondered how you have been and I never did try hard enough to find out. It was only yesterday when my bro-in law mentioned that you have your own website and I could check it out. I think he was your schoolmate in primary school. Are you still in Penang? Would be great to see you again yah?! I could be reached at this office e-mail or on my handphone at 012-4253186.
Happy New Year, Peter Tan
The Internet not only bridges distance but time. Good to hear from you again, Chan Hoe. Gong Xi Fa Cai to you too.
Kung Hei Fat Choy. Good health. Hope your quiet reflection brings new wisdoms. I managed this year to go back to Melaka to celebrate CNY. It is never the same without motherly love around. We need to move on and carry on a good tradition.
Kung Hei Fatt Choy to you, too, TK. How’s the festive mood in Hong Kong? I wish you well and good health for the Year of the Monkey and always. I totally agree with you that we need to move on and carry on a good tradition that was inculcated in us by our parents. Through us, they live on.
Eyy, when are you coming to KL? You will like all the new shopping centres that’s been opened – IKEA, Ikano, 1 Utama (new block) and the Curve later this year I think. I have misplaced your other email. Mail me.
And yes…IT IS ME, your Lil sis! No bluffing ok.