Dumpling for Duan Wu Jie/Rice Dumpling Festival

For as long as I could remember, my mom has been making dumpling yearly, in conjunction with the Dumpling Festival, which falls on the 5th day of the 5th month, of the Chinese calendar. Every year, she will occupy her time by wrapping up the dumpling, for a good 5 hours or so, and then slow cook them with charcoaled fire.

The fact that my mom makes it, I have seldom tasted dumpling made by others... And having accustomed to the taste, which is slightly sweet-ish, I liked this way dumplings are made.

I like the dumpling made by my mom due to the fact that she puts in chunks of mushroom, pork (without the fat), chestnut, dried prawns and buah kundur, together with the glutinous rice.

The pot of cooked 'ingredients'

Getting ready all ingredients

Each bamboo leaves are chosen to make sure it is big enough to hold up all the rice and fillings.

Rice with fillings ready to be wrapped

Wrapping the dumpling is definitely a skill to acquire, which requires lots of practicing. My mom made it sound really easy 'Just cover the leaves on the top with right hand, left hand hold the dumpling, and to press the left, right, and front part of the edges, so that the triangle shape comes out well".

The wrapping process

At time of tying the dumpling, the string has to go 2 rounds at the edge of the opening, to ensure the dumpling is in tact.

Mom does it graciously

This bunch of dumplings was my first ever attempt in wrapping them. Of course since this was first attempt, I only use rice to wrap them.. Hehe..

My first attempt in wrapping dumplings

Dumplings ready to be boiled

The cooking in process

Unwrapped the dumpling

The ingredients wrapped within the dumpling, ready to be eaten

Dumpling festival is over by the time I post this, nevertheless, wish everyone had a good 'Duan Wu Jie'.. Happy Dumpling Festival!!

Mom's Cooking @ Home Sweet Home

A change from my usual eat out habit, I love it when my mom cook during Sunday afternoon.

This is my idea of a perfect home cooked meal.

Steamed chicken with dipping made out of lots of ginger, parsley and oil.

Steamed Chicken with dipping sauce

The steamed lap chiong to dipped with the scallion head (not sure if its called scallion). But to take this raw, goodness, I just love the taste of it.

Lap cheong

Voted as my No1 favorite out of my mom's cooking, it ought to be this - the minced meat wrapped with dried oyster/dried scallop. It was very simply, cooked with spring onion, garlic, black mushroom, oyster sauce and pepper to taste.

Minced meat wrapped in dried oyster

CNY Visiting @ 3 Home Sweet Home in 1/2 Day

CNY gives more reason to catch up, and visiting amongst ex-colleagues. I managed to catch up with more friends this year than the past, therefore, not too bad, in terms of collecting angpows. ^-^

During visiting last week, we can't escape from being served food from the hospitable hosts.

My 1st stop was to David and Beng Suan's home. Beng Suan served us the farfalle pasta cooked with chicken pesto sauce and fettuccine with green pea and chicken in creamy sauce. Both tasted good, but I prefer the farfalle. The sauce tasted really good. In fact, though Beng Suan doesn't cook much, seemed like her cooking skills improved.

Farfalle and Fettuccine

Cute 'woohoo' tiger at David and Beng Suan's home

Me and Suan

We then moved to Kristine's home that is just few steps away. The gang took the opportunity to celebrate Kristine and Belle's belated birthday. Eat again..

The birthday cake

Suan, me (carrying Ruffie), Kristine and BG

Needless to say, Ruffie, Kristine's pet dog, a breed mix between Pomeranian and Chihuahua, was the centre of attraction the afternoon (both amongst the adults and the kids). Ruffie must be really tired playing with us.

Adorable Ruffie

Beautiful vase of flowers at Kristine's home

The road was rather jam getting to Candice's home, and served home cooked food.

Just love the chinese sausage steamed with scallion (usually to take only the root bulb). The taste will be milder when steamed together. I love to eat it more raw, mixed with lime.

Steamed Lap Cheong

Rice cooked with chicken and mushroom

We were also served Candice's specialty soup, and vege.

Fake cherry blossom at Candice's home

Love to see the young kids seated at a table, and listen to their 'seemed-to-be' matured conversation.

The 5 cuties

This was the lou sang from Grand Imperial before our dinner started. This was one of the better tasting lou sang I've tried this year.

Lou Sang

All ready to 'lou lou lou'. The cute Maegan (in the middle) joined the adults

A lot of wishes were made during the lou sang. May all come true for all of us.

Lou sang in progress

An ang pow for me, from Candice before I leave

Thanks to all the lovely hosts. Wished the night was longer, to have spent more time together.

Gong Xi Gong Xi!

Vegetarian @ My Home Sweet Home

Dung Dung Chang, Dung Dung Chang, Dung Dung Chiang Dung Chiang Dung Chiang. Gong Xi Gong Xi. May all goes well this year of tiger..and somehow, this year, I feel especially blessed.

Our usual during 1st day of CNY is to have vegetarian lunch, cooked by my mom.

Part of the family - my mom, dad and younger bro

Other part which includes Yap and Kiaw

My mom is truly a super cook. She used to tell me that she can't cook before married, and see what a marriage does to some woman. Cooking skill improvised!!

My mom

Needless to say, everything taste good on that day.

Vegetarian sweet and sour fish

Mixture of vege

Mushroom

Another mixture of vege, with macadamia nuts

Vegetarian Prawn

A simple lunch, followed by many many meals during CNY. Yay!!

Vietnamese Roll @ Jo's Home Sweet Home

Decided to drop by Babe's home one Saturday, and for light meal, I decided to make the vietnamese roll. This ought to be the easiest meal to prepare.

A choice of any ingredients you like can be used.

Table filled with food

1. First to have is pack of rice paper - which will need to be soaked in warm water, before we use it to wrap all other ingredients

Pack of Rice Paper. Price-RM2.60 (bought from Jusco supermarket)

2. Choice of any ingredients you like. I had the small prawns, lightly grilled. Prior to that, it was marinated with sugar, soya sauce and pepper.

Prawns

The chicken grilled - marinated with teriyaki sauce.

Chicken

Mint leave is a must. The taste of vietnamese roll was enhanced with the minty taste.

Mint leaves

Other ingredients placed into the vietnamese roll was the lettuce, cucumber, meehoon (boiled). There goes an easy light meal to prepare.

The sauce - water mixed with fish sauce, sugar, lime and clove of garlic.

As a 'bonus', I also cooked up the simple, mushroom, saute with lots of garlic and parsley.


As additional 'bonus', Jay made this really simple salad. Peeled crabstick, mixed with mayo and wasabi. This tasted really good. This can be eaten, wrapped in lettuce.

Crabstick

Overall, satisfying and simple meal.