Foodelicious!

Ok.. ok.. that picture is not exactly the best... but I was greedy and wanted to eat that bowl of self created tong sui!! Hence, the just snap the damn picture and let's get on with the gobbling cincai shot! Hahahahaha...

Yes, this is not the common tong sui you get everywhere.. infact, I dont think you have seen this anywhere yet.. Yup, I was being funky and decided to create something nice base on what I like.. which are.. red bean, green bean, yam and hehhehe... secret!! The combination of all these is mind blowing, tongue teasing, texture and taste seducing tong sui!! Ok.. wait.. let me have another bowl....

The combination of 2 beans and yam was not something common.. but the flavor was good.. further enhanced with my little secret, it was more than great... It wasnt too rich nor was it bland.. the flavors compliment each other yet there is a a hint of contrast.. maybe in terms of texture.. the red bean was soft yet still whole..the green beans lend a very aromatic flavor.. the yam was just succulent and fluffy.. and the flavor was blending...yummmz!!

I brought this along for a party and thinking that nobody usually takes such thing, I shall have quite a bit of leftover... hahhaahaha.. boy! was I very very wrong!! bowls and bowls of this was scooped and had.. men even went back for more than 2 helpings!! Aaaaahh.. men are not tong sui lovers.. hahahaha.. but this, must have seduced them.. and I have some of my friends coming up to me to ask me.. What have I brought that their husbands keep taking about!! Hahahaha..

Yes, off and on, a good creation is what makes life interesting.. a good "haute couture" tong sui is a much needed affair especially when one has been feasting on the usual food.... hehehehe... oh yes!! this is for sale.. but I have yet to decide how... but I do know, it will be a hit!!

and a warm bowl of tong yuen, nicely sweetened and spiced up to end it all..... Yes!! I survived yet another year and am glad the worst is over. Hehehe! With that, I celebrated Kor Tung or what is known as Winter Solstice Festival with hope for a great year ahead loaded with plenty of great things and laughter.

What did you people do for Winter Solstice Festival?? I noticed many Chinese people are slowly forgoing their tradition and for some, it is a sigh of relief of not having to do so much and get all excited over nothing.. but for some, like me, it's a shame. What are we as human if we dont have traditions and heritage? I was made aware of the significance when my monster was a little girl and went around telling everyone that she is an English girl!! Her rationale at the age of 3 was that, she dont speak Chinese, dont eat much Chinese food, dont know anything about Chinese tradition because her parents dont practise any of them and therefore, is not Chinese. I was so ashamed.. and from that day onwards, I make it a point, no matter how small the gesture might be, to practise the tradition and heritage.

Practising tradition and heritage doesnt mean one is all about worshiping a different God or idolism. Practising tradition and heritage is about keeping the essence of one's race alive in a fun way. We dont burn jossticks or candles and worship idols.. we just skip that part.. but we make it a point to emphasize the importance of family bonding, trust in each other and at some point entertain the monster with tales and stories from those bygone era. The act of telling stories handed down from one generation to another is part of the tradition! Hopefully, when it's her turn, she would do the same.

So, coming back to this Winter Solstice Festival, what is the significance of this festival to you? Many people are not aware of the story behind this festival.. some say it is the beginning of winter, some say it is new year. some say it's a time to feast and eat tong yuen.. I say, from what my grandma tells me years ago, Winter Solstice festival is to celebrate the passing of the harshest part of winter. In olden days, life is a constant struggle and when winter comes, not many will make it thru as people were poor and winter can be very harsh. And in any season, there will always be a peak for that season.. the worse day.. the harshest where temperature drops drastically.. and if you survive thru that, you made it! The worst is over and one can look forward to better weather and soon, a new year. As usual, to celebrate, people then make little balls out of glutinous rice flour and flavor it with sugar. That's thanksgiving for them.

Yes, thanksgiving is part of our culture too... I have plenty to be thankful for.. good health, good kid aka monster, good family, good friends.. good business.. and for that, as I roll and drop each tong yuen into the broth, I say a word of thanks...

Didnt I say I am having a relaxing time after a very hectic Christmas? Heh! heh! heh!

Saw this "tong sui" being sold and the line of people it managed to attract got me very interested. I bought a serving to try and yes, I love it. So, there begin my adventure of making this tong sui which by the way is very easy to make. The trick is to pick a nice pumpkin! Wahahaa... seriously, I noticed that the japanese pumpkin make a better choice because it is sweeter and smoother and using santan makes a very aromatic tong sui.. the sago is my own added ingredient...

Drop me a line should you want to try this tong sui... it is easy to make and very yummy.