Wonderful Christmas Time

 

The mood is right, the spirits up

We're here tonight and that's enough

The party's on, the feeling's here

That only comes this time of the year

Simply having a wonderful Christmas time

The choir sing their carols
They practiced all year long

Ding dong, ding dong

Wishing All Out There
A Merry Christmas
&
Have A Wonderful
Christmas Time

What A Dish !

Yesterday was one of those days, that made me remember and reminisce about the past when I ordered this dish which my mom used to make, at this restaurant in this new mall at Tanjong Katong. The moment I tasted it, my heart was once again filled with gladness. That was one of the best home cook comfort meals she ever prepared for us when she stayed with us. Then I was filled with wistfulness that I didn't attempt to cook this at all and my children missed out on their grandma's cooking. My son took an instant liking to the dish when he tried it. This is not an item that usually appear on a restaurant menu. Since we were there at this Malaysian restaurant owned by this lady from Penang, I had the opportunity to eat this again after a lapse of twelve years. She also shared with me on how to cook it and said it was pretty easy to make. The dish is none other than Chai Buey (Hokkien) or Suen Lat Gai Choy (Cantonese). Translated will be Spicy, Sour Mustard Greens.

酸 辢 芥 菜

 

This dish broth is stewed from leftovers of lavish meals during festivities like Chinese New Year and sometimes from a relative's wedding banquet. Those days aunties were not shy about asking for them after the dinner came to an end. The odds and ends like roast pork, chicken or duck will be thrown into the pot to simmer for hours before adding other ingredients consisting of salted vegetable, tamarind peel, dried chilies, ginger to enhance the flavor. Final main ingredient will be the mustard green so the vegetables will not be overcooked. This vegetable has broad stems with succulent leaves and has a bitter taste. My mom would add extra seasoned chicken wings into the pot just for the kids.

  

How this dish came about, sounded like a folklore as it happened in the Imperial Courts of China which my mom told me. One day the Emperor was about his palace grounds. There was this aroma coming from the kitchen which kept him wondering what the cooks were up to. Out of curiosity, he headed for the kitchen and wanted to know what this dish was. How was it that it has never been serve to him before. He then ordered the cooks to serve him the new dish when ready. The cooks were reluctant at first but when pressed for an answer about ingredients of the dish, they sheepishly admitted to the Emperor that it was cook with the leftovers from the banquets and feasts for the royalty, generals and ministers held at the palace. Imagine there would be abalone, scallops, mushrooms added in the concoction of this rich appetizing soup with a tangy and savoury taste. Such forbidden foods sneaking into the pot by the cooks were liken to hidden treasures of the Forbidden City. Even the Emperor would vouch that it was worthy of an imperial culinary delight.

Before I sign off, I remembered my primary school teacher was pointing out a mistake a girl made in her composition. The girl described her mother as a good cooker, L0L. I must visualize this dish on my dining table. Hopefully when I see this vegetable in the market, I will not think twice about getting it. Happy Holidays to You ! ! !

Cheers

* The dish above no longer on their menu.
   updated on 15/6/2016.

By Gorge, This Is Awesome

Hi there, my other son came back from a schooI trip from Japan. I thought it would
be wonderful to share some of the photos he has taken. Here is a glimpse of some of
the beautiful scenery he got to enjoy. 

 

Hi, I am Ryan and this entry is written as guest to my mom's blog. Earlier this month, I went on a school trip to Japan. It was a definitely a remarkmable journey into another culture. We touched down at Fukuoka Airport in Kyushu which is the third largest island, south west of Japan. We were fortunate we were not affected by the typhoon that hit Japan but it rained on and off that whole day.
 

 
During the trip, we visited many places of attraction both cultural and scenic spots. Brimming with history was Kumamoto Castle and mythology were the shinto shrines. Apart from sightseeing, visits to the car & motor factories were part of our educational tour. We got to experience a farmstay for a night and attended bamboo craft workshop. The best time was spent trekking along Takachiho and Kikuchi Gorge.
 

Kumamoto Castle

400 year old

 

Kushida Shrine

House in Mojiko Retro Town 

KIKUCHI GORGE
Kumamoto prefecture

 

Throughout this short hike up the gorge, the temperature was a little chilly. The sound of footsteps on the pebbles, running water amid the lush greenery that surrounded us, felt very calming and serene indeed. Seen here were beautiful waterfalls and rocky banks.

TAKACHIHO KYO GORGE
Miyazaki prefecture

The Takachicho Kyo gorge is so different from the previous one we went. Located deep into the mountains, it is a ravine formed by the volcanic basalt from Mount Aso. Steep cliffs lined the sides of the Gokase River and 17 meter high Manai Falls cascading from the precipitous cliff was simply breathtaking.

We also went to this cave, Amano Yasukawara. A simple shrine is dedicated to the sun goddess. According to Japanese mythology, this was where she, Amaterasu hid after her brother destroyed her palace until other gods lured her out.

We also had the privilege to visit the proximity of Mount Aso, touted to be the largest volcano on earth. However due to the eruption level, warning was being raised in August 2014. With the closing of the facilities meant little photos could be taken.

Mount Aso

During this trip, we also spent a night at a homestay with a Japanese family. Our host, Ms Masugata; her hospitality was a very welcoming and warm one. Not to mention that we got to help out harvesting Japanese persimmons from a tree outside their home. When dinner time came around, my group and I were treated to a generous feast only a Japanese family could offer. So much food kept flowing out of the kitchen as we ate, that we suggested having leftovers for breakfast too.

Group photo with Ms Masugata & Husband

Alas, my holiday in Japan has come to an end. My friends and I thoroughly enjoyed the homestay. I have seen so much throughout this trip that I can share with you the beautiful gorges we visited. I returned to Singapore after an enjoyable week long trip in Fukuoka. 

~ X o X ~

Mom : I thanked God for the safe trip and keeping all of them out of harms way. Second typhoon Vongfong smashed through Japan and made landfall in Kyushu on Monday, 5 days after he is back. Phew !

Lavender Food Square, Gonna Miss You

Hi everybody, it's about time I should be putting up another post. Been under the weather and busy. I knew about the closing of Lavender Food Square but didn't know it was extended till the end of the month. I haven't been going there for the last three months to eat my fill of wanton noodles. Thought I'll go down to take a last look of the place before it demolish to make way for a new building. My family came here quite often to enjoy a satisfying dinner of noodles and dumplings.

Most of the stalls have already moved out to new locations. Glad to see my two favourite stalls are here on the last day. Die hard foodies of the wanton noodles are queuing to get a last plate of the delectable traditional wanton noodles.

The food and place hold special memories for me. Having dinner here with my late mother. Feeding my children when they were young. The stallholders of this famous wanton noodles although old and look the just the same twenty years ago. They still have the stamina to man the stall dishing out many plates of noodles. I don't think they need the money looking at the brisk business they are doing. Besides they are charging quite high for their plate of noodles; labour and ingredients don't come cheap anymore. It's hard for them to hire help. They will be taking a break before reopening at somewhere further down the road in another six months time.

This is the other stall I like to eat from. I love this because of the simple yet tasty soup that go with the noodles.

 Farewell Lavender Food Square. Thank you for the good food.

Victoria Theatre Reopens

Colonial Architecture

Last weekend, Victoria Theatre and Concert Hall was opening its doors to the public for two days to view the newly renovated grand old dame. Once known as Victoria Memorial Hall was built in honour of the late Queen Victoria of England who died in 1901. This is the oldest performing arts centre in Singapore built between 1855 and 1862, originally used as a town hall with a theatre and some meeting rooms and offices.

Theatre Hall

After a 4 year refurbishment, the Victoria Theatre and Concert Hall re-opened its doors on Tuesday, 15th July. The 152 year old national monument returns with modernised facilities, and much of its original architecture preserved. On seeing the impressive photogaphs of the place in the newspaper prompted me to drop in to snap some photos for you. Besides my family had often gone there to attend my son's performances and band competition ever since he joined the school band in primary three. I have not been to the theatre wing so far. The concert hall was the only place we been. Sure was a good chance to see the rest of the building.

Foyer at the Concert Hall Building

Hall on the ground floor

       This hall here look elegant and stately with its polished marble flooring, statuesque                columns and imposing doorways, exuding grandiose charm. 

A New Spiral Staircase 

Theater Foyer

 

Recycled timber back seat backing on walls & ceiling

Stairway to 3rd level

Looking at the opposite side Atrium

The other side of the Atrium

At the back of the 3rd level

Still at its original place, the bust of Sir Andrew Clarke

Plague to commemorate Queen Victoria

  

In memory of those who were killed during the mutiny in Singapore in 1915 

  

Concert Hall

It was an busy Sunday and I didn't queue up for the free performance in the concert hall or theatre. I have no pics of the performance halls and these two pictures were taken by my son the day before. He was there before I even suggested it. I am sure this place holds a lot of special memories for him and many more to come.

Taken from the 2nd level

Stairway to the Main Atrium

 The rest of the family wanted to leave for home because of homework

and whatnot. Let's check out the restroom before we go.

Washroom in monochromatic colour scheme in subdue lighting

These are all I manage to take. I felt disenchanted that I didn't go into that theatre or climb up to the clock tower and miss out on the tour because of time constraints. I know I will be back here again for my son's future band performances. 

Till then . . . bye for now as we trip along Queen Elizabeth Walk to the MRT

Hooray for Clear Skies