Saturday, January 21

Little Lion

Steamed B B Q Pork Bao


JING CHAR SIU BAU (STEAMED BBQ PORK BUN) - a long history going back to between 221 and 234 B.C. when Juger Liang, a man renowned for his great wisdom, was prime minister of the Shu kingdom, now Szechuan province. On six successive occasions Liang successfully repelled the fearsome barbarian tribe commanded by Meng Huoh. The seventh time, both parties having fought honorably, Meng Huoh bowed before Liang's strategy and wisdom. Everyone joined in the great march back to the Shu kingdom. On the way they came to a river. According to barbarian tradition, in order to cross the river a human life first had to be sacrificed and the head thrown into the water to ensure that the current could be safely crossed. Liang, in his great wisdom, did not wish to kill an innocent man, since his ghost could return to claim other victims, and so he ordered his cook to prepare a large steamed round loaf shaped like a head which he threw into the river. Everyone made it across without incident. Since that day, and for a long time afterwards, little steamed buns were made in the shape of heads, more oval than round. These buns are called "mantow" or "mantou" which phonetically is the same word, referring both to buns and the heads of barbarians! Only the second written character differentiates them

Chow Mein - Mainstream Food Today


Chow mein. A Chinese-American dish made of stewed vegetables and meat with fried noodles. The term comes from Mandarin Chinese ch'ao mien', "fried noodles," and probably was brought to the United States by Chinese cooks serving the workers on the western railroads in the 1850s. The word first appears in print in 1900. Although most chow mein bears scant resemblance to true Mandarin cooking, it has become a staple in Chinese-American restaurants...

Tea - And You Thought There Was Just One Sort


Hot Tea, Cold Tea... Your choice. If you visit Taiwan or Hong Kong you can't help but notice the unique bubble teashops on every corner. Bubble Tea to Taiwan is what coffee or soda is to the U.S. One would think Bubble Tea is the national drink by its popularity. Bubble Tea originated in Taiwan in the early 1980's at a small tea stand.

Elementary school children would look forward to buying a cup of refreshing tea after a long, hard day of work and play. Tea stands were set up in front of the schools and would compete for business with the best selling tea. One concession owner became popular with her tea when she started adding different fruit flavoring to her tea. Because of the sweet and cool taste, children loved the taste. Soon, other concessions heard about the "unique" and popular tea, so they started to add flavoring to their teas. When adding flavor, the tea and flavoring needed to be shaken well for a good all around taste. This formed bubbles in the drink, which came to be known as "Bubble Tea."

In 1983 Liu Han-Chieh introduced Taiwan to tapioca pearls. The new fad was to add tapioca pearls into a favorite drink. Most of the time tapioca pearls were served in cold infused tea. After the tea and flavor were shaken well, it topped tapioca pearls that were sitting on the bottom of a clear cup. The tapioca pearls also looked like bubbles, thus also became to known as "Bubble Tea." Bubbles floated on the top your drink and bottom of your drink.

Chicken Satay - BBQ


Served piping hot.. Who could resist?

Ming Court - Sky City


Auckland Showgrounds - 1000 of people eating, meeting friends - a brilliant day for all

Happy Chinese New Year 2006


Year of the Dog. Chinese boy in traditional dress. Auckland Chinese Community Chinese New Year Celebration - Auckland Showgrounds 21-1-06

Friday, January 20

Purple And Yellow Flowers - Rock Composition


So bright and summery. Reminds me of Dad's garden at home. Always Lillies, Gladiolus, roses, granny bonnet

A Quiet Place to think and Ponder


Nice to be away from the hustle and bustle of modern day living. King Edward Park Hawera

King Edward Park


Peter Pan and Wendy Statute, Hawera. Many memories as a child playing there - the little pond, the Chinese Garden

A Month Has Passed


Christmas went and so did the New Year. Now we are ready for Chinese New Year 2006 - They year of the Dog - Starts 29 January.

Tuesday, January 3

New Day - New Year


2006

Leaving You Behind


Taranaki-Auckland 28 December 2005

Day Turns to Night December 28 2005


Taranaki to Auckland

Monday, January 2

Homeward Bound December 28 2005


Suitcase and guitar in hand

Going Home Taranaki to Auckland December 28 2005


Day is Done, Gone the Sun

Hawera December 28th


Dull Day to Lay One to Rest

New Year is Here - 2006

The start of the New Year and 3 children away in China. Dongguan is over - have visited the villages.