Reunion dinner was a simple affair at my MIL’s place, but there was nothing simple about the food! There was homemade sharksfin-crabmeat-abalone soup which took centre stage, together with steamed cod and the braised meat-sea cucumber-mushroom dish and a sharksfin melon soup which was my personal favourite. DD, who had ordered the menu, was delighted. He kept looking at me hopefully, telling me to cook dishes like these but where Chinese cooking is concerned, I know I would never match my MIL!
Pity next year we’re probably going to have steamboat! My MIL is getting on in years and she was exhausted by the food prep, both for the reunion dinner as well as the lunch for the extended family on the next day. I love my steamboat — it’s comfort food but it’s not quite the same level of good food. Needless to say, we ate till our hearts’ content that night. We needed the energy for the next day’s activities!
I think cooking an entire Chinese meal from scratch is a lost art for our generation – I'm really aspired to learn and do it one day though! It's such a nice thing for the kids to come home to 🙂
debra :: yeah, my efforts at cooing Chinese food always pale in comparison to my MIL's! i think it just takes too much effort! but i know what you mean about it being nice for the kids. i hope N would look forward to coming home for dinner next time. just that it prob wouldn't always be Chinese food if i'm cooking!
My MIL is also one of those women who can cook up a storm! But hers is Peranakan style. She starts prep weeks ahead of CNY. I too feel it is too much work and while I like how the food really brings the family together, I don't know if I'll ever be able to do the same! (Although she has generously shared all her recipes with me)