It was rare that I could visit my Aunt earlier than usual. Usually, I reached her house at 12:30pm, today I decided to reach at 12pm. It is my routine to visit her once a week because she stays alone and it is always good to have a companion to talk to sometimes. For her and for me. I always learn a lot from her sharing. It was double rare because my tuition got cancelled so I got stayed till 2pm. We got to chat alot, I learned her tenacity, diligence and perseverance in life.
Watching her cook
When I arrived, she was about to stir frying the vegetables. I wanted to take photos of her step by step but she said no. So I took her photo at this angle only. And I went to see her cooked the vegetables.
Stir fry vegetables with prawns
It was stir fry vegetables consisting of English gourd, carrots, snowpeas, enoki mushroom, and prawns. She heated up oil and sautéed the garlic, then in those fresh juicy prawns for a quick tossed. Then she scooped out the prawns. Followed by adding in the julienned English gourd, carrots and enoki mushroom and snow peas. Added in some oyster sauce and anchovies powder. Last step was to add in the prawns, a little toss to blend all together and the vegetables dish was done!
Our Lunch!
Another sumptuous lunch by Aunt. Only I came today. Eldest son was not well, so I kept them at home because I would not want my Aunt to fall sick.
Besides the stir fry vegetables, I love the other two dishes too.
Steamed minced pork with salted fish, topped with potatoes
This one was her Hakka dish, same as my Mum who cooked this quite often for us when we were young. Basically it was minced pork marinated with salt, pepper, soy sauce and some sesame oil. And it is a versatile dish where you can add anything else inside, my mum used to add preserved vegetables too with some diced carrots and spring onion. For my Aunt, she only added in salted fish and egg. She topped it with potatoes too because the children love potatoes. Very delicious pork dish.
Chicken with red dates
This was a Chinese way basic stir fry chicken bites with soy sauce and caramel thick soy sauce, with added red dates, it had the a natural sweetness which made the whole even more flavourful. The boys extremely loved this dish.
I love my healthy lunch!
Oatmeal cookies!
She said I helped her today with filling up some forms so she rewarded me by baking these cookies for me. I felt such an honor! It was just a simple tasks to help her fill up some government forms. Thank you, Aunt. The cookie was so fragrant, with the buttery aroma, the oatmeal, and some nuts in there. Yumsss! Can't wait to eat more for tomorrow's breakfast with my cup of coffee!
After I had done my lunch, she packed the rest for me to bring back for husband and the boys. I stood and watched to ensure she kept reasonable amount for herself as she tends to take just a small amount for herself.
We had plenty of time to chit chat today. She told me about mooncake festival, the history of it from what she watched at television the night before. We also chatted on world's economy and she said she was thankful that all of us are healthy and able to work too. She also reminded me not to fear because we can trust in God. Then she shared some story of Japan's war which she witnessed when she was young. Indeed, we are blessed to not have to go through the fear and misery of war.
The food with love, well-packed. And with cookies and sweets for the boys!
