Growing up in a Chinese-Cuban household in North Jersey, our mixed heritage was evident in the everyday things–our dinner table, conversations & holidays. And in the larger things–in our personalities & values. I've decided to write a book about my family's history & their journey from China to Cuba to the US. This blog documents my own journey into writing, into learning more about my family & where we come from, and hopefully into understanding more about myself.
Sunday, December 26, 2010
Tang Yuan or Winter Solstice Soup
Most people know December 21st as the first day of winter but did you know, according to old Chinese traditions, mostly celebrated in Southern China, it is also the night to make “tong yuan”, winter solstice soup for dinner. I’m usually not home for this, but this year, my family waited and made it on Christmas Day so I could partake. I’ve always been known as “soup girl” in my family because I love soups of all kind. This one is really a simple broth with just a few ingredients but the real beauty of it lies in the tradition of our family sitting around the table rolling out balls and then enjoying it together. It’s clean and light, yet comforting and tasty.
The name “Tong Yuan” literally means “ round balls in soup.“ The main ingredient of the soup, the “yuan” are small balls made of rice flour. They are chewy, almost like gnocchi but stickier. Some people have them sweet but our family always serves them savory. In olden times, the arrival of winter meant the farmers could stop working and celebrate at home with their families and a big feast. Some also say the celebration’s roots can be traced back to the Chinese belief in yin and yang, which represent balance and harmony in life. On the longest night of the year, the yin qualities of darkness are the strongest but also signifies the turning point, giving way to the light and warmth of yang. The round shape also reflects the togetherness and reunion of family. In Chinese culture, almost everything, and especially food, has a meaning - the name, the shape, when you eat it, etc.
Soup
Homemade Chicken Broth
3 daikon /turnip (“Law Bok”) peeled and cut into 2 inch chunks
Shitake mushrooms
3 lap cheong (Chinese sausage) sliced
Fish Balls or Fish Cake sliced
Mix together, bring to boil, let simmer
Yuan
1c of gutinous rice flour
Roughly 4T warm water
Place rice flour in a mixing bowl. Add water a little at a time and knead to form dough. Dough should be sticky but not enough to stick to fingers. Take a section of dough and roll back and forth into long rolls, then pinch off a marble-sized dough and roll it between hands to form a ball, place on plate, but do not let them touch. Try to keep the balls about the same size, although in my family since we all work together we end up making all different sized balls.
Boil a pot of water. Drop in dumplings and add 1c cold water to prevent sticking. As soon as they float, they are done, add to soup and serve with cilantro garnish.
Thursday, December 23, 2010
Finding Inspiration in 'The Help'
As I began writing my book, I thought about the books that I read and noticed a trend in the themes I enjoy most - cultural stories, strong women, family, and history. I like to be transported to another time or place with strong characters that I admire and invest myself in. Of course, it makes sense that this would be the type of book I wanted to write. I recently read a great book, that fits these same characteristics. The Help by Kathryn Stockett tells the story of maids in the 1960s segregated Jackson MS. The families they help raise, the friendships they develop, the discrimination they face, the hardships they overcome. Beautifully told from the perspective of three different women, the Help is Stocketts first novel, based on her own experiences growing up. A story that she never got to tell until now. It’s inspiring to read someone’s debut novel about personal experiences from an untold perspective - and being so successful at it.
The Help tells the story of Eugenia “Skeeter” Pheelan, a recently graduated white woman and aspiring writer who begins collecting stories of the black maids who raise the children and run the homes. And Abileen, an African american woman who’s lovingly raised 17 white children. And Minny a tough outspoken maid who can’t stay employed, despite being an incredible cook. The book she writes is scathing and shocking and puts their lives at risk , but brings pride and hope to the black community who dream of a different world and gives Skeeter the courage to break boundaries and stand up for what she believes, while pursuing her dream. It’s an uplifting hopeful book, full of history, telling of a time period that is often written about, but not from this perspective.
The details are amazing, you can imagine the people, smell the food, feel their hope. Although times have changed, anyone can relate to the relationships, the hypocrisy and discrimination, the hope for a better world. It shows us how far we’ve come and yet how far we still need to go. And yet, the book isn’t one-dimension, they also show the real love they hold for the children, the hope they will grow up open-minded and the employers who treated them like family. For there were some of those as well.
It was a beautiful, well-written, inspired and inspiring book. It’s exactly what I needed to get back into my writing. What do you read to be inspired? What are some recent books you'd recommend?
The Help tells the story of Eugenia “Skeeter” Pheelan, a recently graduated white woman and aspiring writer who begins collecting stories of the black maids who raise the children and run the homes. And Abileen, an African american woman who’s lovingly raised 17 white children. And Minny a tough outspoken maid who can’t stay employed, despite being an incredible cook. The book she writes is scathing and shocking and puts their lives at risk , but brings pride and hope to the black community who dream of a different world and gives Skeeter the courage to break boundaries and stand up for what she believes, while pursuing her dream. It’s an uplifting hopeful book, full of history, telling of a time period that is often written about, but not from this perspective.
The details are amazing, you can imagine the people, smell the food, feel their hope. Although times have changed, anyone can relate to the relationships, the hypocrisy and discrimination, the hope for a better world. It shows us how far we’ve come and yet how far we still need to go. And yet, the book isn’t one-dimension, they also show the real love they hold for the children, the hope they will grow up open-minded and the employers who treated them like family. For there were some of those as well.
It was a beautiful, well-written, inspired and inspiring book. It’s exactly what I needed to get back into my writing. What do you read to be inspired? What are some recent books you'd recommend?
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