For the first day of the Chinese New Year, I cooked a huge pot of vegetarian chap chye (mixed vegetables stew). This is a nyonya dish which my mother-in-law made on the first day of every Chinese New Year. It is a tradition carried down from her own
mother. I used to assist my mother-in-law till she could no longer
cook, a few years ago. This dish could be cooked in advance and tastes even better after 1-2 days. It is delicious on its own or served with rice. We eat it all day long.
There are two versions to this dish, one using taucheo (fermented soybeans), more common in Malacca and Singapore. The other, using fu yee/nam yee (fermented beancurd) has Cantonese influences, more commonly cooked by Penang nyonyas. My mother-in-law's version uses both nam yee and fu yee. Other ingredients are mushrooms, black fungus, lily buds, tang hoon (glass noodles), beancurd sheets, gingko nuts, fatt choy (black moss) and meen kan (wheat dough or gluten).
As my family and I partake in this dish, I would like to make a wish for the peace and happiness of all beings. Not forgetting the stray animals, and the less fortunate ones who also need our assistance and love. Thank you for visiting this blog and wishing you love, serenity and a meaningful life.
May you fulfill your deepest wishes and dreams. May Oreo. Sorren, Caramel, Checkers. Toffee, Ginger, Mimi and her brood be safe and well.
May ALL be Well and Happy!May you fulfill your deepest wishes and dreams. May Oreo. Sorren, Caramel, Checkers. Toffee, Ginger, Mimi and her brood be safe and well.
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| shitake mushrooms |
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| nam yee |
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| meen kan |
Hi CF,
ReplyDeleteWhen my mum was alive and still the matriach - I was her assistant and cooked mine with "nam yee" !
To enhance the flavour - I added Penang yam too !
Now, I don't cook anymore !
Best wishes,
Gan
Dear Gan,
ReplyDeleteHmm....that is a tip, I can add Penang yam but what is Penang yam? Haha
Rgds,
CF
Hi CF,
ReplyDeletePenang yam is keladi pinang, Hokkien is "Penang Or". Better flavour then other types of keladi.
Usually very expensive during CNY as Hokkien believe in "Or Kia Or Soon" which means many offsprings.
Regards,
Gan
Dear Gan
ReplyDeleteThank you. Maybe I shall try it the next time I cook this dish.
Rgds
CF
Hi CF,
ReplyDeleteWe call this dish 'mun chai', but we didn't had it for CNY. You are a very compassionate person, having the less fortunate n strays in your heart as you partake your meal. I told my young son to give some oranges to the road sweepers n garbage collectors in my area. Tomorrow is 'yan yat' n soon the festive season will be over, huh!
Rgds
Evelyn
Dear Evelyn,
DeleteOne of my teachers taught us to constantly have the attitude of being "inclusive" ie to remember to include others in our thoughts and deeds. I am sure the garbage collectors will appreciate your oranges1
Regards,
CF
Dear CF
ReplyDeleteGong Xi Gong Xi. MiMi and friends thank you for your kind wishes.
Were you in Malacca? I was there on the eve and back on the second day of CNY. My in-laws observe vegetarian diet every first day of CNY. The 'chap chye' is one of the many vegetarian dishes that we have along with gingko, lily buds and fungus as dessert.
Today is 'Yan Yat' so here's wishing you and your family plus all your readers 'Happy Birthday' :) May all beings be Well & Happy always.
Rgds
CP
Dear CP,
ReplyDeleteGong Xi Fa CaI! How was your "Yan Yat" celebration? I have been around and did not go outstation. I must say I celebrated a very sad CNY this year. I will write about it when I am able to talk about it. Right now, I am still in grief.
Rgds,
CF
Dear CF
ReplyDeleteI celebrated my 'Yan Yat' with my mum and siblings in Klang.
Oh dear - sorry to hear you have a sad CNY. Grief if you must, but do be strong for all your loved ones around you.
Today is a big day for the Hokkiens - Pai Thee Kong. There'll be lots of firecrackers and fireworks, so hope Oreo and friends have their sound-proof places to hide.
May all beings be Well & Happy always.
Rgds
CP