Experience from the other land: My CNY Dinner
Experience from the other land: My CNY Dinner
Believe it not, I had a wonderful CNY dinner today with my friend’s family today.
The reason I was suspicious about this dinner originated from my experience in the Chinese restaurant last time. Because my friend’s parents expected a few visitors to visit us quite early that evening ( which means there was not enough time to cook dinner), I followed my friend’s mother to order Chinese take-away. But the food turned out very disappointing: fish and chips I had were so greasy and salty that I swore to myself that I would never try random Chinese take-away
any more.
The experience seemed to indicate that the whole idea of Chinese restaurants went flawed. At the take away counter, I didn’t see a single soul of Chinese people (Instead, I was the only Chinese person in the whole restaurant). Although the
decoration was oriental to some extent (such as Chinese water-colour paintings,
red couplets), the menu was largely nothing to do with what I had in China. What was more ironical was that most people who went in wanted chips and sausages or fish, instead of food such as fried rice or sweet and sour pork.
Anyway, I helped my friend’s mother in the kitchen this morning. Though I told
her that there was no need to cook eight courses in order to follow my hometown’
s custom, she insisted and wrote down a beautiful menu. I had to admit I was very impressed. The menu was as follows: Spicy Sichuan-style prawns; lemon chicken;
stir-fired beef; stirred spinach; egg-fried rice; Northern style cold noodles;
spring rolls; and Cantonese egg flower soup. But not only was the menu amazing,
the actual finished courses were amazing too! I had the best prawns I have had
in my life; and the lemon chicken was absolutely delicious.
At the table I was asked to tell what my mother cooked normally and what I thought of the CNY dinner this time. I said that I loved what my mother cooked; but I
also liked what my friend’s mother cooked (which was sincerely from the bottom
of my heart): different styles but all yummy and impressive. And I found that adapted Chinese cooking and food actually do one good in most aspects.
For example, instead of deep frying spring rolls, you use oven instead, which not only prevented oily smoke but also reduced the amount of oil you took in. Another example is that salt and MSG are never welcome guests in the kitchen. With
gentle frying or stirring, you can actually reserve and take advantage of the
natural salt and flavour in the vegetable and meat. Use the right amount of sauce, vinegar, pepper, and sesame oil, but avoid any deep frying and unnecessary
or abundant ingredients. In this way your food actually will be good in both taste and presentation.
For celebrating this CNY, my friend’s mother even took trouble to buy red napkins and table cloth for the dinner event. I had to say I was deeply moved. They
had done everything possible in order to make me feel at home and happy. Because
I didn’t know how to communicate with my friend’s parents, in the past few days I had preferred staying in my room to sitting downstairs and talking to them.
And most of the time I was only present downstairs in the sitting room when my
friend was around. But this CNY event somewhat altered the situation.
Helping her in the kitchen actually made me feel at home. I talked to her about
my experience of knowing a Chinese girl in the neighbouring town, about my liking for the town and people, and about my eagerness of helping her around. I didn’
t talk much in this house, but back in my mind I always wish they could understand. I would love to know more about them and be of help, but I just didn’t know
how. Now fortunately CNY offered me the opportunity to know them better, and my
whole perspective was hence suddenly changed. Now I think although I am not with my parents, I am home—just another one.
Feb. 18, 2007
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轻松英语