星期二特写

Just did an interesting documentary for [星期二特写], about family values and Chinese tradition. The documentary featured two special Teocheow dishes passed down in my family.

Since my mother passed away last year August, we hardly cook at home. I don't have the time to get around to cook nor the luxury of a simple homecooked meal with my family. In the past, my family would sit down for a proper dinner at home, and it was probably during Chinese New Year's eve. I miss my mother's homecooked food very much. Something that money cannot buy.
If you were to ask my dad he will definitely tell you that my mum's best dish is Teocheow soya sauce duck, in dialat we called it "Teocheow Lor Ar". A traditional Teocheow dish passed down by my late grandma. When the producer asked me if I have any authentic family cuisines to introduce to the viewers, it was the first dish that I thought of. The teochew long life cake,"Peng Guah" is another dish. My auntie and cousins actually came over to help us prepare the traditional dishes. It was a heartwarming gathering.

My dad and auntie shared with me and my brother the family secret recipe. My brother was so camera shy! Ha ha...I kept teasing him that he can be a Mediacorp TV actor too! Dad, my aunt and cousins were all quite professional. Perhaps they too can join Star Search or Super Host!!! Ha ha...It was really fun working together as a team and family. We all had a fantastic time.

I also brought the entire film crew to a Teocheow opera troupe "Xin Xin Rong He Chao Ju Tuan" where we perfomed chinese opera. The cameraman was backstage capturing how the actors painted our faces and dorn thier costumes. I played the role of a warrior that day. My greatest passion till this day...

That's me above!

That's me above with the Teocheow opera troupe on the stage.

My late grandfather played the "Er Hoo" in the opera troupe. I remember my grandma would carry me in her arms to watch "Dok Dok Chang" when i was a year old. My dream was to become an opera artiste, to be that warrior fighting on the stage. I was so facinated by the actors, colourful costumes, meaningful stories, melodous music and the loud drum which sounds like "Dok Dok Chang"! Pehaps this facination opera runs in the family! I often wonder if I have kids next time, will they be opera fans too...

We spoke in Teocheow most of the time during the interview and it brought back fond memories of my childhood. All my relatives would gather at my three room flat at Telok Blangah. My grandma and my relatives will sit together, joke and laugh while they cooked. We would play at the corrridor, playing hide and seek or police and theif. We made so much noise. At times, we would also sneak into the kitchen to steal some food when the adults weren't paying attention.

There's a great difference between home-cooked food and the food we purchase from hawker centre or restaurant. Chinese always say that home cooked food are "爱心餐", which means food with love. Unlike westerners, where the parents will hug and kiss their children and say " I love you" to each other. Chinese families are quite conservative. Our parents and grandparents show their love for us through food.

I treasure those wonderful moments and will not hesitate to tell my grandma and mum they are the best cheifs!

Well, if you have the time, remember to watch the documentary [星期二特写], 23rd Sept, next Tuesday on channel 8 at 10.30pm. Maybe you can learn how to prepare the dishes with your family too! = )