Was at Din Tai Fung today for dinner. SGD8++ for 10 or was it 12 pieces of Xiao Long Bao, quite a good deal. The Xiao Long Bao(s) were nice (still not even second best as compared to Hong Kong.)
Interesting, they even have a 6 steps guide on 'How to enjoy exquisite Din Tai Fung Xiao Long Bao' on the back of their chopstick cover.
Step 1
Pour vinegar into the small saucer with the ginger
Step 2
Gently lift on dumpling and dip it into the ginger vinegar
Step 3
Place it on a spoon
Step 4
Take a nibble on the dumpling skin and sip the juice
Step 5
Drizzle some vinegar and ginger slices on top of the dumpling
Step 6
Now enjoy it!
Some steps seems a bit redundant to us, perhaps it's more of a guide for the foreigners. Maybe they should do one that teaches them how to use a chopstick first before eating the Xiao Long Bao.
(Got a bit too excited while eating, look at the mess ! )
(Squirted all over the table)
(Who needs sex when you have Xiao Long Bao *hurhur*)
Hello people, been missing in action for a while and now I am back to bring you a Valentine's Day Special! Every 14th February, across the globe, candies, hearts, flowers and love messages are exchanged between loved ones.
How did this day come about? I guess there isn't a definite answer but a little history lesson of Valentine's Day or rather a martyred Saint Valentine should put things into perspective.
As quoted from History.com "According to one legend, Valentine actually sent the first 'valentine' greeting himself. While in prison, it is believed that Valentine fell in love with a young girl -- who may have been his jailor's daughter -- who visited him during his confinement. Before his death, it is alleged that he wrote her a letter, which he signed 'From your Valentine,' an expression that is still in use today. Although the truth behind the Valentine legends is murky, the stories certainly emphasize his appeal as a sympathetic, heroic, and, most importantly, romantic figure." Well at least this explains the "From your Valentine" expression.
Some claimed that Valentine's Day is celebrated in the middle of February to commemorate the anniversary of Saint Valentine's death or burial *how exactly did he die is not clear either*.
In some context, Valentine's Day was like a dating service back then, a day to get paired up with a partner for the year. "According to legend, all the young women in the city would place their names in a big urn. The city's bachelors would then each choose a name out of the urn and become paired for the year with his chosen woman. These matches often ended in marriage". Interesting, it's just like a husband/wife "lottery" system.
Some see February as a month of Romance as it is the beginning of bird's mating season and some see it as cupid's busy day.
So to all you love birds out there, Happy Valentines Day! Do treasure your special someone and love him or her for who they are. A relationship is not to be maintained but to be nourished and allowed to grow.
As for the singles out there (like myself), fret not, yes love may be blind but I am sure love will find it's way to your doorstep...*hopefully...Oh please don't land up at some other people's doorstep before mine*
A Quote to everyone,
"... love is rare indeed - for to be a lover will require that you continually have the subtlety of the very wise, the flexibility of the child, the sensitivity of the artist, the understanding of the philosopher, the acceptance of the saint, the tolerance of the scholar and the fortitude of the certain."-- Leo Buscaglia
Can't wait to dive into my desserts!
