happy 冬！
22/12/2009
Move over Autumn, Winter is here. I think it odd that Winter begins at the solstice (I grew up thinking it straddled the solstice) but hey. If it works, it works.
The days will now get longer (the way I like it) and will come in handy as the holidays suck energy levels even for the most extroverted.
My attempts at making 汤圆 have yielded some success. The riceballs are edible, though I almost always end up getting more than I started out wanting. Glutinous Rice Flour is a deceptive one, it is. When you think you finally have enough water, it lets on that hey, you actually have too much. Cheeky.
My grandmothers made them riceballs very differently. My paternal grandmother liked the savoury coconut milk “lemak” version. I was never a fan. But she did make really chewy riceballs. I only ate it cos I adored the riceballs.
My maternal grandmother made a simple clear accompanying soup. Just pandan and sugar, or sometimes with ginger. It was clear that the star of the dish was the riceball. However, her riceballs weren’t as sultry as other grandmother’s, who sort of relegated those riceballs to the supporting role.
Nonetheless. 冬 was always a good time, cos they didn’t make me riceballs any other time of the year.
I make my own riceballs now, and they’re turning out like maternal grandma’s: a little less firm and chewy. But at least I don’t have to share them with countless cousins. Ha!
Happy Winter!
