For those who actually "brought" their departed family members back home by setting up an ancestral altar, it is easier for us to be closer to them. Hence we could easily enjoy reunion dinner with our departed ancestors during the various festivals that we celebrate. Just like Qing Ming festival, we will also have a feast with our departed loved ones one day before Chinese New Year. So did you have a great time with them?
Reunion Dinner With Our Departed Ancestors
Unlike other families who prefer not to set up an ancestral altar, we are more than grateful to have their presence in our daily life. It's not a hassle at all and in fact, I would feel uneasy not being able to have that connection in my life. I am glad that my late mother could still be with me all the time especially during festivals such as our lunar new year. Of course, this ancestral altar will also allow other ancestors to visit your home too. It's like a gateway to heaven. Ha 😁
Cooking requires time, effort and of course skills
The secret sauce 😍
So a day before Chinese New Year, we will be waking up early to make preparation for our reunion dinner with our ancestors. Then again it is not dinner as per se, instead, we had reunion "luncheon". It is believed that the best prosperous hours to have a meal with our departed ones will be from 10a.m. till around 1p.m. Hence we had to start really early.
My wife is an awesome chef!
Technically, my wife is the only competent chef who could whip out our delicious meals in our family. I could only help her with the washing and any menial tasks which do not require any of my zero cooking skills. So I am my wife's sidekick in the kitchen. It was indeed a busy day for my wife as she had to wake up early to cook 7 different dishes for our ancestors to enjoy.
Do you have to have some?
It was a time-consuming task even though she was using her electric stoves, an air fryer plus a pressure cooker. Equipped with her dexterity with knives, adept cooking skills and incredible taste buds, she completed her mission in the kitchen way ahead of our schedule. Soon my late mother and our ancestors "could be seen" walloping their feast. They would take their own sweet time to enjoy their reunion "dinner" while catching up with each other. Ha 😀
I am sure my late mother and ancestors had a feast!
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Spicy Curry Chicken |
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Prawn and Fish Ball Masak Lemak |
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Chicken Ponteh |
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Black Bean Soup With Wolfberry |
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Mixed Vegetables |
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Succulent Prawns Omelette |
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Deep Fried Fish |
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Crispy Roasted Pork |
Daddy accompanying his wife and ancestors
So what did my wife cooked for them? They had spicy curry chicken, lemak prawn and fish balls, ponteh, black beans soup, omelette with prawns, mixed vegetables and fish with sambal. We also ordered the must-have roasted pork, KFC fried chickens and Musang King durian that my late mother loved to indulge in. I am sure she had a filling, scrumptious meal with us. It feels really good to still be able to share a table with your departed ones, right?
Let's enjoy our reunion dinner.
Of course, I have to thank my wife who took all the trouble to prepare this feast for us. We could just order food for our prayers but my wife insisted on cooking for our ancestors personally. Nothing beats warming your stomach with home-cooked food. Thank you to my wife for her effort. Indeed a woman who can cook is the most beautiful woman. So did you guys enjoy your reunion dinner with your ancestors who had returned home?
That sure was a delightful meal. God bless your mum's soul, may she rest in peace. I can see the Peranakan/nyonya influence in some of the dishes. I sure would enjoy all of them!
ReplyDeleteA Blessed & Happy Chinese New Year of the Ox to you, your missus and your lovely kids and to your dad too.
Thanks. We did enjoy everything! You too. Happy Chinese new year to you and your family. :)
DeleteThe food spread looks delicious. Your wife is indeed a wonderful woman.
ReplyDeleteHappy Chinese New Year to you and your lovely family, Chris.
Yes she is. Thanks. :)
DeleteHappy Chinese new year to you and your family too.
Wow Tekkaus! I must salute your wife! This morning I cook 3 dishes and I am so tired now... but then I am an elderly lady la... 60 years old already, cannot compare to your young wife! hahahaha... Enjoy and Happy CNY to you and family!!
ReplyDeleteYeah. Your children should be the ones cooking for you. But yeah that is impossible due to the pandemic. I am sue they can cook for you next year.
DeleteHappy CNY to you and your family! Wow! So many delicious dishes.
ReplyDeleteYupe! Chinese New Year is all about makan non-stop. :D
DeleteHello Tekkaus,
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely family you have, your wife is a good cook so many delicious food she prepared.
Thank you very much. Yes we did have a feast. :)
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