Wednesday, February 9, 2011

CNY Day 4 – Potluck at my neighbors’ home

Last Sunday, we had a potluck dinner at my neighbors, Andrew and Annie’s home.  There are four families and each cooked a dish or two for the dinner. Dr. Hall brought some great wines and his wife, Dr. Lee cooked one of the famous Peranakan dish “Ju Hu Cha”.  Another neighbor, Mr. Meta share with us a bottle of fine champagne, Mrs. Meta brought curry chicken, while I made three dishes, garlic yellow squash, roasted butternut squash with rosemary and thyme and deep fried prawn in tamarind sauce. The host made two favorite Hakka dishes, stew pork belly and yam and braised pork belly with wood’s ear bean curd sauce. There were all very delicious. 

We all enjoyed the dinner and the company especially when we had Uncle Meta telling us so many funny stories.  He is such an adorable guy, his stories made me laugh so hard that my jaw hurts.  Both Mr. and Mrs. Meta are in their eighties who has just celebrated their Golden Wedding anniversary. What a charming couple!  It warms my heart to see such a loving couple growing old together. They truly enjoys each other company, love life and find humor and laugh at anything positive or negative.  I saw Uncle Meta laughed at his aches and pain and cracked jokes about it instead of whining. He did not let that deter him from spending good times with his friends. I marvel at his positive attitude towards life. Oh and he is a lucky man because Mrs. Meta is a gorgeous lady and a good cook.

I think it is very important to know our neighbors and be on friendly basis with them because they are the closest friends in distance to us.  During times of emergency, neighbors can definitely fill in the need.  There were many times in the past when I was in need of help, my neighbors came to my rescue. So, do not just leave your house, drove off and then when you come home, go straight into your house and don’t even say “hello” to your neighbors.  Socialize with them, be their caring friends but not a nosy one. LOL!  I said,  friends nearby is worth two far away. Do you agree? 


Once I gather the recipes from all the foods in the picture, I will definitely share with you all. 

Top pic: roasted butternut squash with rosemary and thyme, bottom pic: deep fried prawn in tamarind sauce

Left pic: Ju hu Cha, right top pic: curry chicken, right center: stew pork belly and yam, right bottom: deep fried prawn in tamarind sauce

23 comments:

  1. This is my kind of pot luck! All the dishes look and sound yummy, it's hard to pic a fav :)

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  2. Your stories and photos are always great! I've enjoyed reading your blog and have awarded you a "Stylish Blogger Award"! Check it out at http://yummychunklet.wordpress.com/2011/02/08/another-stylish-blogger-award/

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  3. The Ju Hu Cha looks like filling for Nyonya wrap-it-yourself popiah?

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  4. I love seeing old couples celebrate their love for each other. When I see old couples holding hands going for a walk, it melts my heart and I can't help but think, "I hope hubby and I will be like them when we grow old".
    Totally agree with you about the neighbors as well. I'm lucky to have really friendly neighbors. Our kids are about the same age too. All the food looks delicious. Can't wait for the recipes!

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  5. arent potlucks wonderful...I love them:)

    cheers my friend

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  6. I love pot luck meals they somehow always turn out to be extra tasty. Diane

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  7. Lucky pot luck dinner attendees:) Delicious selection

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  8. Potlucks are great fun. And indeed, it's always nice to be on friendly terms with neighbours!

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  9. Potlucks are always great. Love seeing what other people make! And chances are they're probably better than mine haha. What a wonderful display of delicious looking food! I'm sure you all had a great time stuffing yourselves :D lol.

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  10. What a wonderful gathering...and the photos are superbly put together.

    I do agree about the issue on quality (not quantity) concerning the great company we keep. As time goes by, this has become very important to me...especially when our lives are so very busy ;o)

    Thanks for sharing your happiness with us.

    Ciao for now,
    Claudia

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  11. I wish you could be our neighbor, awesome dishes

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  12. Your photos are incredible and the food must have been out of this world. What a wonderful gathering.

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  13. Oh btw, I have a giveaway going on my blog right now for Chinese cooking products, would love if you can participate! :)

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  14. Drooling over all your yummy dishes!

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  15. great neighbours, great food and nice pictures too! May the bunny brings lots of love , joy and happiness to you and your family!

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  16. Friends are family that we choose. It sounds like everyone had a grand time at your pot luck. What fun.

    The food looked amazin' sweetie.

    God bless and have an amazin' day!!! :o)

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  17. Jen, yummychunklet, David, Diane, Three Cookies, Bridgett, Ellie, Swathi: Thanks

    tigerfish: The filling is about the same but in this case, they are wrapped with lettuce.

    lequan, leaf, Foodessa, lena and Nezzy: I am glad you guys agree with me about having good neighbors.

    Sharon: don't underestimate your own cooking, you are doing very well.

    Jen: I will check out your giveaway. Thanks for telling me.

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  18. Wow, what a feast! The food spread look delicious!

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  19. This looks like a very fun site to follow. Nice dishes.

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  20. Lin Ann, Little Corner of mine, Crafty Cat: I really enjoyed pot luck gathering, so many varieties of food to eat and so much fun catching up with each other. With you guys are living near to me so that we too can do that together.

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  21. Before the CNY ends, here's wishing you Gong Xi Fa Cai. Just had some time to breathe. And looking at all these yummy potluck dishes, I thought you might like to join in the fun at my Virtual Potluck Party. Check it out if you're interested: http://pingspickings.blogspot.com/2011/02/virtual-potluck-party-award.html

    Happy Chap Goh Meh!

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  22. How fun! All the potluck dishes look mouth watering. I enjoyed reading this post. Thanks for sharing.

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