Shredded Pork with Green Peppers

Ingredients:
300 grams (0.66 lb) pork tenderloin
100 grams (0.22 lb) green peppers
5 grams (5/6 tsp) salt
1 gram (1/4 tsp) MSG
10 grams (1 1/2 tbsp) dry cornstarch
10 grams (2 tsp) mixture of cornstarch and water
100 grams (7 tbsp) cooking oil
1 egg white
10 grams (2 tsp) cooking wine
25 grams (1 1/2 tbsp) water

Directions:
1. Cut the meat into shreds 6 cm (2.4 inches) long and 0.3 cm (0. 12 inch) thick and wide. Put in a bowl. Add 1 g (1/6 tsp) of salt and stir until mixture becomes sticky. Add the egg white and dry cornstarch and mix well. Cut the green peppers into shreds of similar size to the meat.

2. Heat the oil to 110-135 °C (230-275° F) and stir-fry the pork shreds until they are done. Take out and drain off the oil.

3. Put 25 g (1 2/3 tbsp) of oil in the wok and stir-fry the shredded green peppers for 1 minute. Add the shredded pork, cooking wine, salt, MSG and water, and bring to boiling point. Put in the mixture of cornstarch and water to thicken the sauce. Take out and serve.

Features: The meat is white with a light pink tinge, while the peppers are invitingly green.
Taste: The shredded pork is tender and the green peppers crispy. The dish is salty to the right taste.

Hong Kong

Geography

Hong Kong, with an area of 1071.8 square kilometers, is a Special Administrative Region of China since China resumed its sovereignty from the British Government on July 1, 1997. It is situated in the south of the Chinese mainland, neighboring Shenzhen City and 130 kilometers away from Guangzhou City of Guangdong Province. It consists of Hong Kong Island, Kowloon and the New Territories

To the west, Hong Kong is separated by the Pearl River estuary, facing Macao and Zhuhai City; and to the east and south, it is overlooking the vast South China Sea. Relying on such advantageous geographical position, Hong Kong has now developed into an economic center in Asia.

Climate

Hong Kong has a sub-tropical monsoonal climate, with a mean annual temperature of 22oC and a mean annual precipitation of 2,225 mm, sometimes over 3,000 mm. It is frequently visited by typhoons and tropical storms in summer and autumn.

Population

Hong Kong has a population of 6.78 million as of 2000, among which, 97.5% are Chinese. And among the aliens, the Philippines people constitute the overwhelming majority, the Americans, Britons and Indians and others come second. The daily language used among the Hong Kong residents is mainly Cantonese (Guangdong dialect). The official languages being used are Chinese and English. 

Brief Introduction

Hong Kong is a Special Administration Region of China since China resumed its sovereignty from the British Government on July 1, 1997. Hong Kong (Xianggang in mandarin), named the Pearl of Orient, got the name from its river Xiang River. As early as 4,000 years ago, Chinese ancestors had already settled in this area. During the Tang Dynasty (618-907), the imperial army was once stationed here. 

From 1842 to 1898, the British aggressors forcibly occupied the Hong Kong Island, Kowloon and the New Territories one after another and the Hong Kong region became a British colony and was ruled by the British. On December 19, 1984, the Government of the People’s Republic of China and the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland signed the Joint Declaration on the Question of Hong Kong. And on July 1, 1997, China resumed the exercise of sovereignty over Hong Kong, thus Hong Kong has returned anew to the embrace of the motherland.

Hong Kong today is a flourishing international metropolis, and the gold trading market and financial center as important as New York, London and Zurich. It is also the free port of the Far East and one of the centers for trade and hipping in Asia-Pacific region.

The Hong Kong Island is the most thriving place of the whole of Hong Kong and is also the seat of the Hong Kong Government bodies. On both sides of the streets, there are flourishing commercial towers and shopping centers, offices of the world famous financial bodies, shipping institutions and the headquarters of trade companies, and consulates of various countries and regions. The renowned Deep Water Bay and Repulse Bay are all located here, which are Hong Kong’s mainly tourist area and residential quarters of the first class.

Kowloon is one of the centers of industrial and commercial activities and one of the world busiest airports — the Kai Tak international airport is located at Kowloon. The Victoria Harbor, one of the three natural deep-water harbors of the world, is situated between the Kowloon Peninsula and the Hong Kong Island. By utilizing the excellent advantages, Hong Kong has gradually developed into one of the world shipping centers.

During the past several decades, the economy of Hong Kong has undergone an extremely rapid development and its economic strength is getting momentum with each passing day, thus forming six great pillars of industries — trade, finance, manufacture, shipping, real estate and tourism. Big companies and banking corporations of many countries throughout the world have come to Hong Kong for trade. Every year there are several million tourists coming to Hong Kong for visit and thousands of huge ships coming in and out of Hong Kong harbors, and everyday there are hundreds of airplanes taking off and landing in Hong Kong international airport.

In the commercial towers and shopping centers, you will find exquisite merchandise, a feast for the eyes. It looks as if international fairs of merchandise from various countries throughout the world were held here everyday.

Hong Kong’s communications are highly developed, with subway and ground railway, highway, undersea tunnels, motorway interchange, viaduct, ferry and airport like a piece of huge network knitting the whole city together.

Hong Kong is a city for tourism, which is known as a fine place for “visits, shopping and recreation”.

14th Feb 2010 – Chinese New Year And Valentine’s Day

As Chinese New Year this year falls on Valentine’s Day, many young people may have to forgo candlelight dinners and balik kampung separately. Farmers and florists too may be adversely affected by the double celebration.

FAMILY or romance – that is the “dilemma” many Chinese dating couples are facing this year as Valentine’s Day falls on the first day of Chinese New Year.

Candlelight dinners may be quite impossible especially for the love birds who have to balik kampung separately to celebrate the Year of the Tiger and even delivering a bouquet of roses may be difficult or more expensive as florists and delivery men take their festive holidays.

For married couples who tied the knot on Valentine’s Day, it is going to be a double celebration – Chinese New Year and the wedding anniversary.

Unfortunately, those who plan to register their marriage on that auspicious day may face some difficulty: traditionally, the first day of Chinese New Year is an auspicious day, but not for weddings.

Sinologist Lai Kuan Fook says the first day of Chinese New Year is for reunions and not a day to get married. For sure, your family may join you in the celebration but your close friends will certainly be miles away in their hometown for the reunion dinner.

A check with the Federation of Chinese Associations Malaysia (Hua Zong) and the Klang Hokkien Association shows that the two will not be registering marriages for Chinese couples this Valentine’s Day. The date has been a popular choice in the past.

However, the renowned Thean Hou Temple in Kuala Lumpur will break tradition and remain open on the first day of Chinese New Year to register marriages.

“This is due to the many requests from members of the public,” a staff handling the registration of marriage explains. So far, about 30 couples have signed up.

The number, however, is small compared to last year’s where 236 couples signed their wedding papers on Valentine’s Day.

The Tokong Chee Teong Beow at Jalan Tun Perak in Malacca will also be open on the first day of Chinese New Year to allow couples to register their marriage on Feb 14.

“This is to fulfil the requests of many who want to register on Valentine’s Day. We will have to sacrifice our day off to do the registration,” says Liew, an assistant. However, they will only do the registration and not the ceremony, she adds.

“It is still all right to do the registration as it is not a proper wedding ceremony without the tea-offering ritual and wedding dinner.”

A check with florists and farmers shows that they may have to be content with lower revenue this year as the two seasons when they normally make good money – Chinese New Year and Valentine’s Day – are now merged into one.

Flowers for Chinese New Year and those for lovers would have to be sold at the same time and this does not bode well for business.

Yong Leong Meng, the executive secretary of Cameron Highlands Flori-Culturalist Association, predicts a 40% drop in revenue this year due to the 2-in-1 celebration as orders for both occasions have started to come in.

Farmers will have to cope with orders for roses for Valentine’s Day as well as orders for Chinese New Year, such as chrysanthemum, gladiolus and lilium.

“Roses are likely to be even more expensive than in the previous year,” he says.

The ex-farm price for a dozen roses on a normal day is RM6 but it can go up to RM25 during the Valentine’s Day season.

Yong says it may hit RM30 this year, or even more.

Annie Chua from Alice Florist in Malacca says they will still offer delivery service and the shop will remain open on the first day of Chinese New Year, which is unprecedented. After all, Valentine’s Day is celebrated by all races and not only the Chinese.

For the locals, it is still possible to receive a bouquet of flowers on that romantic day.

“The only thing is that we will have to make sure the recipient is present at the address stated for delivery,” Chua says.

For those living in Kuala Lumpur, this would be quite impossible as most people would have left the city either to celebrate the new year in their hometowns or for holidays elsewhere.

The Year of the Tiger symbolises vibrancy, according to Lai. But some Chinese do not think it is a good year as the first day will fall after the start of Spring on Feb 4, which is known as lichun in the Chinese calendar. To them, the Year of the Tiger will be without lichun, which marks the start of spring when farmers plant the seeds.

With that in mind, many Chinese couples are rushing to have their wedding receptions before the Year of the Tiger starts.

But according to Angus Kong, a feng shui and I-Ching scholar, “People planning their wedding date should just look at their time and date of birth and they should be able to find a good day to get married even in the Year of the Tiger.”

Chinese Painting – The Four Friends

Traditional Chinese painting is based on the Four Friends - or the Four Gentlemen as they are sometimes called because the scholars who founded the literary style respected and identified with their characteristics.

Plum Blossom

The hardy winter flower and the first to come into bloom, year after year, symbolising constancy in love. The contortions of the wild plum resemble a fierce dragon and when it is cultivated, the Chinese often prune it to accentuate this image.

 Orchid

The fragrant wild orchid that grows beside water deep in the woodland is the epitome of femininity and serene beauty in the shadows of obscurity. It was seen as the scholar’s sweetheart, the curving spikes of flowers symbolising a modest maiden washing her hair.

Bamboo

Sturdy, upright and vigorous, but with humility. The Chinese symbol often used to represent the joints of the bamboo also means living a virtuous life, and its hollow stems are a reminder that there is always room to acquire more knowledge.

Chrysanthemum

The emblem of China that goes on flowering in a blaze of colour long after summer flowers have faded, defying the onset of winter. Its strong bright blooms are seen as a triumph of hope over adversity

Kung Pao Chicken

Today, I am sharing with you a popular Chinese recipe that is well-loved by many in the United States and all over the world–the famous Chinese Kung Pao Chicken.

Recipe: Kung Pao Chicken

Ingredients:

1 1/2 boneless & skinless chicken breast (or 3 boneless & skinless chicken drumsticks)
3 tablespoons roasted peanuts
8-12 dried red chilies (deseeded and cut into halves)
3 tablespoons cooking oil
5 slices peeled fresh ginger
2 gloves garlic (sliced diagonally)
1 stalk scallion (chopped)

For the marinate:

1 tablespoon corn starch
2 teaspoons soy sauce
1 tablespoon Shaoxing wine
1 teaspoon oil

For the sauce:

1 1/2 tablespoon light soy sauce
1 teaspoon dark soy sauce
1 teaspoon sugar
1/4 teaspoon black vinegar
2 tablespoons water
1 teaspoon corn starch

Method:

1.Cut the chicken meat into small cubes, rinse in water, pat dry with water and marinate with the ingredients above for 30 minutes.
2.Mix the sauce ingredients in a small bowl and set aside.
3.Heat up a wok with one tablespoon cooking oil and stir-fry the marinated chicken until they are 70% cook. Dish out and set aside.
4.Clean the wok and add in the remaining 2 tablespoons of cooking oil until it smokes.
5.Add in the ginger and garlic slices and do a quick stir before adding in the dried red chilies.
6.Stir fry the dried red chilies until aromatic and they smell spicy, then add in the chicken meat.
7.Do a quick stir before adding in the roasted peanuts and continue to stir a few times.
8.Add in the sauce and stir continuously until the chicken meat is nicely coated with the sauce.
9.Add in the scallions and stir evenly.
10.Dish out and serve hot with steamed white rice.

Cook’s Notes:

1.You can use the same recipe and substitute chicken with shrimp, scallops, or even vegetables for a vegetarian dish.
2.As different soy sauce tastes differently and has different level of sodium so please adjust the saltiness accordingly. If the sauce tastes too salty, add some more sugar and water. If it’s not salty, add a little salt to taste.