Wedding Customs

I have a childhood friend who is getting married next week. Actually, in the "government's perspective", she's already married. Next week is the customs that a Chinese would need to go through (i.e. jimui session, stepping out of the bride's family house, tea ceremony) and, of course, the "compulsory" wedding dinner.

My mom and I had a fun chat with her as she talked about the items that she needs to buy for the wedding. For example, a potty for the room, a red umbrella for her to use so she can walk from her house to the car, a red bedsheet, some "lin zhi" and a bedside lamp. She questioned her mom on why these are needed for a wedding. Her mother had no idea but insisted that she follows "what other people are doing" for "good luck".

My mom had some knowledge about the customs and gave some insights:
1) A roasted pig as a gift during "ko tai lai" from the groom's family - In China, it means 2 things:
i) A whole pig with its meat and bones means although the daughter is now under the care of the groom's family, she is still the flesh and bone of her own family.
ii) Symbolises that the bride is still a virgin

2) Potty in the room - In ancient times, the toilet would be far away. It is more convenient to have a potty in the room so that the newly-weds would not need to walk off during their first night.

3) Red umbrella - Most probably, it is to avoid demons from possessing the bride.

Although some customs hold logical sense, some are purely superstitions.
Mom gave my friend some wise words. She told her that following all the customs blindly, especially the superstitious ones, will not promise a good and blessed marriage. At the end of the day, if the couple is not able to love and give it all, the marriage will still be over. Only God can grant a blessed marriage, given that we walk in His obedience.


Some say, "it is better to just follow the customs than to bring bad luck upon myself". Well, I have heard and seen newly married couples ended up in divorce and separation. They, too, abided to all these customs.
Should we just follow such superstitions blindly? What's your view?

What are some of the customs that you had to follow? Do you know their purpose? :)

SY

Nestum Diced Chicken

Ingredients:-
1. 2 cups of nestums
2. 400 g chicken breast - diced
3. 1 egg - lightly beaten. 
4. 1 tbsp osyter sauce - to marinade 


Method :-


1. Dice the chicken breast meat.

2. Marinade with 1 tbsp of osyter sauce, overnight. 

3. Lightly beat 1 egg. 

4. Pour 2 cups of nestum on the plate. 

5. Dip the diced chicken breast into the lightly beaten egg.

6. Coat the meat with nestum till well covered. 

7. Fry the chicken on medium heat by batches till golden brown. 

8. Dish out and serve! ; ) 

Simple is it not? Trust me, it's absolutely delicious! 

p/s: I'm biased. I'm a big fan of nestum. Hehe. 

Enjoy cooking! 

KG

Hearty Potatoes Meat Stew

I love this dish since I was young ! Thanks to my mommy for passing down the recipe of this dish to me. 

Main Ingredients : 

1.  2 medium sized potatoes

2. 400 g pork fillet 

3. Few slices of ginger

4. Minced garlic

5. Sauce : 2 tbsp of osyter sauce, 2 tsp of soya sauce, 1/2 tsp of dark soya sauce, 3 tbsp of water (taste to your liking).  

Method : 

1. Marinate the pork fillet with osyter sauce with a little sprinkle of pepper, overnight. 

2. Deep fry the potatoes for about 5 minutes and dish out (if you fry potatoes longer than the recommended time, consider reducing the stewing time lest the potatoes becomes too soft). 

 3. Heat 2 tablespoon of the remaining oil in a frying pan, add the minced garlic and ginger. Cook over medium heat for about 2-3 minutes of until just golden. 

3. Add in the meat and fry about 1- 2 minutes 

4. Return the potatoes back to the pan. 

 5. Add in the sauce mixture. 

 6. Stew it for 20 minutes with lid covered. Stir every 5 minutes.

7. Dish out and serve hot with white rice & leafy green vege! 

Enjoy! 

 KG