Gingersnaps

With the arrival of the spice-ships in Europe in the 17th century, bakers started experimenting with spices. Fresh ginger, which never made it into Dutch savoury cooking, found it's way into its baking. Even today, gingerbread with chunks of candied ginger, is a breakfast delight. We had company last night and I baked these delicious gingersnaps to go with ice cream.

Gingersnaps
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
1/2 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
1 1/4 cups packed dark-brown sugar
1/4 cup molasses
2 tablespoon finely grated, peeled ginger one 3-inch piece
1 large egg
1/4 cup granulated sugar

In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, cloves, pepper, and salt; set aside.

In a large bowl, beat butter, brown sugar, molasses, and ginger on medium-high speed until light and fluffy. Beat in the egg until smooth and combined. Add flour mixture, and beat on low until just combined. Transfer dough to a bowl and wrap in plastic; refrigerate until well chilled, about 1 hour or overnight.

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F, with racks in the centre and lower third. Line two large baking sheets with parchment paper. Shape dough into 1-inch balls. Place granulated sugar in a shallow bowl; roll balls in sugar until completely coated, and place about 2 inches apart on the prepared sheets as the cookies spread. Makes about 36 cookies.

Bake, rotating sheets halfway through until cookies are deep golden all over and centres are firm, 15-18 minutes or 20 minutes for crisper cookies. Transfer cookies to a wire rack to cool. A tin container will keep cookies crisp.

Dr Yat-sen Gardens in Vancouver

The Dr.Sun Yat-Sen Garden Society incorporated in 1981 is a non-profit and self-sustained organisation. It is to promote Chinese Culture in the local community. 

This centrally located garden serves as a bridge between Chinese and Canadian culture.

 Funding for the garden came from the Chinese Government, private individuals, corporate financing and Canadian Government.


This Chinese Garden created in 1985 to 1986 using principles and techniques of an original Ming dynasty garden.

The fifty-two master craftsman from Suzhou China along with local experts completed this magnificent garden within a year.

The woodwork of the intricate hallways and walkway assembled in the long-established method with precise joinery and an absence of nails, screws and glue.

Within the walls and in the heart of the city we can find a little heaven, away from the hustle and bustle of the growing city. There are peace and tranquillity among the tall bamboos and the koi carps in the pond. 

The Chairman Mao Memorial Hall

 

For the second time, I decide to bypass the mausoleum of Mao Zedong the final resting place of Mao, Chairman of the Communist Party of China. People line up for hundreds of meters every day to pay tribute to their former Great Helmsman. Flowers for this occasion can be purchased at the entrance and conveniently located at the exit are the souvenir shops. I also decided to forgo the miniature glass coffin as a souvenir.

Although Mao’s wishes were for a cremation, his body was instead embalmed. The decision for embalming seems to be an afterthought, as no preparations were in place. They wanted him displayed in the style of Lenin; so that the People could view him and pay tribute. 

The People were unfamiliar with this undertaking of embalming and were not on friendly terms with the Russians, who held knowledge of the process.  Initially approaching Vietnam for help with the result of a crystal display coffin developed locally. The original proposal was to use the glass coffin the USSR had provided for Sun Yat-sen after his death in 1925. The coffin was unusable as Mao was taller by two inches. The crystal coffin had nickel-plated sides and made viewing limited and unacceptable by the Chineses authorities.  

A decision was made to have a suitable coffin of crystal manufactured locally, something not attempted before. There was a completion throughout China for the best coffin design.

The delay caused complications and caused shrinkage of the corpse. Some claim that Mao is a wax sculpture, placed over the actual body.

He Zizhen, Mao’s third wife, was initially barred from visiting the mausoleum but was finally allowed a single secret visit with unrealistic restrictions. She was not authorized to cry nor make any noise inside and prohibited to speak to the press. 

As for the Russian, embalming has always been a piece of cake.

Dr Yat-sen Sun

 Yat-Sen Sun was born in Kwangtung Province, China in 1866 and died in 1925 in Peking China.

He was the first president of the Republic of China. He is respected by all Chinese people, Nationalist and Communists alike and is officially called “Father of the Nation” also “Father of the Fatherland".

He received his medical training at the Hong Kong College of Medicine, the predecessor of the University of Hong Kong.

He had a traditional arranged marriage by the age of 18 to Lu Mu-chen and she was the mother of his three children. 

His second marriage took place in Tokyo to Soong Ch’ing-ling in 1914 but Dr Sun had not divorced his first wife and Soong Ch’ing-ling remained his constant companion till the end of his life.

The Doctor was the personal friend of V.I. Lenin and Joseph Stalin. Even though a Christian and baptized in Hawaii, he supported the Soviet cause. 

His crystal coffin was donated by Joseph Stalin but was not used. By the time it arrived in Beijing Dr Yat-sen Sun was already buried.

His “Three  Principles of the People”  which included nationalism, people's livelihood and civil rights was inspired by Abraham Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address - “of the people, by the people, for the people.

Flowering Tea 香片, 工艺茶, or 开花茶

One of the world’s oldest ingredients and most popular beverages is tea. There are many legends about the origin of tea and it's discovery, but it is likely to have originated in Yunnan, China during the Shang Dynasty (1500 to 1046 BC).  The Portuguese priests became aware of Tea and its merchants in China during the sixteenth century. It found its way to Britain during the seventeenth century and Britain launched tea growing to India to compete with the Chinese monopoly on tea production. 

Among the many varieties of tea, the most visually appealing are the flowering teas. These consist of bundles of dried tea leaves wrapped around one or more dried flowers.

 Once these bulbs are made they are set to dry, and they remain in a bud shape. To fully enjoy the visual effect, a glass teapot is a must.

Steeping the bulb it slowly unfurls and a flowering centrepiece appears. Flowers commonly utilised for these bulbs are globe amaranth, chrysanthemum, jasmine, lily, hibiscus and osmanthus.

After our small dinner gatherings, there is usually someone wanting tea. We all watch with delight as the flower opens and blooms.

Beijing

Birds of a feather sing together.

Strolling along the narrow streets of Beijing, looking into backyard one can always see and hear birds. Not so much in the trees but mostly in cages. Some are myna birds other thrushes, all in metal or bamboo cages suspended from a gutter or a tree. 

In the heart of Beijing on some street corners or a park, the ageing bird-men meet every morning.

With an early rise, the Birdman unhooks the cage and takes it for a walk to the nearest gathering point. Their proud possession, the birds, get to swing on their perch till they reach the familiar sounds of the other birds. Among the tweets, the covers from the cages get unzipped and the cages join the others suspended on lines or hooks in the trees. The birds seem to know one another and a chatter follows.

Below the cages the birdmen gather to play cards, smoke, chat, catch up on gossip and local news, relax and talk about birds, after all, birds of a feather stick together.

In the time of the Qing dynasty, around the 19th century, royals were entertaining themselves by raising fish, watch cricket fights and bird watching. Bird raising considered a civilised hobby and it soon caught on by the commoners.

Added to the skyline of Beijing, for the Olympic Games, is The Birds Nest Stadium.  At a cost of $423 million US Dollars and was built by a Swiss architecture firm for its opening on 28 June 2008.  It structure certainly is intriguing and altogether different from any of the architecture in the area. Bird nests are lucky in Chinese folklore and there is an ongoing debate about the future of the Birds Nest Stadium.

BEIJING

The colours of China

The shelves stocked with a consistency of patterns that have been around forever. Making it easy to add to your collection of dishes. Extra lids are available as well as ceramic spoons all part of an open stock.

Souvenirs of Moa in bust forms or standing up in salute and pens for any occasion.

There are Mao alarm clocks and even ones without Mao.

The traditional Blue and white vases are plentiful and come in all sizes.

Home temples supplies to whichever God or deity you want to worship.

A multitude of furniture from lacquered to bamboo or the more expensive rosewood.

Well stocked herbalists with endless supplies for whatever might ail you.

Paper in the form of umbrellas, lanterns and party supplies.

Traditional tea rooms with decoratively carved Rosewood furniture

 The Tea Merchants

All of these photos are from Chinatown, Vancouver where the colours of China are in full bloom.

For All The Tea In China

Ancient China, the birthplace of Tea and its history going back almost 5,000 years.

According to legends, in 2732 BC mythical Emperor Shennong discovered tea when leaves from a wild tree blew into his pot of boiling water. These myths are amusing as it is mostly the Emperor that find amazing things.

In addition to using tea for its medicinal and healing properties, its popularity grew rapidly through the 4th and 8th century and became valued as a pleasurable refreshment.

Tea plantations spread throughout China and Tea became a status symbol with its presentation in elegant pots and cups.

Tea Merchants appeared, controlling the prices which only made it available to the upper class.

The Chinese Empire controlled the preparation and cultivation of the crop along with specifications that only young virgins could handle the leaves. They were placed on a diet, avoiding strong spices and garlic, so not to contaminate the delicate flavour of the leaves, as the leaves were picked with their lips. Later it became a bit absurd when a C-cup bra size became a requirement

Before the 17th century, the tea in China was only Green tea.

Tall ships with foreign merchants started to appear on the horizon more frequently with an interest in Tea.

A fermentation process developed, preserving the leaves with its result of Black Tea. The dried Black Tea kept the aroma longer and was better equipped for long sea journeys mostly to Europe.