Friday, October 23, 2009

All Tied Up - PH

PhotoHunt theme : Tied


a worker making sure the dumplings are tied securely


A stone's throw from my house is a famous restaurant selling yummy glutinous rice dumplings. They are great for breakfast or as a snack any time of the day.

I like to watch the workers tie the wrapped rice dumplings every time I'm there. The girl in the photo has nimble fingers. She wraps and ties one dumpling within 15 seconds!



ingredients for cooking rice dumplings

Now that rice dumpling are easily available, I have stopped making my own. It is more economic to buy the rice dumplings than waste my precious time labouring in the kitchen.

arghhh..... those are my lame excuses, the skill of making sticky rice dumpling was passed from one generation to another. If my son doesn't learn it from me, this traditional skill may be lost one day. 


ECL competing for the fastest rice dumpling maker


I once entered a rice dumpling making competition. I was no match for the other more experienced competitors. It was a fun event and we get to meet people in our neighbourhood.  


A mini rice dumpling

Try a glutinous rice dumpling when you are in Singapore. They have savory or sweet fillings. I like both versions. :)








First Commenter -

54 comments:

YTSL said...

I have to admit... those particular kind of dumplings ("chang", right?) are the kinds whose idea/concept I like but whose taste I like less than I would like -- if you know what I mean! :S

Mariuca said...

Hey ECL, I don think I've tried rice dumplings before!

Mariuca said...

I would love to try both the sweet and savoury ones..yummy!

Mariuca said...

Happy weekend to u!

Photo Cache said...

Oh I'm sure that delicious. Love to try different rice cakes.

Love your creative take on the theme.

jmb said...

I'm first? I don't believe it. I'd better be quick then.

It is amazing how quick these people are and why bother when they do it so much better. Losing the tradition? Well show him how but don't expect him to continue it.

Happy weekend ECL.

Mar said...

You got me very hungry, ECL!!
and never thought it would happen with this week's theme!!
Have a happy one !

stanley said...

I love to try some of the rice dumplings. What is the name and the location of the restaurant which is a stone throw from your house? Happy weekend!

Singapore Short Stories said...

wow so many community buzz

jean said...

Yay Bakchang!!!
I love the sweet version. How I love these dumplings altho one at a time otherwise I end up feeling bloated and quesy.
I also love the nonya(I think) version with blue and white rice.
Its really a yummy Singaporean snack. Wishing you and evryone a nice weekend.

Jama said...

It's no easy task trying to tie those dumpling! I'm still struggling.

Tekkaus said...

All tied up indeed. :) I used to help my mum when to tie the "chang"! :D

Mei Teng said...

Making glutinous rice dumplings is not easy task. Requires skill.

I love eating those dumplings.

EastCoastLife said...

stanley,
It's Kim Choo Bak Chang.

You can contact me if you are coming for these delicious snacks. :)

Oh.... they sell yummy Nonya kuehs too.

EastCoastLife said...

sg short stories,
I'm getting more active in my neighbourhood.

Our general election is coming. I might stand for election. haha....

EastCoastLife said...

Mar,
You know I could put up a post of this theme in the bedroom. It will be just as yummy! hahaha.....

EastCoastLife said...

jean,
Hope you have learnt the skill of making bak changs so you can satisfy your craving in your country of residence :)

Wish I could send some over for you.

In recent years, lots of bak chang fillings, sweet or savoury, have been created. Some creations are amazingly good but some are just commercial products.

I still prefer the ones with traditional fillings.

EastCoastLife said...

Marzie,
There are halal rice dumplings sold in Malaysia ... and Singapore too. You should try one.

Happy weekend!

EastCoastLife said...

jmb,
I feel real sad when gradually my Chinese culture and traditions are lost because people find them cumbersome.

It is hard to maintain such traditions when our young do not want to know their roots.

My son has a duty to learn whether he likes it or not. As a chef, he has no excuse not to know our food history and culture.

EastCoastLife said...

Ayie,
I wish I could send you the rice dumplings. I'm quite proud of my product. :P

It takes hours of hard work to make these rice dumplings but one can be wolfed down in 5 minutes!

For the cook, it is a pleasure to see others enjoying the fruits of her labour. :)

EastCoastLife said...

Photo Cache,
They are yummy snacks. You gotta try one if you come to Singapore.

EastCoastLife said...

YTSL,
There are lots of new creations with weird fillings these days. I prefer to stick to the traditional ones.

I used to adore rice dumplings and compete with my brothers and cousins to see who can eat the most rice dumplings. Now I have to watch my diet. :(

EastCoastLife said...

Mei Teng,
Yes, you need the skill to make a good rice dumpling. And that deters people from learning the skill. :P

EastCoastLife said...

Jama,
Great! You know how to make rice dumplings! With more practice and you would be a pro at tying! :)

EastCoastLife said...

Tekkaus,
Well, kids are curious and usually want to participate in the adult activities. They start by helping (although getting in the way more than helping) and learn something in the process.

You remember those cosy moments with your Mom? You should share that experience with your kids in future.

Bonggamom said...

15 seconds, that's lightning fast. She should compete on one of those cooking shows!

luna miranda said...

very interesting! i didn't know rice dumplings are made this way.

Gattina said...

I think it is the same with pasta. The Italian women don't do it themselves anymore, it's easier to buy it fresh in a shop !

EastCoastLife said...

Luna,
Now that you know, would you like to learn the skill? :P

EastCoastLife said...

Gattina,
Already we aren't having enough time to spend with the family; do what we would love to do, and with the many distractions these days, it is just a waste of time to labour in the kitchen when we can buy the food off the shelves.

We love the convenience of ready-made food.... and the bonus of time saved to do other things.

What's going to become of our culture and tradition? Leave it to the enterprising business people. :)

EastCoastLife said...

Bonggamom,
Gosh. She would beat the other contestants hands down! She's s pro!

EastCoastLife said...

life ramblings,
Come to Singapore, I not only belanja you rice dumplings but our local food as well.

To save time, I buy from the stores too. Too much distractions and too little time. I hardly get to spend much time with my family these days. High price to pay when living in the city. :P

julie said...

I like dumplings! So yummy and filling :)

Happy weekend!

Did you go to the Nuffnang Blog Awards?

jams o donnell said...

Yum! They soubnd great ECL! Happy weekend

CRIZ LAI said...

Aww.. now you are making my saliva dripping all over the floor. The dumplings have been my all-time favorite and now is still the lunar 9th month :P

http://crizcats.blogspot.com/

wenn said...

oh..i love bak chang..

ian said...

sounds like a fun activity; but i'm sure it tastes even better =]

Carver said...

What an interesting post and great for the theme. I love the photographs.

Sassy Mom said...

Looks like you're all tied up there. Yummmy. I love those!

Thanks for dropping by...

oceanskies79 said...

I will be one of those people who have yet to learn how to wrap dumplings.

There are so many things to learn. How does one learn to listen to one's heart, to learn what is most important?

Bengbeng said...

ECL u r an amazing woman. is there anything u cannot do?

lina said...

Hmmm.. haven't found a Halal dumpling yet. The ones sold at Jusco were all non-Halal. :(

chubskulit said...

I love the third pic, so happy!

Mine can be found here

Alice Audrey said...

Why are they tied?

Gran said...

These look very good!

the donG said...

i thought it's just here that has rice dumplings. quite interesting how our culture crosses.

boh.tak.chek. said...

would love to experience watching you tie the rice dumplings by hand, ECL

Liz said...

I would love to taste those dumplings, the sweet ones especially.

tigerfish said...

Dumpling festival, meh?

RennyBA's Terella said...

What a great contribution to the theme!

I'm glad to hear you pass on these food traditions to your son and it looks and sounds delicious quite exotic to a Norwegian you know :-)

levian said...

15 seconds! imagine her tying that every single day, gosh. she has gotten so good at it! i haven't fully learn how to make a perfect dumpling from my mum either. :p

Race said...

looks like fun doing that! i will surely like to do and learn that also! nice take for the theme!

http://racelyn.com/2009/10/ph184-tied-air-balloon-ride.html

Napaboaniya.Elaine Ling said...

You got me craving for those bak zhangs!!
Reminds me of another post you made some time back. Tied bounded feet.

Pete said...

wow, very long time I haven't seen people tie dumplings.