Remembering Qu Yuan

It's the 5th day of the 5th moon today (7 June) and guess who's knocking at your door? None other than Patriotic Poet, Qu Yuan!

It's a 2,000-year-old tradition celebrated nationwide in China to remember the ancient poet Qu Yuan, who committed suicide out of love for his country.  The legend of the Patriotic Poet is well known to everyone and this festival, also known as the Dragon Boat Festival, is celebrated not only in China but around the world by the Chinese.

Over here, there is much enthusiasm among dumpling makers to come up with new twists of the original  Nonya dumpling ("bak chang"). People like being innovative and some of these "new style" dumplings are actually very pretty works of art and probably good to eat as well, albeit one or two "new" fillings have been frowned upon by some true-blue Nonya "bak chang" lovers.  

Call me conservative or unadventurous but I still prefer the traditional savoury or half-savoury half-sweet dumplings which my Grandma used to make.  

Whichever you prefer, just old or old with new, have a great day and enjoy your dumplings!