Happy Chinese New Year of The Dog...

Happy New Year to my friends, family and followers! 

May love, happiness and success follow you throughout the year of the Dog!

Resharing from my brother Marten Go over on his site Preserved Dragons:

So what does the year of the dog have in store for us?

2018 will be a year of blossoming, to achieve things, and to thrive-- PD. Furthermore, from what I've read: "Dog is a true companion, associated with loyalty, honesty, intelligence, and a strong sense of right and wrong. In other words, this year of the Dog may see people fighting for the causes they believe in. This influence could manifest itself as large-scale political movements or something as simple as local community work and small acts of kindness." With how things are going around the world, it certainly is shaping up that way.

Note: Those born in the Year of the Rabbit, will have the best year, followed by those born in the Year of the Tiger and Year of the Horse. People born in the years of the dragon, sheep and rooster are expected to have a difficult time. And those born in the Year of the Dog, should pay attention to your health due to the risk of burnout.-- PD

Photo Credit: Preserved Dragons

Preparing for a BeAsT of A FeASt to entertain with the big family over at my parents!

My kids getting crackin' for Chinese Marbled Tea Eggs
and my prep for beancurd salad, beancurd stuffed rolls and egg rolls.

Wrapping my dim sum fave Pan-Fried Stuffed Beancurd Veggie Rolls.

Upon arrival to my parents house, a family joint prayer by burning incense. Incense sticks are lit up, held between clasped hands, wishes and prayers are silently chanted while performing a sequence of three standing bows. Then the sticks are placed into the rice bowl and left to burn until finished. We do this first looking to the sky facing the window for overall blessings and then again in front of a mini altar dedicated to our ancestors, or a food offering display. This is to pay respect to the loved ones who've passed on as well as asking for protection and good luck for the gods above.

"Bi Sun"-- prayer to the heavenly Gods and our ancestors. 

The kids and their cousins make their wishes and "bi sun"!

Pan-Fried Stuffed Beancurd Veggie Rolls

My dad was the captain chef doling out the cooked and stir-fried dishes.

Spicy Beancurd Veggie Salad

Chinese Marbled Tea Eggs

Yes, I made Egg Rolls too, and added chicken!

Lots of store-bought "jam lieu"- Chinese deli- roasted pork, roasted duck and steamed chicken.
No making from scratch this year, but do see the elaborate preparations in the previous years
in my DIY posts for Roasted Pork (siu yok) and Roasted Duck (siu ap).

Talk about a BeAsT of A FeASt!! :D

We've got dumplings, tofu salad, Chinese greens and shrimps too!

Hope you all had a fantastic celebration with your family and loved ones!

TDSB's Welcoming Communities for Newcomer Youth and Kids...

It's been a wait but I'm ready to share my good news! I've taken on the role of Culinary Consultant at TDSB's Welcoming Communities for Newcomer Youth and Kids. I will be supporting the newcomers' culinary program (lunch or after school) in 15 schools (and growing), facilitating cooking classes with parents & kids, and promoting the great work by our facilitator hosts and students on social media & through blogging. Unknown to many, the Welcoming Communities division at TDSB is dedicated to ease the transition of both newcomer adults and youth & kids to Canada (within five years of arrival), and to foster a sense of belonging through various programs-- and what better way than to connect and unite over food with cooking classes? :) I am OveRJoyed as this role culminates everything I am passionate about and have been working towards-- celebrating multiculturalism, advocating real food and food education, and cooking with kids. To me, it's giving back my best to the community and next generation with all that I have been blessed to learn and experience in my culinary career and with my volunteer work at Food Revolution.  #cookingwithkids #foodeducation #vocationnotwork #heartforthecommunityandkids #livethelifeyoulovelovethelifeyoulive

"We must be the change we wish to see in the world."-- Gandhi

Sharing my photo gallery of students in action during my recent school visits... 

Each school has such a diverse newcomer population, it's always so interesting to see what the students are interested in learning to cook, incorporating both their cultural foods along with Canadian fare in the classes.

So happy to see this previous Families Studies kitchen is put to great use at Henry Kelseys Senior Public School.

Cooking up Chinese Sweet & Sour Pork and Hot & Sour Shredded Potatoes
with this awesome group of eight graders!

On another occasion at Henry Kelseys, a team Master Chef Challenge baking up frittatas!

My favourite cooking task-- work those knife skills!

Getting the eggs ready for customizing and baking!

These muffin-tin frittatas have pork, tomatoes, onions, pepper and cilantro! YUM!

At Beverley Heights, these eager grade 6, 7 and 8s made no-bake mini cheesecakes during their lunch hour.

With lovely facilitator hosts Alicia and Sho.

Over at Sir Ernest MacMillan Public School, grade 8 students rolled, cut and baked up tender fresh cinnamon buns with a cream cheese frosting! Deelish!

Downsview Secondary School diverse newcomer high school students made meat bolognese over pasta. I got excited hearing their conversations about what they may prepare next-- Bahamian curry or Vietnamese fresh rolls anyone? :D

Enthusiastic engaging students enjoyed cooking and eating together!

Silver Springs Public School has predominantly Chinese newcomers in their after school cooking program. This particular week, they made chicken burgers and smoothies! Chinese New Year is upon us and host Colin will be working with the students to make my marbled tea eggs and dumplings to celebrate! Can't wait...  :D

These grade 5, 6 and 7s were very hands-on and enjoys cooking.

Healthy customized smoothies for everyone!

The best part of all- enjoying the fruits of their labour and eating together!

Update: The kids at Silver Springs did an awesome job at preparing the tea eggs (symbolizing good luck) to honour Chinese New Year! Let's Get Crackin' and Brewin' ! Oooooh, look at that lovely marbled finish!! :D

Chinese Marbled Tea Eggs

Facilitator Host Colin Rome and a happy student!

Each school has different facilities, resources, demographic of students-- age and heritage, cooking skills, expectations and wishes. My goal is to enhance the culinary program experience for both the fabulous team of hosts and students by tailoring to their needs! I'm looking forward to share more with you here... see you back!

Sunday Baking...

Sunday baking with my youngest. From start to finish, he was right there, eager at every step of making my delicious oatmeal cookies-- scooping, measuring, leveling, cracking (eggs), mixing, beating, rolling, placing, baking, lifting and the much-deserved rewarding finale of course--  devouring!

Thank you for stopping by! I've been busy working on some exciting things and my blog had to sit by the sidelines... 

I'll certainly be back to share some news soon...

And when I say he was there every step of the way... I meant it :)

#idontwanttomissathing

Susan's Crispy Chewy Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Raisin Cookies