Happy Chinese Valentine's Day

"Chap Goh Meh" is a term in the Hokkien dialect which literally translates to "the fifteenth night". This auspicious occasion which falls on the first full moon of the Lunar New Year also marks the fifteenth and final day of the Chinese New Year festivities. This year, "Chap Goh Meh" falls on the 4th of March. The usual Chinese celebrations include feasting, eating "Tangyuan" (Glutinous rice flour balls served in boiling water), and the Lantern festival.

However, in South East Asia, this day is also celebrated as Chinese Valentine's Day. In the days of old, this is the only day of the year when unmarried couples are allowed to be seen together with each other. As for single girls, one of the traditions in Malaysia include the throwing of tangerines into the sea. This is done in hopes that it will be found by their soul mate. Maybe it will work even better if they write their name, phone number, email address with permanent ink on the tangerines. Haha.. just kidding about that writing down of the particulars part. Don't try it at home !

I was thinking of my late granny when she told me that funny tangerine tossing Chinese Valentine's Day tradition. Jellyfish and cucumber salad was one of her favorite munchies when she was playing mahjong during Chinese New Year. I guess a part of her must have rubbed off on me as I develop a craving for it every time Chinese New Year comes around.

Using some of my favorite Asian salad ingredients like cilantro, green onions, and the flavorful chinese five spice tofu, here's a quick and easy recipe for a jellyfish salad. I bet you will love this jellyfish salad, it is simply refreshing, a great light snack suited for the spring and summer.

Tips : Cooking jellyfish

1) In a hot boiling pot of water, drop the jellyfish in, and cook for about 1-2 minutes, depending on which part of the jellyfish is used. If its the head is used, it will need a longer time to cook. Check for consistency after a minute into cooking time.
2) Rinse in cold, icy water. Drain off excess salt, pat dry and chill in the fridge until cold.

Jellyfish Salad Recipe

Ingredients :
shredded chinese five spice pressed tofu
shredded cooked jellyfish
chopped cilantros
shredded green onions
100% pure sesame oil
low sodium soy sauce

For stuffing : cucumber cups ( remove core )
Before serving : toasted sesame seeds and paprika powder

Method :

1) Mix all the ingredients together and let chill for 10 minutes.
2) Scoop the jellyfish into the cucumber cups. Lightly sprinkle some toasted sesame seeds and paprika powder before serving.

Edible Sea Creatures

Clue #1 : In Sponge Bob and Square Pants, these sea creatures occurred frequently as underwater equivalent of bees.

Clue #2 : In Finding Nemo, these entails the main characters swimming their way through them.

Clue #3 : In Shark Tale, E and B are the species of these.

Clue #4 : Its a seaweed gluten that has an interesting crunchy texture. Some parts are firm and tender all at the same time, whereas other parts are kind of gelatinous.

Clue #5 : You see plates of these sitting at the dimsum carts at the Chinese restaurant.

So, now now, which of these body parts shall I use for my next "appetizing" recipe hmm....

Yes, it is jellyfish ! Three edible body parts of the jellyfish is available today to cater to your taste buds : from firm to tender to gelatinous. The first picture on to the left is the jellyfish skin, it is thin, slighty crunchy and firm in texture. The second picture is the jellyfish head, firm and chewy, easy on the gelatinous side, and this sort of resembles the texture of beef tendon. The popular "body part" of the jellyfish is the shredded body. They are gelatinously soft, and tender all at the same time. The fact is, jellyfish are salted and flaccid to the touch. They are not dried, but preserved. Just like the many jellyfish salads you see at any dimsum served in the Cantonese cuisine, its also another popular cold starter dish served during the Chinese New Year festivities.

Jellyfish facts : They are made up of over 95% water, and they do not have brains, hearts, gills, bones, or blood. And since they don't have backbones as well, they belong to the invertebrates group of animals.