May 5th is the IRIS Festival. Only in Japan that they celebrate this very special festival of the Iris flower. It is said to believe that the long stemmed flower which is symbolic in nature while the long narrow leaves are symbols of swords. The Japanese have symbolic ritual of changing the boy's bath with iris leaves to give him the strength , courage and martial spirit. It's meant to be preparation towards another chapter and brighter disposition in life. It is only strictly for boys. Sort of baptism? Bar Mitzvah? Hmmm...same ritual?
Then on May 5 brightly colored paper or light cloth carp (which is a species of fish) should fly gaily at the front porch of every house with a boy living in that house. How nice eh? The Japanese culture and tradition is really very rich, beautiful, charming and colorful. While reading the history of Japan I am amazed. Truly amazed that's why I was inspired to write a novel about it. Remember Jack Lobster? That's my main character in that novel of mine. Cracker Jack Lobster.
So let me show you what I made right there above image is the species of carp. I should have a kite instead. Let them have loran and shoran. I should have four flags there flying gaily just to have a double-double. Let's have carp, salmon, whales, and tuna. How's that? Isn't that a bright, cheery disposition to brighten up your day on May 5? I know it's also is a celebration of Cinco de Mayo in Mexico. Cinco. It reminds me of my Economic adviser in FEU my dearest witty, dedicated professor and kind Miss Concepcion Cinco. The most intelligent human being in my alma mater. Nope she never give me cinco in any test or class card. I'm too smart! Ahahahahaha! Yabang. Just kidding.
Let's eat. Want a rich, creamy garlic ravioli with olivieri alfredo sauce? Never again. Don't use alfredo in ravioli, not good. Anyway no harm in trying such sauce. That wont happen again. It should be marinara but I'd like to know the opinion of my kids if they like that sauce. Once in a while you have to cook something which one your will family choose or rather prefer to have for lunch and breakfast or supper. Ask them what they really, really want so that you wont waste your time and effort in preparing what to cook for them. Besides your house is not a restaurant and you cannot have brunch all the time.
I seldom cook curry and it will take months before I cook it again. For one thing it's my husband's favorite viand. It's not my favorite nor my kid's favorite that's why. I cooked it the way I learned it from my employer in Hong Kong. Chicken curry is delicious by the kind of curry spice being used. There are few to choose from such as: indian vindaloo, masala, goa, chao thai, Bombay, etc. Adding lots of seasoning, shredded ginger, garlic and crushed jalapeno pepper spiced up the whole entire curry chicken with mucho gusto.
Pork with garlic bean sauce is one of my favorite viand. Easy to cook and the food is tasty you have to add more servings of rice on your plate.
A simple plate of simple food. Delicious pork chop pan fried to perfection, rice and sautéed zucchini with oyster sauce, good enough eh? Dip sliced of pork chop on thai 's hot and sour special sauce and you'll enjoy it's exotic taste. Have a refreshing glass of ice cold coca cola and you'll forget your problems. Whatever ails you will be cured.
You are not you when you're hungry and you are not you when you are not the cook. Only when you are eating, savouring the flavor of somebody's cookery you'll find out that LIFE is GOOD!
