Red Date Bread - Grandma's Fav

Grandma's Chinese Traditional Bread with Date for New Year Dinner

I had a young childish life when big family gather every member at such a warm place with whole kitchen occupied by sound of cooking, laughing and chatting. Conversation is around topics about add some time in stewing a dish with dimmer fire, sometimes she asks you to give a hand when busy on preparation of dish really need a second hand. Adult talks about their child of their school, going abroad, return back home, alway not mention about themselves, how they earn money or what difficulty they encounter in their company. It seems like holiday is a happy and warm family time, keeping as far as possible outside world, after a year of hard working, they finally settle down and shut the door. 

I do remember in my grandma's house, when someone plans to make dumpling or some white-flour bread, folks gather together around table focusing on this task. It is the most wonderful holiday memory that I have when people make bread with date on it. Since date have to be decorated at the right position on the bread, so my grandma usually let these well made dough turn into ball like shape, then start bridge at five spots of little holes by pushing and buckling bridge out, then insert dates under the bridge. In symmetrical position, one on top, one at the bottom, one on left and one on right, with the last one in the centre. The meaning of making such bread is also rooted in its traditions, same date date give birth of next child quick, or red date gain year by year in fate. It is those little memory that interwines with my current mind, I hope to had them all by myself at this holiday season since we are separated far apart by the sea.

Dear reader, this is my story of the year. What about your wish for new year?

Very best wish to all of you a merry christmas and happy new year 2019.

Vivienne