Introducing Spring Fest - Jan. 23, 2009

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Chinese new year's is called "Chun Jie (Spring Festial)" in Mandarin. It's my first Spring Fest in China. Can't wait to soak it all in and eat up! Yeah!

Got to celebrate with Chen Baba and Chen Mama on new year's eve. I've adopted them as my parents away from home. Besides a delish brunch, Chen Mama made "Ba Bao Fan," a Shanghai favorite. She's included her own twist w/ dried kiwi, apricots, and dates encircling a carefully shaped dome of sticky rice. All this chewy sweetness encases a rich red bean filling. A savory alternative is to add meat, beans and preserved veggies to the sticky rice dome.

Every visitor to the Chen household gets some "Ba Bao Fan" to take home. Feelin' warm, fuzzy and full.

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