Winter Solstice

Yesterday was twenty-second  December which was also winter Solstice. Winter Solstice is the most important solstice of twenty-four solstices.  In ancient times, winter solstice is a reunion day of a family; therefore, it is also called " Little New Year" which means Xiao Guo Nian in Chinese. It  is the day of the shortest day time and the longest night time. It is also symbolize much bright and hopeful of farmers after passing winter solstice, for the day time will lengthen and the night time will shorten day after day.

Traditionally, Chinese people usually eat glutinous rice dumpling in winter solstice. Some Chinese people even prepare Medicinal Ginger Duck, Rice Wine Chicken or Four Herbs Chicken and so on for Winter Dietary Supplementation on that day. My family  has our own special recipe of glutinous rice dumpling for winter solstice. We are the same as the most people eating glutinous rice dumpling and rice wine chicken. However, we cook sweet balls of glutinous rice with salty soup, dry shrimps and Tonghao cai which is a kind of vegetables be used to cook for hot pot. It is kinda different taste from other people's cooking. I loved eating our special glutinous rice dumpling when I was a kid; moreover, it is also my Mom's special recipe. Evey time when I eat it then it reminds me of my mom. I do dislike to eat glutinous rice dumpling of peanut and sesame flavors with sweet soup very much because it is always too sugary. Next time, why do not try my family special recipe. I believe you will find out it will be very tasty for you because there is a balance flavor which mixes saltiness and sweetness. You might like it much.