Dim sum

(Notice a theme setting up here? )

It’s the year of the sheep, (specifically the Green Wood sheep), and as we’ve done for several years, my friends and I headed out for dim sum.  (Which is not exclusively a New Year event; it’s also a regular-weekend outing.) 

Dim sum, rather like mezze and tapas, is a shared eating experience.  Lovely little plates of food are placed in the centre of the table, and everyone reaches in with her chopsticks to pick up her share.  (For the very fastidious types, we actually use serving chopsticks to pick up the dumplings and transfer to our bowls, then dive in with our personal ones.)  It makes for a sometimes messy meal, with the occasional friendly dispute over who gets the last har gow and trade-offs for the sui mai and jiaozi.  It’s family-style dining at its best. 

Sharing a meal is one of the major bonding situations in life.  When we sit to eat with others, we’re providing nourishment, physically, emotionally and spiritually.  A shared meal with friends is one of those great uplifting times that we remember.  Any gathering – at least, with my family and friends – includes a meal of some sort; from cups of tea to the annual Lobster Fest in June.  Thankfully, every one of those meals is also accompanied by laughter, feelings of warmth and the reminder that we’re all fellow travellers through life.  We also seem to prefer those meals where we share the same dishes over ones where we each have our own.

Which do you prefer?  Shared plates, or individual servings?  If you haven’t tried the sharing concept, I urge you to do it at least once, even in your own home.  Yes, you’ll probably wind up with a different level of calories from the other style, but I’m a firm believer that laughter (along with being the best medicine) is also an excellent form of exercise!  Try it, and let me know your thoughts in the comments.

“Better a simple meal where love is than a feast where there is hate.” (PR 15:17)