Teeth, Willow Pattern, Phone, Bowling.

I dunno about "old age ain't for sissies" but I can tell you this partial denture ain't for sissies either. Today I finally could wear it without excruciating pain but it still wasn't full of joy. I still got pain at certain times when chomping on my vittles. My friend who has also had her teeth extracted this week has had her denture put in right away. Seems to be different for each dentist. Hers has told her to keep her denture in (if she can) mine says take it out at night!!! I used to think this was all my fault but I don't think it is.

I have one small piece of Willow Pattern china. Not sure how old it is, but I was looking at it this evening and thinking it needed a wash. So then I tried to remember the poem that was written about it. I googled and discovered there are several different versions, but this is the one closest to what I can remember.

Two birds flying high, A Chinese vessel, sailing by. A bridge with three men, sometimes four, A willow tree, hanging o'er. A Chinese temple, there it stands, Built upon the river sands. An apple tree, with apples on, A crooked fence to end my song.

Yesterday I received my new phone from my re-arrangement with my ISP. I had trouble with my SIM

card, I'm not good with cell phones, and ended up going down to the local store for help. I had it in the wrong place, duuh. This morning I texted the younger owner of the bowling alley to tell him I had a new toy, his response was to ask me if I had traded in Matt. LOL  So now I have a phone I can take pix with it. I used to have a phone like that but had changed it for something easier for Matt. Now he never uses the cell phone anyway. Talking of bowling, wasn't too bad today for the whole team. Not sure ow many points we won as we left before the other team finished their last game. Will see tomorrow.

Here's a Japanese take on asparagus.

Pork Belly Rolls with Asparagus and Enoki Mushrooms 

Impress your guests with this canapé recipe at your next party

16 thin slices pork belly
200 g baby asparagus
200 g enoki mushroom
3 Tbs Japanese soya sauce
6 Tbs mirin
2 Tbs olive oil
pepper

FOR THE SPICY DIPPING SAUCE:
2 heaped tablespoons Korean chili paste
2 cloves garlic
Tabasco
2 Tbs Worcestershire sauce
1 Tbs Japanese soya sauce

1. Mix all the ingredients for the dipping sauce, adding a little water if you wish to thin it out.

2. Roll the pork belly with some baby asparagus, then repeat with the enoki. Continue until all the ingredients are used up.

3. Heat the mirin until it becomes thick and almost like a syrup. Add the soya sauce and olive oil.

4. Preheat the oven to 220°C.

5. Place the pork belly rolls on a roasting tray and crack some black pepper on them before brushing them with the soya sauce mixture.

6. Roast for about 12 minutes until they start becoming brown.

7. Serve with the dipping sauce at the side.

Servings: 4

Author: Mervyn Phan

Have a great day