Homemade Kueh Kapit
So many things to do, so little time I had. Last weekend we have so many events lining up to be done like 1) a CNY photoshoot with my kids, 2) Daddy is planning to send his car to the workshop for tire balancing and alignment, 3) sending kids to Arithmetic tuition for CNY replacement class and if I choose plan 4, all plans have to be scrap cos plan 4 is going to take the whole day to finished that is a kueh kapit (love letter) baking session in my Sister house.
That morning the moment I walked in to my kitchen, I can smell kueh kapit lingering in the air. So aromatic! Must be someone in my neighbourhood making kueh kapit too. I pick up my phone to called my Sis if they really confirmed making kueh kapit. Sis said they already finished mixing the ingredients and now getting ready to bake. Wah, I syok already cos finally the CNY mood is here. So I told Daddy to drop us (me + 3 kids) at the KTM station but Daddy was super nice that morning. He said, “Family come first. Tire can wait.” awwww…. But then, safety come first also hor. *tsk*
Reached my Sis house at 10.30am and did not managed to snap the earlier session when they prepare the ingredients.
By the time I reached, Mom has already down to business. This is always the norm. First few pieces (or maybe 10 pcs) of love letters is ‘coffee flavour’ = burnt. As and when we goes, the colour gets better and better.
Every item we used here is as old as me. But Mom reckon old mould is not a good mould cos they tend to stick and the engraving is not that obvious anymore. Mom is planning to invest in few new mould next year.
Few years back, Eldest Sis learn to master this skill from my Mom. As for me, I’ll always be the assistant. The fear is “HOT”! But you know what? I’ve discovered something. Will let you know at the end of this post 😉
When we was young, my Mom eldest Sis will help with the making too. She will tell us stories and they always start with… “Long time ago….” you know stuff like World War II, all the running and hiding and how when they was younger, the whole village have marathon love letter’s making session for 24 hours! So now was Mom’s turn. This is how she goes.
“Last time when we was young, we have to wake up at 3am. Not like you people so fortunate. Wake up at 9am only. We have to grate the coconut using the traditional grater, squeeze the coconut milk. Now ah, just go market and you can get fresh squeeze coconut milk and even mix the ingredient using electronic gadget.. Oh ya, the rice flour leh. We have to grind the rice using the stone mortar. Last time no electric city somemore. We have to use kerosene lamp, etc…” the rest not so interesting liao. hahaha.
I asked Daddy to take this shot of us, working. Mom teased me, “Aiyah, you should switch place with me. If want to show off must be the chief only is the real thing.” Char tou! Notice my 3rd Sis in the background? She is coating ‘nien kau’ with grated coconut for consumption. Syok nye! This is what I called CNY mood la. Mom occasionally switching place with my Eldest Sis so that she can rest a while. It is very tiring you know. Especially our back and our leg. You all only know how to eat *sticking out tongue*.
Towards the ending, I took over the task from my Sister for the first time!!! And you know what I’ve found out? The person who handle the mould has an easier task compare to the person who fold the HOT love letter. Trust me!
athena said,
January 13, 2009 @ 5:08 pm
everyone involved are all chefs! 🙂 love letters making is a dying art..jang, you must learn this up!
Daddy said,
January 13, 2009 @ 5:24 pm
Look at her lovely face was so concentrate to pick-up the skill.
The wife said: I mastered that skill when I was just 14 yrs old! More like me trying to act cool in the pic. Hehe
the Razzler said,
January 13, 2009 @ 5:29 pm
Queen…
One of my favourite snacks during CNY!! Sometimes even becomes my lunch coz too busy with mahjong!! 🙂
wen said,
January 13, 2009 @ 7:46 pm
wah a lot of work leh..
jazzmint said,
January 13, 2009 @ 8:07 pm
wahh i see ur banner oso i like LOL
NomadicMom said,
January 13, 2009 @ 10:47 pm
WOW! Still using the traditional mould and charcoal fire! Am impressed!
Selena said,
January 14, 2009 @ 3:56 am
Wah, so nice to see your family still makes kuih kapit the traditional way! Brings back memories …… of my burnt fingers! Hope you enjoy eating it as well!
jasmine said,
January 14, 2009 @ 1:57 pm
wow…cny atmospeher is about baking cookies & decorating the house!!!! looks so fun!!!
laundryamah said,
January 14, 2009 @ 5:55 pm
i was considering of buying the set…but then again…not enuf time n my maid is too stupid and lazy to help..i can’t do it myself unlike baking..so can exchange?? kapit for other cookies???
The Queen says: I give you my Eldest Sister number. You ask her, ok? kakakaka.
Mommy to Chumsy said,
January 14, 2009 @ 11:14 pm
aaahh…you and your family always have so much fun eh? seeing yr photos bring back memories of me helping my mum made kueh kapit when I was younger. After that one time, no more cos it’s a lot of work (back breaking) and we weren’t allowed to eat them while making 🙁
rachel said,
January 15, 2009 @ 10:26 am
wahhhhh nice nice…
your family style is “fold” kueh kapit? not those roll type ??? i remember when i was young, i prefer the roll type cos look like ciggar..
jacss said,
January 15, 2009 @ 2:10 pm
wah…it’s always nice to see sights like this….full of CNY mood with family members!! but then hor….having to do it hands on can be different story….very susah, can be exhausting, tiring & stressful !!!
but having said that, i reckon it’s good to treasure moments like this while still can….u know what i mean??
yr mom….really char tou ahh, LOL
jacss said,
January 15, 2009 @ 2:51 pm
ehh, itu badge already fixed there by the school where we bought the uniform from.
emmm, if got name tag, i think can fix on the pocket right??
btw, i always hv to re-type lar……coz i missed yr anti-spam quiz….very leceh leh, blek!!
come jessie blog, must remember ‘steam’ ‘steam’ ‘steam’…..
sila said,
January 16, 2009 @ 6:32 am
wah now i want kueh kapit!! 🙁
that’s so good that your family is keeping this tradition alive, and teaching the younger generation. 🙂
Jan said,
January 16, 2009 @ 5:49 pm
wah….your family is certainly keeping this traditional alive and HOT….:)
huisia said,
January 18, 2009 @ 8:24 am
i can smell the fragrant here! 🙂
laymank said,
January 18, 2009 @ 10:50 pm
sad, I don’t see my family doing that this year…
no wonder no feel for CNY… (
The Queen says: Not that you are going to help out!
Lil said,
January 19, 2009 @ 7:06 am
oh i want some too!! they look soooooooo good. it must have been over a decade now since i last made any kueh kapit (and other new year goodies) myself with my family… ah the good times…
a-moms-diary said,
January 19, 2009 @ 8:45 pm
Your photos brought back memories when we used to make kuih kapit at home. Haven’t done that for several years now. Elder sis suggested to make it last weekend but we eventually didn’t coz mum said difficult since she’s babysitting my niece and nephew.
HN said,
January 20, 2009 @ 2:43 am
Classic!!! This is my most favorite kuih during CNY!!! Thanks for sharing the story, definitely bring up some CNY mood here in Netherlands for me 🙂