February 22, 2011
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A Simple and Memorable Meal
One of my most memorable meal was a very simple meal. It was simply romaine lettuce that was blanched in boiling water and drizzled with oyster sauce. I had this meal many years ago and the memories are still very powerful. Our family had sat down for dinner when I noticed the dish of lettuce. It was still steaming hot with oyster sauce on the top. My brother had also noticed it as well. We both looked at each other but didn't say anything. At that time, my brother was working in a restaurant. Sometimes he would bring back kitchen scraps so that mom can use it for her compost pile. My brother and I knew the lettuce was from the bag that my brother brought home. My mom saw us and gave us a stern lecture. She told us the lettuce leaves were still in good condition and are perfectly fine for eating. They have been washed thoroughly and we shouldn't be wasting food. "I wouldn't serve it if I thought the leaves were spoiled!"
We both knew mom was fastidious about cleaning vegetables and fruits. I was embarrassed because I knew money was very tight in our family at that time. Our parents always made a point since we were young not to waste food. We were told about the hardships the farmers went through to grow food. This would be followed by how hard dad worked to put food on our table so we had enough to eat. That night, I didn't dare say a word and ate the lettuce along with everything else. I think we all made a point of not leaving any food in our plates that night.
I still cringe whenever I have to throw away food in my fridge that has been spoiled. I try to make sure that doesn't happen too often. Sometimes it's just difficult to buy food for one (especially vegetables that have been bundled or packaged for families). But I know I can get better manage that by doing a bit more planning and freezing what I can't eat immediately. I've had many other meals that were fancier, more expensive, more exotic and tastier. But this simple dish still ranks up there as one of my most memorable meal.
photo credit: http://www.sochina.net/Chinese-Food/Cantonese-Cuisine/Romaine-lettuce-of-oyster-sauce_565.html
Comments (37)
Great post Matt! I can see the emotional attachment and meaning behind that dish ...
I love this post Matt. I can see also, the emotional attachment here. How good, that one little thing like this, touches our lives in such a sensitive way. Thank you for sharing those moments with us.
I love reading posts such as this. a great story and always make you think.
little things goes a long way.. just like this post a realiasation that little things in life matters most!
@kachino - thanks for the compliment - much appreciated.
@ZSA_MD - yes, these simple things can be so powerful. I'm happy that you liked the post and thank you for recommending.
@windblown85 - thanks for dropping by and I'm glad you enjoyed the post.
@fairy_tinkerbella - these little things do indeed go a long way. Thank you for visiting and for recommending.
Darn, other people have said what I wanted to say. Fantastic storytelling as usual Matt.
Nicely done. I'm pretty good about finishing food. I swear, you can look at my belly haha.
@Roadlesstaken - thanks Alex. I have a funny feeling this story is something your grandmother would have told you and/or your brother. I appreciate the rec too.
@yang1815 - *rubs belly for luck* (btw - I really doubt you have a belly)
Sometimes, a simple home cooked dish can be so meaningful! What a coincidence, Matt, my mom cooked this lettuce n' oyster sauce while I was in HK too! It was very tasty indeed!
@CurryPuffy - really? that's neat... I think I'll have to make this dish soon. I haven't had this in awhile now.
Yes, I like this dish, the difficult part is not to overcook the lettuce. Then add your desirable amount of delicious oyster sauce! So quick and simple!
who would have thought that such a simple meal would become so memorable? nice story. and BTW, the picture of the lettuce looks really good.
Living here in the Philippines made us value food even more. We don't want to waste anything, rice gets eaten up to the last bit. Some people here survive with just one meal a day. They would even scavenge the trash for food...sad but it made most Filipinos value food more.
It's actually one of my favorite dishes too <3
And if we were housemates... we could have family dinner together. There'll never be waste ever
Love the story as usual. I have the same problem cooking for one person, me. I have learned to make use of whatever is in the frig and been there just about as long as it can be without spoiling. I guess I will try this too.
Food teaches us a lot of lessons. I have learnt that it is easy to sit in the comfort of your home and say the food on the table isn't to your liking, but to work to have that food on the table is an ordeal in itself. It is disheartening to hear people complain about food, and worse, waste it. I loved your post. Thanks for sharing!
@ElusiveWords - gotta see it and feel it to believe it.
i hate throwing food away as well, so i will always try to eat all of it (even when it doesn't come out well) or recycle it into the next dish i cook. i agree that sometimes it's the simple meals that are the best!
Matt, my friend, your post takes me back to my own
childhood dinner table. With ten mouths to feed, and
my fathers low meager income we were encouraged
not to waste anything around our home as well.
We dinned on simple dishes that went a long way.
I can truly miss those days..... thanks for the memory nudge.
Be well,
*~matthew~*
You learned a lesson well and shared it beautifully!
Good story telling man.
This is a great post! Like you, I was raised not to waste food, and to throw away food was the same as throwing away money and "disgrace" the work that went into providing that food. One of my most favorite meals is "shells and cheese." I remember there was one time my mom made it for my brother and I, and her and my dad didn't eat dinner that night (I didn't ask why at the time). When I grew up, I saw the price of "99 cents" and I guess it psychologically impacted me.
Boy, this cleared up a lot for me... I think I'll have myself some shells and cheese tonight! Lol. They say every meal is a gift, but this just puts that statement into a whole other level.
Again, great post!
I love that dish too.
What a beautiful post! I enjoyed reading this! I love when people share their memories...how they felt, what they learned, etc. 'Cause those of us listening always learn something or one of our memories is brought to mind.
The boys, especially, we always "starving"! 
I am one of 8 kids in my family...and we had meager portions so we didn't waste. As one of the youngest I had to eat fast or get my food snatched by an older sibling.
That dish looks so delicious!
HUGS!
this reminds me of being thankful and appreciate for what I currently have.......tks for the post!
@HeLLo_Bianca - thank you, yeah - I don't remember what else we had that night but that dish and the lecture stood out.
@oxyGENE_08 - there aren't a lot of folks who have seen poverty first hand. I'm sure you pass by slums but also see the very rich too. This might make for a good entry from you some time in the future.
@Devilzgaysianboi - really? I didn't know it was one of your favorite dishes. I like family dinners too. I usually eat alone during the weekday.
@Fatcat723 - thanks Rob, yeah - it's always tricky cooking for one. Food is never packaged for single folks. Vegetables and meats are always tricky.
@carpe_diem99 - I'm glad you liked the entry. My mom was a great cook so I never had to worry about a bad meal. But she would also tell us that if we didn't like the food then we can cook for ourselves.
@yang1815 - your version of belly means 1 pound over your ideal body weight.
@kunhuo42 - or just give it to your bf. hee hee...
@bleuzeus - you're welcome. I had no idea you came from such a large family.
@seedsower - yeah - it was a great lesson!
@sonychak - thanks Sonlay.
@oOo_itsJuJu - you're so right - every meal is a gift.
@vsan79 - simple and delicious!
@adamswomanlost - 8 kids! I'm sure meal times must have been a frenzy some times.
@agmhkg - you're welcome, I'm glad you enjoyed the post.
This post of yours is even made more significant by the fact that we live in today's world where every cent counts. To a lot of people, a meal of lettuce drizzled with oyster sauce is by all means already a fancy one. Many can ill-afford. Reminds me of my youth when nine children had to make do with whatever was laid on the table. Those where really hard times in the family. My father who was a USVA pensioner was not getting much and we had to augment this with the produce of our little farm. Anyway, that was long ago, though the memory lives on.
Thanks for sharing yours.
@ElusiveWords - We'll see. I'll work on that.
How did I miss this entry Matt? It is so beautiful and would be especially poignant to repeat next Thanksgiving.
good stuff man.
@ElusiveWords - yeah right haha
I have to say, it actually looks pretty good. Simple and yet full of meaning now that you've shared your story. That's a meal for the body and soul! I feel you with the spoiled vegetable part. I don't think I've ever been able to use up a package of spinach before it's gone bad this term. Even when I used it in everything (pasta, stir fry, salads!)
@Norcani - I wish I could recommend your comment. It is very powerful.
@christao408 - lol... I miss a few entries here and there too. I was reading Gary's blog a few weeks ago and noticed an entry I missed months ago. I'm glad you liked it and thanks for recommending.
@ThePrince - thanks Michael.
@Justin_DeBin - thank you.
@AzureRecollections - I know, I have to be very careful about what I buy nowadays. Will I be able to use it all? If not, I don't buy it. But sometimes I can split the veggies with my bf so that's good.
sounds like ur mom was an amazing woman. i love how u honor her through ur memories.
that actually looks yummy. And how the heck have I missed so many of your posts? I just went back and read a bunch...funny, I was thinking I need to go get some reading glasses today. Sorry I havent kept up, I just havent seen you show up in my subscriptions or inbox
well, for some reason I wasnt subscribed. How odd. but I am now