A Delicious Toss for The Spring

I thought I was a connoisseur of Yee Sang until a friend I met in a hypermart introduced me to Spring Toss. She even pointed out to me the section where the Spring Toss items were arranged.

Was I impressed when I drew near! What a FIND! There was variety a-plenty to choose from - Traditional, Teochew and Thai flavours. There were different packagings to suit different sizes in gatherings. I found one that was just nice for three to five people - and another that was enough for a table of thirteen! And there were also supplementary packs of pok choy and sliced yam - these people think of everything.

And that's not all. On some of the boxes were exotic names like Fruity Fiesta, Golden Sensation and Radiant Lotus. I read the ingredients listed on them - and nearly fainted with an uncontrollable yearning for the festive delicacy. 

I started filling up my cart so fast you'd have thought the government was about to prohibit the sale of Yee Sang.

As I neared the cashier's counter, I saw my friend who had told me about Spring Toss. She looked at the contents of my cart and laughed.

"Stocking up for the New Year?" she asked me.

"WHO's waiting for the New Year?" I replied. "I can always come back for more."


BOLDWRITER

LOH HEY LAR ! EVERYONE...

Some people think that Yee Sang is strictly Chinese. Well, some people are so very wrong.

Though of Chinese origin, Yee Sang is, first and foremost, a treat for the palate. It's actually a delicacy for all. How so? I'll explain. 

Anyone can enjoy it. It contains neither animal meat nor extract, save for sashimi (and that's optional). It's low on calories and settles easily on the stomach. (It has to be, since it's an appetiser!)

If you're a health freak and a confirmed vegetarian, fine! Just forego the sashimi and everything else is of botanic origin, the sauce included. 

Yee Sang is also good news for those who are weight-conscious. There's precious little carbohydrate and fat to provide unwanted calories. Imagine demolishing a whole plate of yummy eatables and not being bothered as to what it'll do to your waistline.

And if you've never tried Yee Sang before, all I have to say is - you don't know what you've been missing. Let me try to describe it for you.

Basically, it's a salad. Everything's in thin slices and small pieces. You don't have to do any cooking, heating or chilling - "instant" is the word. All you need to do is place the ingredients on a plate, pour the sauce over it and stir thoroughly.

It's crispy, crunchy, a little sweet, a little tangy, with its unique flavour settling beautifully on your tongue. Maybe I'll just use one word to describe the experience - SLURP! 

You don't have to bother with chopsticks if you're not used to them. Use a fork, spoon or ladle to stir and mix. Heck, you can use your fingers if you want to - the taste remains the same. Just remember to blend the sauce well with the ingredients.

And if you want to "Loh Hey" like the Chinese, just say: "May (whatever it is you want) come my way!" Then toss the ingredients high in the air and let them fall back on the plate. 

That's all there is to it? You bet.

-BOLDWRITER-