Dumpling

Say the word "dumpling" and my mind instantly travels to my mother's round white kitchen table where I sit with my mother and sisters folding dumplings.

I don't know how young I was when my mother first taught me how to fold dumplings, egg rolls, wontons, and shumai. I was probably no older than ten and Ie Ling was probably too little to be at the table for my first folding experience, but she was there at other folding sessions in later years.

My first dumplings were ugly with uneven pleats and lacking a dumpling's signature half moon shape. My mother's were works of art and perfectly uniform.

We made pot sticker dumplings for after the baby blessing. Zack and Annee joined us at the folding table this time. My dumplings have improved significantly and have more uniformity, but my mother's are still better.

My mother also made chicken chow mein, a cold oriental green bean salad, fried rice, white rice, and green onion pancakes. I made my first and second green onion pancakes on Sunday. They turned out pretty well, but they are harder to make than my mother made it look.

My mother is graceful, efficient, and tireless in the kitchen. It was fun to work with her and watch her do her thing again. Her cooking abilities are only a tiny part of what makes her a wonderful mother.