Cookies in China

I never knew how much I loved cookies until I came to China. Ok, well, I take that back. I've always known that I love cookies, but I love them just as much in China. A more accurate way of putting this might be: cookies take on a new meaning in China � something rare and fascinating, exotic, even. Each ingredient is carefully sought after. Improvisations are made as you realize you don't have the proper mixing spoon or bowl. There is a sense of suspense and slight worry as you wonder whether cookies can really bake in the land of steamed bums and dumplings. It's really quite an exciting experience, and even more exciting when the cookies come out.

Well, I got to share this experience with 2 of my good Chinese friends � Jenny, 江皓 (Jiang Hao) and 赵水燕 (Zhao Shui Yan). I was over at Shui Yan's home for the day, and Jenny came over. Shui Yan had just received a toaster oven from a friend. Well, she didn't know how to use it, but was quite excited when I told her that I often baked in America. So, we went to the super market and looked for ingredients. Originally, we were going to make some scrumptious quick bread, but Chinese supermarkets don't carry baking powder apparently. So, I improvised and switched from quick break to chocolate chip cookies.

Once we had bought the ingredients, we headed back home to begin the process. I had to keep a close eye on the mixing process, because when the Chinese make food, they don't measure ingredients. They just throw in some vegetables, some meat, salt, soy sauce then sprinkle on some MSG. It turns out tasty enough, but with baking, the Chinese way of cooking is just asking for disaster. Fortunately, I have superb baking skills, and even with an unplanned banana thrown into the cookie dough, I managed to pull out some tasty treats.

I believe I added too much salt, and the banana threw off the cookie dough consistency so that I had to add practically another cup of flour…then somehow, most of the butter baked out of the dough in the toaster oven and started sizzling and popping on the little pan. Ah, yes, superb baking skills. However, Jenny and Shui Yan thought it was wonderful. And we happily ate out chocolate chip, banana cookies with our chopsticks. Now Shui Yan knows how to use her toaster oven.

Turkey in China!

Turkey in China, a whole turkey at that too.

So, this is my Thanksgiving post.  It is quite late coming, but I think it's still worth an update.

Until about a week before Thanksgiving Day, I had no plans whatsoever for one of my two favorite holidays of the year (up there with Christmas). I wasn't actually troubled by this fact, oddly enough. And as it turns out, there was no need to be troubled by it; the Lord provided. The week just before Thanksgiving, an American friend of mine who I know from church asked if I had any plans. Upon hearing that my Thanksgiving seemed to be doomed to an evening with myself, a lone, stray American in Beijing, she told me she had some friends hosting a dinner and she'd ask if they had room for one more. Later that evening, I received a text from her informing me that the Thanksgiving hosts were more than happy to welcome one more stray "Yankee" into their fold. I couldn't have found a better home for Thanksgiving…

I was graciously welcomed into the home of Sarah and Marian, two middle-aged single ladies working in Beijing. They have lived in their current apartment 3 years, but have lived in China for a decade at least, I believe. They are old pros at decorating and making even a Chinese apartment feel like an American home – which was obvious as soon as I walked into their door.

As soon as I stepped in, I smelled strong coffee brewing, spotted soft whips of pumpkin pie, heard the clatter of pots and knives busily at work in the kitchen and saw American football on an Apple monitor – it felt like America. Their living and dining area was painted a deep red, almost burgundy. I saw a few pumpkins sitting randomly on top of shelves. On the coffee table was an assortment of pre-feast snacks, ranging from almond cookies to cinnamon fruit dip to real candy corn. It was everything I could do to keep myself from filling up on snacks. So, as the Thanksgiving feast was being finished up, I scavenged the snack table and talked with the other guests. There were 2 young couples also at Sarah and Marian's home. One couple had just recently married and moved to Beijing, while the other couple had been living in Beijing several years and had 3 little boys. There were 3 other single ladies, whom I already knew from church, there also. Everyone there already knew each other. However, I still managed to feel quite at ease.

For the actual dinner, we had all the essential Thanksgiving bits – turkey, both white and dark meat, stuffing, cranberry sauce and pumpkin pie. We also had salad, pumpkin and yeast breads as well as apple and custard pies. Needless to say, I ate until I couldn't eat anymore. Even with a break in between food and pie, I was still struggling to walk at a normal speed when I left.

I don't know how I would have managed this year without a proper Thanksgiving. Thankfully, the Lord gave me such a wonderful one with such wonderful people. The meal was delicious; the fellowship was uplifting. The supper was followed by a time of singing hymns of Thanksgiving, then capped off with the various pies. Celebrating this holiday in China has given me hope that if I am ever in China living one day, it is quite possible that I have perfectly fulfilling holidays even while abroad. Joy and celebrations can exist regardless the circumstances.

Earn Miles