Southern US Hoppin’ John, also known as Carolina Peas and Rice, is a peas and rice dish served in the Southern United States. It is made with black-eyed peas (or red cowpeas such as iron and clay peas in the Southeast US) and rice, chopped onion, sliced bacon, and seasoned with salt. In the southern US, eating Hoppin’ John on New Year’s Day is thought to bring a prosperous year filled with luck. The peas are symbolic of pennies or coins, and a coin is sometimes added to the pot or left under the dinner bowls. On the day after New Year’s Day, leftover “Hoppin’ John” is called “Skippin’ Jenny” and further demonstrates one’s frugality, bringing a hope for an even better chance of prosperity in the New Year. The first written recipe for Hoppin John appeared in the Carolina Housewife in 1847. Spain Eating 12 grapes at midnight on New Year’s Eve is both a tradition and a superstition in Spain. The tradition consists of eating a grape with each bell strike at midnight of December 31st. According to the tradition, that leads to a year of prosperity. In some areas, it is believed that the tradition wards away witches and general evil, although this “magic” is treated like an old heritage, and in modern days it’s viewed as a cultural tradition to welcome the new year. There are two main places where people gather to eat the grapes: with family after the dinner or in the main squares… [Read full story]
Five Continents Food Festival-World Food 2017, the first event of its kind to be held in HCM City, features the cuisine and culture of all five continents from October 5-8 at Hoa Lư Stadium in District 1. Thai food attracts visitors at the Five Continents Food Festival-World Food 2017. Hundreds of delicious food and drinks, including vegetables, seafood and others cooked with ingredients from five continents are displayed and sold at many booths in the festival. The stalls’ owners and cooks welcome visitors and buyers at noon and in the evening. Visitors can talk with many famous chefs and their…... [read more]
Cinet)- A programme entitled "Words on Wheels mobile digital library" opened a new window to the world for the children, providing them access to new knowledge about people and life outside their immediate environment. The programme, organised by the Singapore International Foundation (SIF) in co-operation with the General Sciences Library (GSL) and funded by Keppel Land Limited, will run for over three years. Singapore volunteers will help introduce new English and IT learning tools for over 3,000 primary and secondary school students in HCM City under the Words on Wheels mobile digital library programme, which was launched yesterday. The programme…... [read more]
There will be no price increase during the Lunar New Year months of January and February. Do Thi Ngoc, Deputy Director of the Price Statistics Department under the General Department of Statistics, explained the underlying reasons to VIR’s Manh Bon. On January 4, 2017, the price of A95 gas and other oil products increased by VND300-500 (US cent13-22) per litre, which also led to the rise of the CPI in January by approximately 0.03 percentage points. Then on January 19 2017, diesel oil grew by VND290 per litre, which generally left the CPI unaffected. In summary, the two upward adjustments…... [read more]
No open display of food. All food vendors to undergo training in food safety and be certified as being in good health by hospitals. All food to be served using gloves. All ingredients used in making food to have valid documentation of origin like purchase invoices. These are just a few stipulations contained in a Ministry of Health circular on street food that takes effect in less than two days (January 20) as part of efforts to promote food safety and hygiene on streets nationwide. But there is no sign that any of these measures will be taken by street…... [read more]
Outlook (29-09-2006) Japan's new leader promises high world profile by Mai Hien Shinzo Abe took office on Tuesday as Japan's young-est prime minister. The new leader has promised to reshape the nation by boosting the country's role in global affairs and reviving respect for traditional values at home. "As the first premier born after the war, I will lead firmly in the right direction," said Abe. "I will make Japan a country full of opportunity, kindness and dynamism. I will begin creating a new country." At the first meeting of the new cabinet, Abe pledged to heal strained ties with…... [read more]
