Due to the busy schedule during Chinese New Year, the Caring Place and Gilmore Church Park community kitchen have a joint potluck during the Chinese New Year week instead of having two separate cooking classes with low participation.

Potluck is always a great way to enjoy a variety of food. More so when we have a multinational group. From left, Minnie (Korean), Lorna (HongKonger), Angela (Chinese), Jenny (Taiwanese), Minoo (Persian), Mable (Chinese???), Jean (Canadian) and Forough (Iranian).

Lorna brought a big platter of fishballs and meatballs with sar char sauce and soy sauce for dipping. The sar char sauce is too spicy for some people but not for me. Lorna also brought a plate of finger food made from cherry tomatoes and grapes stuffed with cheese and dried prunes. I especially like those stuffed with dried prunes.

Minnie brought a plate of Korean stir-fried Rice Cakes. Its a little spicy and I like the chewy rice cakes. What a small world when Minnie told me she knows Allie, my good Korean neighbour who has gone back to Korea for good. They were in the same English class before.

Angela brought two dishes, Egg Rolls stuffed with minced pork and fish paste and …

… a Jelly Fish Chicken Salad which she had demonstrated in the Caring Place kitchen before.

Jean brought a pot of Sweet and Sour Spareribs and steamed rice. We were all amazed that Jean made such a ‘Chinese-ish’ dish. This dish tastes like the Vinegar Pork Knuckle made for Chinese women during their confinement month. Coincidentally, Lorna just has a new grandchild two weeks ago and she told us she also made a big pot of the Vinegar Pork Knuckle at home. Congratulations to Lorna and Jean who is also expecting her second grandchild in September.

Forough brought a bowl of spaghetti in meat sauce, nice.

Mable brought a Vegetarian Dish, with dried oysters. Vegetarian dish is popular during Chinese New Year, especially on the first day of Chinese New Year.

Minoo made a Hummus dip to go with some chips. Hummus is great for sandwich too.

I brought my latest baking passion, a Cheesecake with apricot glaze while Jenny brought a plate of stir-fried vermicelli. My apology to those that I missed to photograph their food.

Thank you ladies for making this a success. I certainly had a great time and so is my tummy.