A Novel of Extraordinary Faith--Food Scene and Recipe from R.F. Whong's Blazing China

A Novel of Extraordinary Faith--Food Scene and Recipe from R.F. Whong's Blazing China
Wednesday, July 31, 2024 by Sally Jo Pitts

Categories: Books & Food / Recommended Books

Investigating Food Used in Novels

This month’s food scene and recipe comes from R. F. Whong’s novel, Blazing China.

Describing food and an after dinner activity in this scene, Author Whong portrays a sense of everyday home life amid a changing China where wealth and faith become sources of both strife and hope.

Here’s the Scene:

Back at their flat, to express her gratitude, Leesan cooked fried chicken, steamed fish, and spinach with minced garlic for Danny and Kam-Chu. After dinner, Ann-Ann, clad in her new dress, sang and danced to music flowing from the radio.

Kam-Chu applauded. “Ann-Ann, you’re so cute in the red dress. And you sing and dance well.” She shook a finger at Leesan. “You always buy those practical garments for your daughter. Sometimes a girl deserves a bit of dress-up. See how beautiful she is in this attire.”

“I–I—” Leesan bit her lip, stifling her response.

Yes, she could afford to buy a few luxurious outfits for Ann-Ann. But how about Nana and May-May? Every day, Hong Kong newspapers reported horrid political movements in China. How can we enjoy unnecessary items while they suffer?

Danny touched her hand. “I understand your concerns. I don’t mind buying this dress for Ann-Ann at all.”

A gentle warmth rose in her heart. He’s such a kind man.

The following Monday, Kam-Chu went out to visit her daughter. After dropping Ann-Ann off at school, Leesan returned to her room to write.

A knock interrupted her. When she opened the door, Danny flashed a broad grin. “Have you done your shopping for the New Year?”

She ran a hand through her newly permed hair. “Not yet. Why?”

“I plan to do it today. I must buy gifts for my parents back home and remember you need to do the same. Will you come along?”

A knot cinched up her stomach. What would happen if she went out with him alone?

He leaned forward. “We can go to the flower market afterward. I doubt you’ve had a chance to visit the market. Let’s go. It’ll be fun.”

Right. Hong Kong people liked to buy a tree full of tiny oranges from the flower market for the Chinese New Year, very much like Americans having a pine tree during Christmas. She did need to buy gifts for Nana and May-May. “Okay. I can’t go out for too long, though. I still have some pages to write.”

At the Wing-On store, Danny jammed his hands on his hips. “So many people. Maybe we shouldn’t buy anything just yet. Let’s go to the flower market.”

She followed him toward Mongkok, a major shopping area for locals on the Kowloon side. The entire place came alive with the festive spirit. Bright sunshine cast its rays on festivalgoers. Merchants shouted to attract passersby’s attention.

He wrapped an arm around her waist. “People are bumping against you.”

She tried to pull away. When he persisted, she gave out a faint sigh and let him hold her tight.

For a taste of main character Leesan’s steamed fish, Author R. F. Whong shares this recipe:

Steamed Fish with Ginger and Green Onion

For the recipe Click Here.

More about Blazing China:

For Fans of Amy Tan and Francine Rivers, Blazing China takes you on an extraordinary journey of a family, facing adversity and persecution with unyielding courage.

Live or believe? God or survival?

Ordinary Christians. Extraordinary circumstances. Beliefs under siege outside and conflicts within. Where do these women stand?

Leesan wants to produce heirs to carry on the Lee family name and manage their enormous estates. When she delivers identical twin girls, Ann-Ann and May-May, just before the Cultural Revolution in China, she cannot imagine how much their world is about to change. Now, with her husband dead, their land forfeited to the government, and their lives in jeopardy, Leesan, her mother-in-law, Su-Ann, and her daughters must surrender all that’s left of the past, even as they struggle to hold on to their Christian faith.

As the persecution intensifies, Red Guards murder those caught attending their home church, and the survivors are scattered in different directions. From Beijing to Inner Mongolia, from Hong Kong to California, hardship and the clash between ideologies challenge their faith, love, and loyalty.

Should they choose survival over God?

About the author:

Dr. Wuwong (PhD in biochemistry, MBA in finance) has published 120+ scientific books and papers (under her legal name) and a few Christian fiction books (Love at the Garden Tomb, The Way We Forgive, Blazing China, and Detour to Agape, under R. F. Whong). She lives in the Midwest with her husband, a retired pastor. They served together at three churches from 1987 to 2020. Her grown son works in a nearby city.

She currently runs a small biotech company (www.vidasym.com) and has raised more than twenty million US dollars during the past few years for Vidasym.

In addition to her weekly newsletter and the platform (www.ruthforchrist.com), she’s active in several writers’ groups, including ACFW, Word Weavers, Facebook, and Goodreads. Through these connections, she plans newsletter/promotion swaps with others and has writers endorse her books, write forewords, and host her on guest blogs.

Website: www.ruthforchrist.com