The New Year prep.....

.....continues.

After an over night boil, in a giant pot that covered all 4 hobs, the 28 parcels (wrapped in yesterday's leaf) emerge, all plump and soft and fragrant.

Ready to be eaten over the next few days ;)

Bánh ch?ng is a traditional Vietnamese rice cake which is made from glutinous rice, mung bean, pork and other ingredients. Its origin is told by the legend of Lang Liêu, a prince of the sixth Hùng V??ng, who became Hùng V??ng's successor thank to his creation of bánh ch?ng and bánh dày, which symbolized respectively the Earth and the Sky. Considered an essential element of the family altar on the occasion of T?t (the Vietnamese New Year), the making and eating bánh ch?ng during this time is a well-preserved tradition of Vietnamese people.