Ms. Tam put the load down on the steps, reached out to remove the wooden clamps and large plastic pieces that covered the two carrying poles to keep out the rain. Every summer break, Ms. Tam went out to sell rice paper and candy in the afternoon to earn extra income to support her family.
At one end of the shoulder pole was an aluminum basin containing freshly cooked malt candy, with fragrant sesame sprinkled on top. At the other end of the shoulder pole was a tray, on which were rice paper and a basin of grated wax coconut, along with a Guigoz aluminum can (a can containing powdered milk) containing roasted peanuts. The sugar used by Ms. Tam to cook the candy was the popular oval-shaped yellow granulated sugar at that time. But I don’t know what secret she used, but when the candy was poured into the basin, it was a beautiful, shimmering honey-yellow color that emitted a gentle aroma. Just looking at it made me crave it to death.
Ingredients: malt and sesame candy, shredded coconut, crushed peanuts
Ms. Tam's rice paper has two types. One is coconut cream puffed rice paper, the other is black sesame rice paper. One side of the rice paper is placed in a bowl of candy, her two hands dance on the other side of the rice paper, the golden candy film follows her hands to cover the surface of the rice paper. Each layer of candy film is spread out, not broken, just like a thread of heaven across a silk strip. On top of that are white waxy coconut fibers, shaved from a homemade tool, a beer bottle cap attached to a wooden handle. Not only that, you have to sprinkle roasted peanuts crushed in half, then fold the rice paper upside down or leave it whole, depending on your preference.
How enjoyable it is to bite into a piece of candy rice paper right after a shower in the rain...
Candy rice paper
The rain makes me miss the crunching sound of the crispy rice paper when I put it in my mouth, the sweet taste of malt candy spreading on the tip of my tongue, then fading away because of the fatty taste of coconut and roasted peanuts... That was the summer of our children back then, not only the sound of cicadas chirping and the brilliant royal poinciana trees above...
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