Thunder tea rice: The 2,000-year-old healthy grain bowl

 

Thousands of miles from where the 2,000-year-old grain bowl called lei cha, or "thunder tea rice", was first created in China, Hakka chef Pang Kok Keong has reworked the ancient delicacy in his Singapore kitchen for a new generation of healthy eaters.

Thunder tea rice – a bowl of rice topped with a balanced mix of vegetables, peanuts, dried fish and more, served alongside a boldy flavoured green "tea soup" – is a specialty of the Hakka people in Guangdong Province. The Hakka, of which there are many groups, originated in China's Central Plains. Over centuries of war, they migrated in many directions. In the 4th Century, they moved south to escape famine and war, making their home in the mountains. It was here they were given a new name by locals.

"[They were] called Kejia Ren (Guest People) because they do not have a province of their own," says anthropologist Dr Vivienne Wee. Centuries later, the Hakka journeyed further to countries such as Taiwan, Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia, taking their recipes with them, including thunder tea rice. 

Heavy snow hits US, bringing widespread travel disruption

 Monday morning commutes could be disrupted

published at 22:32

The winter storm is forecast to continue causing disruption into Monday, specifically in the Mid Atlantic region.

In Pittsburgh, the National Weather Service (NWS) says that heavy snow is forecast before both the morning and evening commutes and warns of disruption.

A high rate of heavy snow will make it harder for ploughs to clear roads. the service says.

A blizzard warning has been issued for portions of central, south-central, south-west, and west-central Kansas due the severe weather.

The NWS has urged people to delay all travel due to the "treacherous and potentially life-threatening" conditions.

Visibility may drop below 0.25 miles (0.4km) due to falling and blowing snow, with "whiteout conditions" expected, it adds.

Gusts of up to 45mph (72 kmh) and an additional 2in (5cm) of snowfall are expected.

The alert is effective immediately and lasts until 18:00 local time on Sunday (00:00 GMT on Monday).

New York Begins Congestion Pricing Without Hiccups

 The proceeding tolling plan, the first of its kind in the nation, began on a Sunday in order to ease any glitches before Monday morning rush hour traffic. It seemed to be running smoothly as drivers got used to the new fee. Congestion pricing is finally here in New York City after decades of delays and fightbacks, including a failed last-ditch best effort by the State of New Jersey.

These are some of the world’s most traffic-choked streets, where cars crawl at less than 5 m.p.h. during Midtown rush hour. Transportation officials are hoping the new tolls will encourage more motorists to quit driving in favor of mass transit. Carlos Dallorso, 65, owns Spokesman Cycles, a bicycle sales and rental shop in Hunters Point.