Roselle Lim > Quotes

“If my regrets and wishes were fireflies, the brilliance of their dance would turn night into day.”
― Roselle Lim, Natalie Tan's Book of Luck & Fortune

“Anything worth having involves some measure of pain and work. Because of this, you will treasure it more.”
― Roselle Lim, Natalie Tan's Book of Luck & Fortune

“Be true to yourself and to who you are. That is the key to gaining control of your life. If you find your missing thread, you find yourself.”
― Roselle Lim, Vanessa Yu's Magical Paris Tea Shop

“As I walked, I became aware of the strong odor of peonies and jasmine. I inhaled deeply to draw in the lovely bouquet. The scent was from the fresh flowers of a lush garden.
The path opened into a courtyard, a tangle of peonies and jasmine framing the entrance, blooming in spectacular fashion. Silky petals brushed against my skin. The tension building in my neck and shoulders melted away as I entered a fairyland.
The rustle of the night breeze joined the familiar voice of Teresa Teng echoing from invisible speakers. Beneath my feet, a path of moss-covered stones led to a circular platform surrounded by a large, shallow pond. The night garden was bursting with a palette of muted greens, starlit ivories, and sparkling golds: the verdant lichen and waxy lily pads in the pond, the snowy white peonies and jasmine flowers, and the metallic tones of the fireflies suspended in the air, the square-holed coins lining the floor of the pond, and the special golden three-legged creatures resting on the floating fronds.
I knew these creatures from my childhood. The feng shui symbol of prosperity, Jin Chan was transformed into a golden toad for stealing the peaches of immortality. Jin Chan's three legs represented heave, earth, and humanity. Statues of him graced every Chinese home I had ever been in, for fortune was a visitor always in demand. Ma-ma had placed one near the stairs leading to the front door.
The pond before me held eight fabled toads, each biting on a coin. If not for the subtle rise and fall of their vocal sacs, I would have thought them statues.”
― Roselle Lim, Natalie Tan's Book of Luck & Fortune

“Perhaps if you take a closer look, you can see that there's still hope in the most unlikely places.”
― Roselle Lim, Natalie Tan's Book of Luck & Fortune

“Eating was a selfish act, and sometimes one requiring privacy. True consumption was carnal.”
― Roselle Lim, Natalie Tan's Book of Luck & Fortune

“The universe unfurled in such unpredictable ways. We all moved in a constant celestial dance. The song ends and the music and our partner may change, but in order to survive we must continue dancing.”
― Roselle Lim, Natalie Tan's Book of Luck & Fortune

“The birds had multiplied. She'd installed rows upon rows of floating melamine shelves above shoulder height to accommodate the expression of her once humble collection. Though she'd had bird figurines all over the apartment, the bulk of her prized collection was confined to her bedroom because it had given her joy to wake up to them every morning. Before I'd left, I had a tradition of gifting her with bird figurines. It began with a storm petrel, a Wakamba carving of ebony wood from Kenya I had picked up at the museum gift shop from a sixth-grade school field trip. She'd adored the unexpected birthday present, and I had hunted for them since.
Clusters of ceramic birds were perched on every shelf. Her obsession had brought her happiness, so I'd fed it. The tiki bird from French Polynesia nested beside a delft bluebird from the Netherlands. One of my favorites was a glass rainbow macaw from an Argentinian artist that mimicked the vibrant barrios of Buenos Aires. Since the sixth grade, I'd given her one every year until I'd left: eight birds in total.
As I lifted each member of her extensive bird collection, I imagined Ma-ma was with me, telling a story about each one. There were no signs of dust anywhere; cleanliness had been her religion. I counted eighty-eight birds in total. Ma-ma had been busy collecting while I was gone.
I couldn't deny that every time I saw a beautiful feathered creature in figurine form, I thought of my mother. If only I'd sent her one, even a single bird, from my travels, it could have been the precursor to establishing communication once more.
Ma-ma had spoken to her birds often, especially when she cleaned them every Saturday morning. I had imagined she was some fairy-tale princess in the Black Forest holding court over an avian kingdom.
I was tempted to speak to them now, but I didn't want to be the one to convey the loss of their queen.
Suddenly, however, Ma-ma's collection stirred.
It began as a single chirp, a mournful cry swelling into a chorus. The figurines burst into song, tiny beaks opening, chests puffed, to release a somber tribute to their departed beloved. The tune was unfamiliar, yet its melancholy was palpable, rising, surging until the final trill when every bird bowed their heads toward the empty bed, frozen as if they hadn't sung seconds before.
I thanked them for the happiness they'd bestowed on Ma-ma.”
― Roselle Lim, Natalie Tan's Book of Luck & Fortune

“If this was love, let me disintegrate into a thousand beams of light in the night sky.”
― Roselle Lim, Natalie Tan's Book of Luck and Fortune

“Food comforts, heals, and is the only lover I will ever take.”
― Roselle Lim, Natalie Tan's Book of Luck & Fortune

“Her store was small but cozy. Pastel vases presented fresh pink peonies on the windowsills while Teresa Tang sang through the speakers. My lifelong love affair with tea had begun here at a very young age. I'd had my formal introduction to rooibos, matcha, chai, maté, and pu'erh, all seducing me with their floral, fruity, earthy scents.”
― Roselle Lim, Natalie Tan's Book of Luck & Fortune

“There isn't anything wrong with knowing that something will expire. It focuses you: treasure the time you have together.”
― Roselle Lim, Vanessa Yu's Magical Paris Tea Shop

“Yin-yang fried rice was a feast for the eyes and the senses. Swirls of cream contrasted with an orange tomato sauce to form the iconic pattern. Underneath the sauces lay a bed of yang chow fried rice containing a bounty of minced jewels: barbecued pork, Chinese sausage, peas, carrots, spring onions, and wisps of egg. Slices of white onions and pork emerged from the tomato sauce while shrimp and sweet green peas decorated the cream.”
― Roselle Lim, Natalie Tan's Book of Luck & Fortune

“Folks could claim they served their dishes to dignitaries, kings, and empresses, but few had the impact of cooking for immortals. And it wasn't only the honor that drew people to the banquet, it was its life-changing prize. The winners of the Celestial Banquet would each receive a priceless gift: a peach of immortality.
Three vertical banners in shades of jeweled green bearing the names of the major gods unfurled next--- Luck, Temperance, and Indulgence. Everyone on the Continent worshipped the gods. They presided over our world but only came down every ten years for the competition-- a legendary celebration of the vanquishing of Death. They were the arbiters of taste. Not only did they shape the culinary landscape, but their choice of whom to award the peaches had a far-reaching impact--- the valuable prize provided the winning team the bargaining power to defend. For me, it would mean making my dreams a reality and honoring my father's dying wish.”
― Roselle Lim, Celestial Banquet

“The plate features seared sea serpent with poached meadow flower breams."
The acidic bath method had worked. The flesh of the sea serpent had transformed yet again and changed to a very iron-rich deep red. The taste was reminiscent of fatty tuna, with a stronger metallic edge. I'd set the filets in shallow clay bowls and bathed them in a marinade made of coriander, minced ginger, chilies, kalamansi, and my signature soy sauce.
I'd toasted black sesame seeds and combined them with crushed pink peppercorns as a rub--- the crust to create a contrast for the tender, almost jellied meat underneath. On the side, I added the poached filets of meadow flower breams in a rich golden sauce with singing carp caviar.”
― Roselle Lim, Celestial Banquet

“I combined garlic, five-spice, black peppercorns, Thai chilies, and paprika in a large bowl for the seasoning. I tumbled two pounds of chicken wings out of their brown paper wrappings and into the waiting bowl, where I kneaded the pungent mixture into them, squeezing the spices into the meat like an experienced massage therapist. Another bowl full of Shaoxing rice wine awaited the wings as the next step after their rigorous massage. They soaked and relaxed, basking in the pool of wine to become drunken like their name.”
― Roselle Lim, Natalie Tan's Book of Luck & Fortune

“The release of steam created a sigh in the air, acting as the prayer before a meal, the ceremonial ribbon cutting before the devouring. Eating crab was a leisurely pursuit. The sweet treasure of crabmeat could only be unlocked by a deft grip or the aid of a steel seafood cracker.
I offered the coveted heavy female crab to my guest. He smiled and brandished his cracker, shattering the shell in strategic spots. He attacked with purpose: disassembling, dissecting to get to the jeweled fat and eggs inside.
While Older Shen ate, I proceeded with my own crab, prying the carapace open by pulling on its apron. The juices dripped down my fingers as I attacked the meat in the body first. My favorite parts were the legs because of how little effort they took compared to the claw and the minute chambers of the body. I sucked the meat from the hollow legs, careful to avoid the plasticky cartilage. The sweetness of the crab complemented the spicy, tangy dipping sauce I'd provided. Flecks of green onion and yellow disks of chili pepper seeds floated in the red wine vinegar.”
― Roselle Lim, Natalie Tan's Book of Luck & Fortune

“A league of dragons emerged from the steam, all in a white, cloudy vapor. They flew upward to the sky. The fragrance of the tea reminded me of the high altitudes of the mountain, the blooming peonies from the rooftop garden, and the brininess of the Singing Sea. The intoxicating taste introduced an umami flavor I'd never experienced in any drink. The punch from its intensity matched my first taste of flame song whiskey and its richness, that of the most pungent king oyster mushrooms.”
― Roselle Lim, Celestial Banquet

“The frostbite berries should work. They'd been used before when dealing with volatile, fiery ingredients like dragon's breath fungus, firebird nests, and ruby treasure arowanas. The berries, which were harvested in the northern Nomad territory, were a common staple in their diet and a big export. The properties of the fruit neutralized the dangerous aspects of powerful ingredients in temperature and spice level.”
― Roselle Lim, Celestial Banquet

“The day we find out our parents are flawed people is the first sign of adulthood. It isn’t getting your first job or paying your bills. It’s the moment you see the world for the first time on your own terms.”
― Roselle Lim, Sophie Go's Lonely Hearts Club

“And the only way you could taste the faraway ocean was through the jewels Mutyan fishermen harvested from its depths. Every shell cracked and fish gutted yielded the briny perfume of endless water.
I raised my eyes to catch the signal my boss made. He tugged on his left earlobe to confirm the plan to acquire the carp. A female carp yielded a small number of eggs, and this particular rare species created a buttery, nutty roe that was prized by the nobility.”
― Roselle Lim, Celestial Banquet

“Authenticity in its splendor always carried flaws.”
― Roselle Lim, Natalie Tan's Book of Luck and Fortune

“Once the soup stock was underway and infused with the desert silkie chicken, I dipped my spoon into the bubbling broth to test it. Warmth filled my stomach as I sipped. The rich, gamey flavor of the chicken rose above the simmering spices. A pleasant numbness tickled my tongue, and a puff of smoke emerged from my nostrils. The spiciness had a sour, savory dynamic that, combined with the ingredients I'd chosen, created a wonderfully complex profile.”
― Roselle Lim, Celestial Banquet

“After charring the thousand dragon's tea to ash, I steeped it with a silkie chicken, dried cloud's ear mushrooms, scallions, and cured, salted fish. Making a few adjustments, I added in some pungent star anise, purple scallions, scorpion chilis, and black garlic. As if I were a witch, I concocted the most powerful brew--- a potent broth to steam the rice, a punch to the tongue and teeth.”
― Roselle Lim, Celestial Banquet

“And this last one is Ophiuchus, the serpent bearer, and thirteenth sign.” She trailed her index finger along a U-shaped sign with an undulating line across it. “Not many people believe in it, but hard-core astrologers do.”
― Roselle Lim, Night for Day

“Pubu embodied femininity--- a perfect powdered face, poppy-red lips, painted brows, and a pleasing form doused in patchouli and amber. Jingling jade and gold bracelets encircled slender white wrists. A pink lotus flower opened and reopened at the crown of her ink-black upswept hair. Mist and waterfall spray covered her low-cut pale blue silk gown while enchanting golden, white, and red goldfish swam along the fabric, bobbing in constant motion.”
― Roselle Lim, Celestial Banquet

“Sometimes you can’t please them, but it’s your duty as their child to try.”
― Roselle Lim, Sophie Go's Lonely Hearts Club

“Pubu had an ethereal quality that mortals lacked--- no blemishes, perfect features, a sparkling aura meant to bewitch and enchant, and perfume reminiscent of mist-covered tea roses against a refreshing waterfall, her namesake. The goldfish on her elaborate robes jumped into the air and dove back into the aquamarine silk with a splashing plop.”
― Roselle Lim, Celestial Banquet

“Wu’s reedy build had always reminded me of a malevolent grasshopper.”
― Roselle Lim, Natalie Tan's Book of Luck and Fortune

“Wishes are worth nothing because there’s so many of them. If they turned into stars, there will be no sky left.”
― Roselle Lim, Natalie Tan's Book of Luck & Fortune