De-leafing of Cangkok Manis

I often pass by this corner shop on my way to work. This Foochow lady is very interesting and often cares to chat a little. I normally would stop longer if I were the only customer. It strikes me as very interesting as she pulls the leaves off the mani chai (sayur manis or changkok manis).
This is the only stall in Miri I think that sells cangkok manis leaves only and by weighing. She will sit down there diligently and pull away all the leaves from the stalks. In Foochow the verb is "lak" or pull the leaves off a stalk.



Here she is helping to de-leaf the mani chai or cangkok manis and place the nice leaves into a plastic bag for a customer. In other places the customer will buy all cangkok manis with stalks.

Cangkok manis is an unusual green which is very sweet when stir fried with eggs or some balacan. I like it in sup terjun (prepare a tasty soup base and when the soup is boiling throw in the leaves).

I have even replaced the spinach with cangkok manis when a made quiche years ago. Came out very nice ....

Years ago when I was young all my neighbours' kids would be beaten by their mothers using these cangkok manis stalks. It was really a painful business. I was lucky to come from a home where parents did not believe in beating of children.

Cangkok manis strangely is not popular in West Malaysia and apparently only a few families plant it according to a friend. To me it is a good ingredient for pan mien (hand made noodles) and mee sua......

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