I love Chinese new year. It usually means driving to see my mom’s family in Houston and gorging out on delicious Chinese food. Growing up, it meant red envelopes of new cash but we’re “too old” for that now. I’m not sure how you can possibly be too old to receive envelopes of money… but I digress. This year we can’t make it to Houston so I’ve decided to make our own feast!
I actually didn’t realize this week was Chinese New Year until yesterday so I’m glad I planned on cooking from the pantry this week and didn’t go grocery shopping over the weekend cause now I won’t feel bad going out to shop for the feast! Chinese new year is on tomorrow and technically lasts for 14 days, ending with the Lantern festival. So I hope to take this time getting back to my roots and spending more time fixing Chinese food. Its almost a crime that I’m half Chinese and you only see 1 or 2 recipes in my blog that are for Chinese food!
As far as food goes for Chinese New Year, there are of course some symbolic meanings relating to food so here are some things to keep in mind when playing your own Chinese feast:
- Chicken and fish symbolize happiness and prosperity, especially when served whole which represents abundance; not all the fish should be eaten either because then your abundance will be overflowing into the next year
- Oranges represent wealth and good fortune
- Noodles represent longevity and long life. And therefore, they should never be cut!
- Duck symbolizes fidelity
- Eggs signify fertility
- Bean curd or tofu, however, is avoided because its white color which suggests death and misfortune
And without further ado… here’s the menu for this year’s grand feast. Hopefully I’ll be back with some actual recipes. I’m horrible about not measuring anything when I’m making Chinese food but I’m going to make an effort!
Appetizers:
Egg Drop Soup
Scallion Pancakes
Main Course:
Chicken Lo Mein
Hong Kong Style Fish (steamed maybe?)
Bok Choy w/ Shitake Mushrooms
Dessert:
Tangerine Sorbet
I also have to confess… this is going to be the first time I’ve ever prepared Chinese food for someone other than hubby. I’m nervous! Friends know I’m half chinese, so I feel like the bar is set pretty high but home cooking is a little different than Panda Express! 
{ 8 comments… read them below or add one }
Thank you Ash for your post. It’s very informative. I have been to China once and I made some friends there. I have been trying to find out if there is any festivities this weekend related to Chinese New Year and I haven’t been able to find anything so far. Do you know of any that you can share? will greatly appreciate it.
If you have a local Chinatown, check it out. There are usually dances and such! Try a google search for where you are… Chinese New Year 2008 and it should hopefully turn up something!
Thank you! I hope you post your recipes!
i miss getting those little red envelopes too! lunar new year was so much more fun back then
i had no idea you were half chinese! looking forward to seeing your recipes
Happy Chinese New Year to you!!!
Happy New Year!!! Your menu sounds absolutely delicious!! I’ll bet your guests are going to be floored with how wonderful it is.
I made Asian food today, but I had no idea I wasn’t supposed to cut the noodles! Crap! I’ve chopped my life into bits. :O I made curry chicken fried rice and Viet spring rolls….the cellophane noodles are kind of unwieldly, though, so I always cut them up. Shame on me.
Let me know how the lo mein turns out and if it’s great, then I want the recipe!!
I think you’re definitely up for the challenge
Can’t wait to see how it turns out, and happy chinese new year to you too!