With the Lunar New Year on Jan. 22 this year and in keeping up with the crafts of the celebration, there must be food to match! This special holiday is filled with a stand-out in everything from decor to dining and it all comes with a rhyme and reason. This is the year of the rabbit which is the luckiest of the 12 animals in the Chinese zodiac. The rabbit is said to bring prosperity, hope, and calmness. The foods served during this festive time also have meaning behind them which is believed to bring good luck for the coming year. So without further ado, here are some authentic foods served and celebrated during the Lunar New Year and the recipes to go with them!
Whole Fish for Abundance
年年有余 (Niánnián yǒu yú /nyen-nyen yo yoo/): May you always have more than you need! So, having leftovers is a good thing!
Ingredients
- 2 whole fish, 1 to 1½ pounds each
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 3 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 5 slices ginger (1/8-inch thick)
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 2 tablespoons hot water
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- ¼ teaspoon sesame oil
- 2 scallions (chopped)
Instructions
- Clean the fish, removing all scales
- Drain in a colander and pat dry with a paper towel.
- Transfer to a plate. Sprinkle both sides with salt. Set aside.
- Heat a wok or skillet over medium-high heat.
- Spread 3 tablespoons of oil around the perimeter.
- Add the ginger, cooking ten seconds on each side.
- Use a paper towel to pat the fish dry again and carefully place into the wok.
- After about one minute, turn the heat down to medium to get a light crust on the skin without it burning.
- Tilt the wok one side at a time to distribute oil around the perimeter of the fish.
- Continue frying the fish for 5 to 6 minutes on the first side until a light crust forms.
- When the fish slides and the first side is golden brown, lift and flip it over.
- Let the fish fry on the second side for another 4 minutes.
- While the fish is frying, dissolve the sugar and hot water in a small bowl then add the soy sauce and sesame oil.
- Pour the soy sauce mixture around the perimeter of the wok and simmer.
- Add the chopped scallions.
- Use a spatula to carefully transfer the fish to serving plates.
- Pour remaining sauce evenly over the fish and serve!
Sticky Rice Balls for Togetherness
团团圆圆 (Tuántuán yuányuán /twann-twann ywen-ywen/ ‘group-group round-round’): Happy family reunion! Though the varieties are many, the meaning is the same!
Ingredients
- 3/4 cup of sushi rice
- 1 cup of water
- Fillings *This is your preference. Some suggestions are listed in the directions below.
Instructions
- Bring 3/4 cups sushi rice and 1 cup water to a boil.
- Reduce heat to low and cover for 20 minutes.
- Remove from heat and let sit covered for another 10 minutes. This will make 2 cups of cooked rice, enough for about 7-8 balls.
- Prepare your choice of fillings such as small amounts of finely chopped meat and/or veggies.The rice subdues the flavor, so strong fillings work best. Try salmon, tuna and mayonnaise, minced chicken and soy sauce or keep them simple with salt and toasted sesame seeds.
- With fillings ready, lay out a piece of plastic wrap and measure 1/4 cup lightly packed rice.
- Place rice on the wrap and press down in the center to indent.
- Fill the indention with 1 teaspoon of filling.
- Cup the rice in your hand, pushing the filling down, then close your fingers around it as if you were holding a ball. This wraps the rice around the filling.
- Gather the plastic wrap around the ball tightly, and use one hand to squeeze it into a ball shape while holding the top closed with the other hand.
- When you have a tight ball, fold the wrap back and place on a serving plate.
Noodles for Longevity
(长寿面 Chángshòu Miàn /chung-show myen/) unsurprisingly symbolizes a wish for longevity. The longer the noodles, the longer life is expected to be.
Ingredients
- 8 ounces very thin long wheat-flour noodles or rice noodles
- 2 tablespoons toasted sesame oil…more if needed
- 3 small cloves garlic finely minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh ginger minced or grated
- 1 to 2 tablespoons soy sauce…more if needed
- Sea salt and ground white pepper to taste
- diced green onions for garnish
- sesame seeds for garnish
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat.
- Add the noodles, stir and cook for about 4 minutes.
- Drain and rinse with cold water.
- Set aside in a large serving bowl.
- In a separate small bowl, whisk together the sesame oil, garlic, ginger, soy sauce, salt and white pepper to taste, combining well.
- Pour the mixture over noodles and toss well to coat.
- Add more salt, pepper, sesame oil or soy sauce if needed.
- Garnish with diced green onions and sesame seeds.
- Serve immediately.
Dumplings for Wealth
(饺子 Jiǎozi /jyaoww-dzrr/) Chinese dumplings are a classic food for Lunar New Year which symbolizes good luck. Also, they resemble money pouches and are said to represent fortune and prosperity in the coming year.
Ingredients
- ½ cup water
- ½ pound ground pork
- ½ pound Chinese cabbage, cut finely
- ½ tsp salt
- 2 teaspoons grated ginger
- ½ tsp sesame oil
- 3 dashes white pepper
- 1 tsp Shaoxing wine
- 1 pack of dumpling skin
- Rice vinegar or Chinese black vinegar for dipping
Directions
- Combine ground pork, cabbage and seasoning. Set aside.
- Place a small spoonful of the filling in the center of the dumpling skin and dab water with your finger around the edge of the skin. Fold and pleat the skin.
- Heat a non-stick skillet over medium-high heat adding one tablespoon of oil.
- Add 10 to 12 dumplings and cook for two to three minutes, until the bottom is browned.
- Add 1/3 cup water, cover and steam the dumplings until the liquid is absorbed (about 5 minutes).
- Remove and cook the remainder of the dumplings.
- Serve with vinegar.
Related: Traditional New Year’s Recipes From Around the World!