Whether or not you celebrate Chinese New Year, there’s always room for some tasty Chinese food, so why not take advantage of the Chinese New Year deals at your local grocery store and whip up a feast for your friends and family?
Chinese New Year celebrations start on January 23rd and last for 15 days and, if you’re into astrology, this year marks the year of the fierce and fire-breathing dragon! Pick a night between January 23rd and February 8th that will accommodate everyone and set the theme by serving some spicy “dragon” food.
The Chinese eat “lucky” foods during this celebration, so it can get a little complicated if you don’t know a lot about them. By using this list, I was able to find some recipes on our website to help you get started. It wasn’t very hard as chicken is on the list and symbolizes happiness, marriage and family reunion.
- CHICKEN represents marriage and happiness
- WHOLE CHICKEN ̶ family reunion
- EGGS ̶ fertility
- EGG ROLL/SPRING ROLLS ̶ wealth
- NOODLES ̶ a long life
- PEANUTS ̶ a long life
- SEEDS ̶ having a large number of kids
- TANGERINES ̶ luck
- ORANGES ̶ wealth
- POMELO ̶ abundance, prosperity, having children
- FISH (served whole) – prosperity
- DRIED BEAN CURD (not fresh) ̶ fresh tofu is white and the colour white represents death and misfortune
- BAMBOO shoots – wealth
- SEAWEED (black moss) ̶ wealth
- LYCHEE ̶ close family ties
- CHINESE GARLIC CHIVES ̶ everlasting, a long life
- DUMPLINGS ̶ good financial tidings
- LETTUCE ̶ rising fortune
- CLAMS ̶ wealth
Here are the “lucky” recipes for you to enjoy!
Egg Rolls with Sweet Heat Dipping Sauce
Chili Orange Flattened Chicken
Chinese-Style Steamed Chicken Broccoli (rice cooker)
