8 Lucky Foods For A Lucky New Year
Chinese New Year (also called Spring Festival) is the most important well-celebrated occasion observed by the Chinese community. This year, it falls on February 3, 2011. Among the regional customs and traditions looked forward to during this event, food is one of the most fondly anticipated stuff.
As the Chinese have associated some delicacies to good luck and prosperity, here are some menu ideas that you can have in celebration of the Chinese New Year. Take a filling journey to the Chinese gastronomic flair of wealth and fortune!
1. Sticky Rice Cake. Sticky rice cake or more commonly known locally as Tikoy is a popular dessert eaten during this festive season. Made from glutinous rice with sugar, it implies a lot of symbolic significance. Its sweetness symbolizes a rich, sweet life for the New Year. It also denotes rising abundance and family togetherness. Filipinos already adapted this food custom, and usually prefer it pan-fried with egg and served warm.
2. Noodle Recipes. Noodles are among the staple foods of Chinese people. It signifies longevity and is recommended to be eaten whole, without cutting up a strand. There are various noodle dishes that can be cooked such as lomi, canton, fried noodles and others which can be topped with vegetables, meat, seafood and flavorful spices.
3. Lettuce Wraps. Any dish wrapped with lettuce leaves is ideal during the Chinese New Year feast. In Cantonese, the word lettuce sounds like “rising fortune”. Lettuce wraps are best filled with other lucky foods such as chicken and dried oysters mixed with vegetables and spicy sauce.
4. Chinese Dumplings. Dumplings are among the artistic food masterpieces of the Chinese people. Boiled or pan-fried, they usually come in various shapes, filled with meat and vegetables. Round dumplings signify family reunions, while the crescent-shaped ones symbolize wealth and prosperity since they resembles the ancient Chinese money (silver ingots).
5. Steamed Fish. The word for fish is “Yu” which sounds like the words for wish and abundance, thus serving fish means wishing for abundance in the coming year. Fish served in whole, with head and tail attached, symbolizes a good beginning and ending for the year to come.
6. Sweet and Sour Pork. This dish is popular among Chinese families who wish to have a lot of grandchildren. Aside from being a lucky dish, this typical course is easy to prepare. Made from deep-fried pork, pineapple and sweet bell pepper coated with a sweet and sour sauce, it simply brings a delectable experience.
7. Peking Duck. Peking duck is a traditional, authentic Chinese dish which represents fidelity. The red color feature of this meaningful favorite stands for happiness. Definitely this roasted delight is a must have on a Chinese New Year’s banquet.
8. Lemon Grilled Chicken. In Chinese culture, chicken symbolizes good marriage and happiness. If served whole, it emphasizes family togetherness. Simply soaked chicken pieces on a flavorful marinate and grill until they are nicely browned. This could be a perfect main dish to enjoy a festive celebration.
There you go, 8 dishes that will certainly bring you good fortune and an appetizing Chinese New Year celebration. Kung Hei Fat Choi!
Eduardo Eusebio
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