East and Southeast Asians worldwide are preparing to observe the Lunar New Year, scheduled for February 17 and spanning 15 days this year.
Each Chinese zodiac year is linked to an element within the cycle. Welcoming the Year of the Fire Horse signals a period conducive to significant life transformations. This zodiac year is synonymous with intense action, personal development, and a heightened pace of living.
Given that it only occurs once every 60 years on the zodiac calendar, some individuals may not encounter it again in their lifetime.
In honor of the Year of the Fire Horse, we connected with author Angela Hui, who expressed her fondness for the Lunar New Year and the cherished moments shared with loved ones, alongside offering a delightful recipe for home preparation.
Before embarking on culinary adventures, why not craft your own fire horse utilizing the traditional Chinese art of paper folding, courtesy of Tesco? Simply access the printable sheet below and follow the instructions in the accompanying video.
Lunar New Year holds a special place as one of the most significant occasions, often dubbed “Asian Christmas” within many households.
It serves as a time for family gatherings, paying tribute to ancestors, and welcoming good luck.
One of the highlights for me is the opportunity to cook alongside my culinary expert mother. Food serves as our language of love, fostering communication between us.
As we engage in joint cooking sessions, time seems to fade away. Engrossed in tasks like pleating dumplings or quietly chopping vegetables side by side, we engage in chatter akin to that of family elders. There’s a comforting rhythm in our unspoken kitchen interactions. Merely being in each other’s presence suffices, with words often becoming unnecessary.
Food plays a crucial role in shaping our festive plans. Chinese tradition dictates the inclusion of symbolic foods that embody aspirations for the upcoming year.
We eagerly delve into planning the family Lunar New Year menu days ahead, exchanging recipe ideas, photos, videos, and voice messages. “A whole steamed fish is essential,” Mom insists, symbolizing the wish for surplus and abundance each year.
I suggest incorporating dumplings as they symbolize wealth, believed to enhance prosperity with every bite. Their resemblance to ancient gold ingots encourages indulging in abundance.
“Let’s try making money bag dumplings using cabbage wraps,” I propose.
Engaging in a back-and-forth dialogue, we meticulously curate a menu comprising eight dishes symbolizing affluence, fortune, and fulfillment.
I’ve shared my steamed fish recipe for your home cooking pleasure below. All the necessary ingredients can be conveniently sourced from Tesco.
Ingredients:
– Whole or filleted seabass, gutted and descaled
– White sugar
– Ginger
– Spring onion
– Fresh coriander
– Light soy sauce
– Sesame oil
– Vegetable oil
Serve with:
– White jasmine rice
– Pak choi or choi sum (optional)
Instructions:
1. Clean the fish and remove scales thoroughly.
2. Pat the fish dry and place on a heatproof plate for steaming.
3. Steam the fish until cooked.
4. Prepare ginger, spring onion, and coriander to garnish the fish.
5. Drizzle soy sauce and sesame oil over the fish.
6. Heat vegetable oil and drizzle over the fish.
7. Serve with rice and greens.
While the Year of the Fire Horse signifies a period of dynamic change, offering fresh opportunities, personal growth, and a faster pace of life, the Lunar New Year reminds us to pause and cherish time with family. It signifies bidding farewell to the old year, ushering in prosperity for the new one, and making room for festive feasting.