February 21, 2015 – Sue's Seasonal Palate

February 21, 2015 Chinese New Year Retrospective

I shouldn’t be home, I should be landing in sunny Florida about now but a snowstorm changed our plans. Since Chinese New Year was this past week, I thought I would share some pictures from our celebrations of previous years.

I make spicy gingerbread cookies with the appropriate cutter for each year. The dragon (2012) is said to be vital, confident and gifted.

DSC_0006b — A Chinese soup dumpling. Making and sharing dumplings is a New Year’s tradition that fosters family togetherness and cooperation of spirit. Since dumplings are shaped like gold ingots, eating these “golden nuggets” confers prosperity for the New Year.

DSC_8397a — Potstickers and dipping sauce.

Yu Sheng, the New Year’s salad that probably originated in Singapore. It is served on the seventh day of the celebration and brings diners prosperity and good fortune.

DSC_0930b — Combining the East with the West, adzuki bean ice cream.

Noodles symbolize longevity. Spicy Sichuan Noodles feature the unique flavor of Sichuan peppercorns, banned in the United States until a few years ago.

DSC_0965b — Ingredients ready for the Chinese Hot Pot, everyone gets in on the cooking with this one.

Lion's Head meatballs in a clay pot cooker. — Lion’s Head meatballs in a clay pot cooker.

DSC_0346a — Wontons and pork buns.

Menu for the Year of the Pig (Boar) — Menu for the Year of the Pig (Boar).