East and Southeast Asians worldwide are preparing for the upcoming Lunar New Year celebration, set to commence on February 17 and extend over a 15-day period. Each year in the Chinese zodiac is linked to an element, and with the arrival of the Year of the Fire Horse, significant life transformations are anticipated. This year is associated with daring decisions, personal development, and a heightened pace of living.
Given that this zodiac year occurs only once every six decades, for some individuals, this will be a once-in-a-lifetime experience. In honor of the Year of the Fire Horse, we had a conversation with author Angela Hui. She shared her affection for the Lunar New Year festivities and the cherished moments spent with loved ones, along with a delightful recipe that you can easily recreate at home.
Before you step into the kitchen to try out the recipe, why not craft your own fire horse through the traditional Chinese art of paper folding, courtesy of Tesco? Simply access the provided sheet and follow the guidance in the accompanying video.
The Lunar New Year holds a special place in many hearts, often referred to as “Asian Christmas” as it stands as one of the most significant holidays in the cultural calendar. It serves as a time for family gatherings, paying respects to ancestors, and inviting good luck into the new year.
One of the highlights of this festive period for me is the opportunity to cook alongside my talented chef mother. Food serves as our primary mode of communication, and when we cook together, time seems to stand still. Engaged in the kitchen tasks, we engage in casual conversations like old friends, whether it’s folding dumplings or silently chopping vegetables side by side. The unspoken rhythm of the kitchen bonding us in a unique way where words are often unnecessary.
Food not only influences our bonding but also shapes how we curate the celebration. In Chinese tradition, serving symbolic foods that embody aspirations for the upcoming year is customary. We eagerly discuss and plan the Lunar New Year menu well in advance, exchanging recipe suggestions, photos, videos, and voice notes. “A whole steamed fish is a must,” my mother insists, linking it to the wish for abundance and prosperity year after year.
In Cantonese tradition, fish, symbolized by the word “yu,” sounds like the terms for surplus and abundance, aligning with the desire for continuous prosperity. The discussion continues as we consider dumplings, representing wealth, and the belief that consuming more will bring greater riches, given their resemblance to ancient gold ingots.
Brainstorming further, I suggest creating money bag dumplings using cabbage wrappers. We deliberate back and forth until settling on a selection of eight dishes symbolizing prosperity, luck, and fulfillment.
To aid your culinary journey, I’ve included my steamed fish recipe below, featuring simple ingredients that can be readily sourced from Tesco. This dish can be accompanied by white jasmine rice and pak choi or choi sum, if desired.
This Lunar New Year may herald a period of significant change, presenting fresh opportunities, personal growth, and an accelerated pace of life. Nevertheless, amidst the whirlwind of transformation, the essence of the Lunar New Year urges us to pause, relish time with family, bid farewell to the old year, welcome prosperity in the new, and leave room for a second helping.
