East and Southeast Asian communities worldwide are preparing to observe the Lunar New Year, which is set to commence on 17 February and continue for a span of 15 days. Each year in the Chinese zodiac aligns with a specific element within the cycle. With the arrival of the Year of the Fire Horse, this zodiac period signifies a time for significant life adjustments, characterized by intense action, personal development, and a heightened pace of living.
Given that this particular zodiac year occurs only once every 60 years in the zodiac calendar, some individuals may not encounter it again in their lifetime. To commemorate the Year of the Fire Horse, we engaged in a conversation with author Angela Hui, who fondly shared her affection for the Lunar New Year festivities and the cherished moments spent with loved ones. Additionally, she provided a delightful recipe for a homemade dish.
Before embarking on your culinary venture, why not create your own fire horse utilizing the art of Chinese paper folding, courtesy of Tesco? Simply access the provided sheet and follow the instructional video for guidance.
The Lunar New Year holds a special place in many hearts, often referred to as “Asian Christmas” due to its prominence as the most significant holiday in the calendar. It serves as a time for family gatherings, honoring ancestors, and inviting good fortune.
One of the most cherished aspects of returning home during this period is the opportunity to cook alongside my skilled chef mother. Food, as clichéd as it may sound, serves as our language of love, facilitating communication between us. As we cook together, time seems to slip away, with conversations flowing effortlessly while we prepare dumplings or chop vegetables in harmony. There is a comforting rhythm in our unspoken connection within the kitchen where mere presence suffices, and words become unnecessary.
Food not only plays a pivotal role in our celebrations but also influences our planning for the festivities. In Chinese tradition, it is customary to serve symbolic dishes that embody aspirations for the forthcoming year. Consequently, we eagerly delve into extensive discussions regarding the family Lunar New Year menu days in advance, exchanging recipe ideas, photos, videos, and voice notes. “Whole steamed fish is indispensable,” my mother insists, citing the auspicious phrase “年年有余, leen leen yow yu.”
In Cantonese culture, the term for fish, yu, phonetically resembles the words for surplus and abundance, symbolizing the desire for ongoing prosperity. “What about dumplings?” I inquire. Dumplings are synonymous with wealth, with the belief that consuming more leads to increased affluence. Their shape mirrors ancient gold ingots, encouraging a generous serving.
Proposing the idea of crafting money bag dumplings using cabbage wrappers, we engage in a lively exchange, meticulously planning until our conversation history is saturated with voice notes. Eventually, we settle on a selection of eight dishes symbolizing prosperity, luck, and completeness.
Below, you will find my recipe for steamed fish, allowing you to recreate this delectable dish at home with ingredients readily available at Tesco.
[Ingredients list and instructions provided for preparing the steamed fish dish]
While this year may signal a period of significant transformation, brimming with fresh prospects, personal growth, and an accelerated lifestyle, the Lunar New Year serves as a gentle reminder to pause, come together with family, bid farewell to the old year, usher in prosperity for the new one, and perhaps make space for that extra stomach.