East and Southeast Asians across the globe are preparing for the upcoming Lunar New Year festivities, set to commence on 17 February and extend over a period of 15 days.
In the Chinese zodiac tradition, each year is associated with an element, and as we enter the Year of the Fire Horse, significant life transformations are anticipated. This zodiac cycle symbolizes a period of intense activity, personal development, and a heightened pace of life.
Given its occurrence only once every 60 years, some individuals may not witness this event again in their lifetime.
To commemorate the Year of the Fire Horse, we had the pleasure of conversing with author Angela Hui, who shared her affection for the Lunar New Year and the cherished moments spent with loved ones, along with a delightful recipe that you can easily prepare at home.
Before delving into the culinary realm, why not try your hand at crafting a paper fire horse using the traditional Chinese art of paper folding, courtesy of Tesco? Simply utilize the provided sheet and follow the instructions in the accompanying video.
The Lunar New Year holds a special place in many hearts, often referred to as the “Asian Christmas,” marking the most significant holiday in the cultural calendar. It is a time for family reunions, paying respects to ancestors, and ushering in good fortune.
One of the highlights of returning home is cooking alongside my expert chef mother. Despite the cliché, food acts as our language of love, facilitating communication between us. As we engage in culinary activities together, time seems to fade away. We engage in lively conversations while preparing dumplings or silently chopping vegetables side by side, embodying a comforting kitchen harmony where words are superfluous.
Food not only plays a pivotal role in our bonding but also guides our celebration planning. In Chinese tradition, it is customary to serve symbolic dishes that signify aspirations for the upcoming year. We eagerly deliberate on our family Lunar New Year menu days ahead, exchanging recipe suggestions, photos, videos, and voice notes. “A whole steamed fish is a necessity,” my mother emphasizes: “年年有余, leen leen yow yu.”
In Cantonese, the word for fish, yu, phonetically resembles terms associated with surplus and abundance, reflecting the desire for perpetual prosperity. “What about dumplings?” I propose. Dumplings are emblematic of wealth, with the belief that consuming more will lead to increased fortune, given their resemblance to ancient gold ingots.
“We could fashion money bag dumplings using cabbage wraps,” I suggest. Our discussions continue, evolving into a detailed plan comprising eight dishes symbolizing prosperity, luck, and completeness.
The steamed fish recipe I’ve shared below allows you to recreate this delectable dish in the comfort of your home, with all necessary ingredients available at Tesco.
Ingredients:
– 1 whole or filleted seabass, gutted and descaled
– 1/4 tsp white sugar
– 1/2 thumb of ginger
– 1 spring onion
– 1 handful of fresh coriander
– 1 tbsp light soy sauce
– 1 tsp sesame oil
– 1 tbsp vegetable oil
Serve with:
– White jasmine rice
– Pak choi or choi sum (optional)
Instructions:
– Thoroughly clean the fish and remove any scales.
– Pat the fish dry and place it on a heatproof plate for steaming.
– Steam the fish until cooked, adding sugar to enhance the flavor.
– Prepare the ginger, spring onion, and coriander as toppings.
– Drizzle soy sauce and sesame oil over the steamed fish.
– Heat vegetable oil and pour it over the fish.
– Serve with rice and greens.
The Year of the Fire Horse may herald a period of significant change, new prospects, personal growth, and a faster pace of life. However, the Lunar New Year serves as a gentle reminder to pause, appreciate time with family, bid farewell to the old year, welcome prosperity for the new one, and make space for indulging in delicious feasts.