This Sunday we celebrate Chinese New Year’s Eve with delicious food and usher in the Year of the Dragon. It is a special year, not only because it’s my personal Chinese Zodiac sign but more importantly because the dragon is a symbol of power. It’s also the only mythical creature in the Chinese Zodiac which lends itself to beautiful legends and myths for the Chinese people. The Chinese New Year celebration involves great tradition and great food. My brother Jason is living in Taiwan this year and we look forward to seeing his photos and hearing about his experience during the 15-day long celebration.

photo credit: Yum

Last year we celebrated my son’s 1st birthday with a Chinese New Year themed party. Our guests enjoyed tasty dim sum and an over the top dessert bar consisting of both Chinese and American sweets. Click here to view more photos. My, has the year gone by quickly!

This year, we are adding three new recipes by my mother Lucy dedicated to the Year of the Dragon:

Combination Chinese Chow Mein

Traditional Chinese Chicken Soup

Honey Nut Sticks

Here’s also a sampling of our family’s past Chinese New Year dinner menu:

Fried Wontons with Sweet & Sour Sauce

Pan Fried Gyoza Dumplings (aka Potstickers)

Boiled Soy Sauce Eggs

Chicken Hot & Sour Soup

Mongolian Beef

Baked Soy Sauce Chicken

Oven Baked Pork Ribs

Chicken Chow Mein

Stir-fry Spinach with Garlic

Crunch Tea Cookies

Banana Delight

We hope you and your families enjoy a healthy and prosperous New Year! Happy Eating.

– Melisa & Lucy

Happy Chinese New Year! Over the next two weeks our family and all of China will be celebrating Chinese New Year, The Year of the Rabbit. Here’s what the zodiac has to say about our furry little friend:

1915, 1927, 1939, 1951, 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999

People born in the Year of the Rabbit are articulate, talented, and ambitious. They are virtuous, reserved, and have excellent taste. Rabbit people are admired, trusted, and are often financially lucky. They are fond of gossip but are tactful and generally kind. Rabbit people seldom lose their temper. They are clever at business and being conscientious, never back out of a contract. They would make good gamblers for they have the uncanny gift of choosing the right thing. However, they seldom gamble, as they are conservative and wise. They are most compatible with those born in the years of the Sheep, Pig, and Dog.

But of course the Chinese celebrate best with food which is why I decided to celebrate my son Chase’s 1st Birthday with a “Year Of The Rabbit” themed bash!  The full recap can be found on my blog Project Nursery but in the meantime here are some fun party pics showcasing the decorative details and food!

Here’s the big one year old himself dressed for the occasion:

Catered Dim Sum was a delicious way to keep my adult guests intrigued. The kids were kept happy munching on potstickers and eggrolls but best of all, it’s a low maintenance meal that I could simply steam and serve. Clean up was a breeze since guest enjoyed eating their finger foods with chopsticks out of Chinese take out boxes.

I had the most fun with the sweets bar however. I transformed my dinning room to make room for guests. We went with authentic Chinese goodies and candies such as Moon Cakes, Sesame Balls, Wintermelon Cakes, Lychee Candy, Haw Flakes, Candied Water Chestnuts and more!

And because the party from held from 5pm-7pm, the children arrived in their PJ’s or “Mandarin Suits”. The big kids watched “Mulan” and “Kung-fu Panda” while making Chinese paper lantern crafts. Adults sipped on fun beverages thanks to a fully stocked bar. And what one year old party is complete without a signature drink or two? Burning Mandarin Martinis were hot but I think I had one too many Lychee infused champagne cocktails myself!

If your looking to celebrate by cooking a few Chinese dishes for dinner, we suggesting incorporating some of our favorite recipes below for the occasion.

Steamed Pork Buns
Wonton Soup
Chinese Slow Cooked Short Ribs
Chinese Steamed Rainbow Trout
Hong Kong Style Crispy Noodles
Chinese Meatballs with Napa Cabbage
Spicy Green Beans
Mandarin Orange Cake

While some of these recipes are not your traditional Chinese New Year foods they do have some symbolic meaning. In China, noodles signify a long life, a whole fish suggests that you will have enough food year round, meatballs mean you will have a smooth, round year and so on…

Wishing you health, peace and prosperity in the New Year!

“Legend has it that in ancient times, Buddha asked all the animals to meet him on Chinese New Year. Twelve came, and Buddha named a year after each one. He announced that the people born in each animal’s year would have some of that animal’s personality. Those born in ox years tend to be painters, engineers, and architects. They are stable, fearless, obstinate, hard-working and friendly.” – infoplease.com

Chinese New Year is one of the longest and most important celebrations in the Chinese calendar. January 26, 2009 is quickly approaching and with it comes delicious Chinese food. I just adore the way the Chinese celebrate their holidays with food. Need a quick tutorial on Chinese New Year history and tradition? Visit here. And If the traditional New Year foods consisting of taro root and turnip cakes doesn’t tantalize your taste buds, Chef Lucy has an All-American feast she’s preparing this week so be sure to stay tuned!

Here’s a peek at her menu…

Fried Wontons with Sweet & Sour Sauce

Pan Fried Gyoza Dumplings (aka Potstickers)

Boiled Soy Sauce Eggs

Chicken Hot & Sour Soup

Mongolian Beef

Baked Soy Sauce Chicken

Oven Baked Pork Ribs

Chicken Chow Mein

Stir-fry Spinach with Garlic

Crunch Tea Cookies

Banana Delight

Growing up in California we barbecued all the time. Rather than serving the traditional macaroni or potato salad,  Mom served Chicken Chow Mein as a side dish – A delicious and popular stir-fry noodle dish.

½ package thin spaghetti (8 oz.)
6 cups water and 1-teaspoon salt for boiling the spaghetti
½ pound boneless and skinless chicken breast (about half breast)
½ can sliced bamboo shoots (2.5 oz.) drained
6 shittake dried black mushrooms (soak in warm water for 10 minutes or longer until soft)
1 carrot
½ small yellow onion
1 tablespoon canola or vegetable oil (for cooking in a non-stick wok or a fry pan)
3 tablespoons soy sauce (Kikkoman brand)
2 teaspoons sesame oil
1 teaspoon sugar
½ teaspoon salt

Preparation:
Slice the half chicken breast lengthwise in half. Crosswise cut into ¼ inch thin pieces and then cut into strips. Drain the water from mushrooms, cut off the stems if any. Slice into ¼ inch thin strips. Peel and slice carrot diagonally into ¼ inch thin pieces and then cut  into strips. Slice the onion in-half lengthwise and then cut into ¼ inch thin strips.

To Cook:
In a medium-sized pot, bring 6 cups of water to a boil over high heat. Break the spaghetti in half and put into the boiling water. Add salt and stir well. Boil uncovered for approximately 6 minutes while stirring occasionally. Drain the cooked spaghetti through a colander. Heat oil in a non-stick wok or a large frying pan over medium-high heat. When the oil is hot, brown onions for a few seconds. Add chicken, cook and stir for 2 minutes until the chicken strips are almost cooked through. Add bamboo shoots, black mushrooms, carrots and mix together. Add soy sauce, sesame oil, sugar, salt and then immediately return the cooked spaghetti into the wok. Stir-fry for approximately 2 minutes until the noodles absorb all the seasoning. Serve hot.

Makes 4 to 6 servings
Preparation time: 20 minutes
Cooking time: 15 minutes

An easy way to make Chinese restaurant style ribs at home. This recipe is also ideal for your outdoor BBQ grill. Use the sauce as a marinade brushing generously as the ribs cook.

1 slab pork loin backribs (2-1/2 pounds)
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon black pepper

Sauce:
4 cloves garlic
3 tablespoons ketchup
2 tablespoons soy sauce (Kikkoman brand)
2 tablespoons rice wine or cooking sherry wine
1 tablespoon brown sugar
2 teaspoons pure sesame oil
1 teaspoon dried crushed red chili peppers

Preparation:
Wash and rinse the ribs with cold water. Pat dry with paper towels. In a small bowl, mix salt and pepper together. Rub the salt and pepper mixture evenly over the ribs. Crush, peel and finely chop the garlic. In a small bowl, mix sauce ingredients together thoroughly and set aside.

To Cook:
Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Line a large pan with tinfoil, place the ribs in pan and bake for 1 hour. Remove the ribs from oven and brush half the sauce over the ribs. Return ribs to the oven for 20 minutes. Again remove and brush the remaining sauce over ribs. Bake for 20 more minutes until tender. Cut into four even portions to serve.

Makes 2 to 4 servings
Preparation time: 15 minutes
Cooking time: 1 hour 40 minutes

In Cantonese style restaurants a whole chicken is boiled with soy sauce and spices. I have always thought that the chicken skin was too fatty. At home, baking the chicken in the oven makes for a crispy skin with the same great flavor.

1 whole chicken (approximately 4 pounds)
4 cloves garlic
2 scallions, including the green top
1 oz. fresh ginger root
Canola oil or Pam cooking spray

Sauce:
½ cup soy sauce (Kikkoman brand)
½ cup water
¼ cup rice wine or cooking sherry
1 tablespoon sugar
2 teaspoons sesame oil
2 teaspoons red hot chili oil

Preparation:
Trim excess fat from chicken. Rinse with cold running water and pat dry with paper towels. Crush, peel the garlic. Wash and trim the green onions, cut into 1 inch pieces. Peel and thinly slice the ginger root. In a small bowl mix soy sauce, water, wine, sugar, sesame oil, chili oil and set aside. Stuff the chicken cavity with the crushed garlic, onions and ginger root.

To Cook:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. For easy clean up, spray cooking spray onto a 9×12 baking dish. Place the stuffed chicken breast side down. Pour sauce mixture over chicken. Bake uncovered, breast side down for 40 minutes. Turn the chicken over, breast side up, and continue to bake for another 40 minutes until the chicken is in golden brown color. Using a large spoon or a brush, baste the chicken with the sauce from the pan a few times while baking. Remove chicken from the oven and let cool for 15 minutes before cutting the chicken into pieces. Remove any excess fat floating on the surface from sauce in pan. Pour the sauce over chicken pieces to serve. The sauce will enhance the flavor.

Makes 4 servings
Preparation time: 10 minutes
Cooking time: 1 hour 20 minutes

Mongolian Beef is a classic Northern Chinese style, spicy dish.

1 pound flank steak
1 medium size yellow onion (8 oz.)
1 tablespoon canola or vegetable oil (for cooking in a non-stick wok or a fry pan)
1 teaspoon dried crushed red chili peppers
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Marinade:
2 tablespoons soy sauce (Kikkoman brand)
2 tablespoons rice or cooking sherry wine
2 teaspoons cornstarch
1 teaspoon sugar
1 teaspoon finely grated fresh ginger root
1 teaspoon pure sesame oil

Preparation:,
Cut flank steak along the grain into 1-½ inch wide strips. Angle the knife away from you at a 45-degree angle against the grain and slice the beef into ¼ inch thick pieces. Peel and finely grate the ginger root. In a bowl, combine the beef with the marinade ingredients. Mix together thoroughly and set aside. Peel the onion and cut off ends. Cut the onion in half lengthwise and then into quarters. Crosswise cut the onion into ¼ inch thick pieces.

To Cook:
Heat oil in a non-stick wok or large frying pan over medium-high heat. When the oil is hot, brown the dried crushed red chili peppers for a few seconds. Add the marinated beef and stir-fry for approximately 2 minutes. Add onions, salt and black pepper. Cook and stir until the beef is cooked and the onions are tender for approximately 2 more minutes. Serve hot.

Makes 4 servings
Preparation time: 15 minutes
Cooking time: 5 minutes

Most restaurant style hot and sour soups use pork strips and beef stock (for that darker color). My mother created a lighter version using chicken breasts which also makes a great hot and sour soup. And…it happens to be one of my father’s favorites.

6 oz. boneless and skinless chicken breast
½ can sliced bamboo shoots (2.5 oz.) drained
½ package firm tofu (8 oz.)
1 scallion, including the green top
1 egg
1 tablespoon canola or vegetable oil (for cooking in a non-stick pot)
¼ cup cornstarch dissolved in ½ cup water
2 cans chicken broth (14 oz. each)
1 cup water
1/3 cup white vinegar
¼ cup soy sauce  (kikkoman brand)
1-½ teaspoons white pepper

Marinade:
1 tablespoon soy sauce
1 teaspoon cornstarch
1 teaspoon pure sesame oil
½ teaspoon sugar

Preparation:
Cut chicken breast into ¼ inch small cubes. In a small bowl, combine the chicken cubes with the marinade ingredients. Mix together thoroughly and set aside. Cut the sliced bamboo shoots into thin strips crosswise. Cut tofu into ½ inch cubes. Wash and trim the green onion, finely chop. In a small bowl, beat 1 egg lightly and set aside. In another small bowl, dissolve ¼ cup cornstarch with ½ cup of water together and set aside.

To Cook:
Heat oil in a medium sized pot over medium-high heat. When the oil is hot, brown onions for a few seconds. Add chicken cubes, cook and stir for 1 minute. Add bamboo shoots and tofu. Cook and stir for a few seconds. Add chicken broth, 1 cup water, white vinegar, soy sauce and white pepper. Cook and stir for 5 to 6 minutes until the soup comes to a full boil. Stir the dissolved cornstarch again and add into to soup. Stir until the soup becomes slightly thickened. Beat the egg again and slowly pour into the hot soup. Cook and stir for a few seconds longer. Serve hot.

Makes 6 servings
Preparation time: 20 minutes
Cooking time: 8 minutes

An American favorite Chinese appetizers! Makes an impressive hors d’oeuvre for parties.

1 package of wonton wrappers (12 oz. or 14 oz., You will find the wonton wrappers in the produce section of most supermarkets)
½ pound lean ground pork
½ cup water for sealing  the wontons
3 cups canola or vegetable oil for deep-frying

Marinade:
1 tablespoon soy sauce (Kikkoman brand)
1 tablespoon cornstarch
1 scallion, including the green top
1 teaspoon finely grated fresh ginger root
1 teaspoon pure sesame oil
½ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon sugar

Preparation:
Wash and trim the green onion, finely chop.  Peel and finely grate the ginger root.  In a bowl, combine the ground pork with the marinade ingredients. Mix them together thoroughly and set aside.

To Cook:
Heat a non-stick wok or a frying pan over medium-high heat. Add the marinaded ground pork to wok. Cook and stir for 2 to 3 minutes, until the pork is cooked through. Remove from heat and let cool to room temperature.

To Assemble:
In a small bowl, fill 1/2 cup water for assembling the wontons. Place a wonton wrapper on the palm of your hand. Place 1 full teaspoon of the cooked filling in center of the wrapper and moisten all sides of the wrapper around the filling with water. Lift the lower right corner and flip it over to the middle of the left side. Seal it. Turn the wonton over and use both hands to overlap the two end corners together. Moisten a corner and pinch the ends firmly together. The result: The wonton filling is in the center with 4 corners of the wrapper point outward. As each wonton is complete, place them on a plate, cover with a dry towel and set aside.

To Fry:
Heat 3 cups of oil in wok or deep fryer over medium-high heat. When the oil is hot, drop one wonton at a time into the hot oil and deep-fry 10 to 12 wontons at one time until light golden brown. It will take approximately 1 minute to fry each batch. (Be careful not to over cook the wontons as they will burn quickly). Drain oil from fried wontons on paper towels. Serve warm. Dip with Sweet and Sour Sauce.

Makes approximately 48 wontons
Preparation time: 30 to 40 minutes
Cooking time: 2 to 3 minutes
Deep-frying time: 5 to 6 minutes

This popular sauce is ideal for dipping egg rolls and fried wontons.

½ cup sugar
½ cup ketchup
½ cup white vinegar
½ cup water
1 tablespoon cornstarch dissolved in 2 tablespoons water

Preparation:
In a small bowl, dissolve 1 tablespoon of cornstarch in 2 tablespoons of water. Mix well.

To Cook:
In a small saucepan, mix sugar, ketchup, vinegar and water together. Cook and stir over medium heat and bring to a boil. Add the dissolved cornstarch immediately. Stir for a few seconds until the sauce thickens and becomes clear. Remove from heat. Serve the dipping sauce warm or at room temperature.

Makes 1-½ cups
Preparation and cooking time: 6 minutes