Tony Zentgraf
Chinese Recipes to Bring You Luck in the New Lunar Year!
What’s in this Article?
- Wealth, Prosperity & Longevity
- Traditional Festive Dishes for Good Luck
- Dumplings to bring Wealth
- Longevity Noodles to bring Happiness and Longevity
- Whole Chicken to bring Wholeness and Unity
- Pork to bring Strength, Wealth and Blessings
Chinese New Year or Lunar New Year as it is also known, is celebrated in Chinese speaking countries and ones that have been under Chinese rule in the past.
Although this may be traditionally the case, the tradition of celebrating the Lunar New Year extends past these countries. As people have migrated around the world, many countries, especially in Southeast Asia recognize the Lunar Calendar and celebrate the New Year.
Wealth, Prosperity & Longevity
Within the Chinese culture there are many foods that represent positive connotations in relationship to good luck in the New Year.
In many cases, the Chinese words for foods may sound similar to their positive luck counterpart. While in other cases, the shape, color or ingredient may resemble or represent items such as a coin, gold bar or a long life.
There are many festive dishes to celebrate the New Year, for example below are a few to bring you good luck and prosperity.
Traditional Festive Dishes for Good Luck
- Dumplings – symbolizes Wealth. Traditionally the shape is similar to a gold ingot.
- Spring Rolls – resembling gold bars, they once again symbolize Wealth
- Whole Chicken or Duck – symbolizes Wholeness and Unity
- Steamed Fish (usually whole) – symbolizes an increase in Prosperity
- Longevity Noodles – symbolizes Happiness and Longevity
- Pork Belly or other preparations of Pork – symbolizes Strength, Wealth and Abundant Blessings
Give Some of Culinary Seasons Chinese Recipes a Try!
Dumplings to Bring Wealth
Traditionally dumplings are served steamed for the New Year celebration but pan frying them is always an option. By pan frying them you attain a different texture and flavor. Take a look at these delicious recipes for dumplings, potstickers and wontons, in addition to Dipping Sauces!
Wontons fall into this category as well, although they do not resemble the shape of a gold ingot as the dumplings do, they can be associated with wealth as well.
Longevity Noodles to bring Happiness and Longevity
Traditionally wheat noodles are used for longevity noodle dishes. These long life noodles have a chewy, spongy texture and are about twice as thick when cooked as an egg noodle. They are long, in fact they are typically about 2 feet long as well.
Egg noodles are also seen in recipes for longevity noodle dishes. They may not be as thick or as long as long life noodles but the tradition of eating the noodle whole without breaking or cutting is believed to give you a longer life.
Give this Dan Dan Noodle recipe a try to give yourself a longer life.
Whole Chicken to bring Wholeness and Unity
Traditionally Chicken or Duck are left whole with the head and feet for celebration meals. The Five Spice Cantonese Chicken could be done with the head and feet but where I live, they are not readily available. The flavors and the process of making this recipe is in line with a traditional technique. Give this recipe a try, as a result the aromatics, hoisin, star anise, ginger, scallion and the five spice powder infuse the meat as it marinates and cooks.
Pork to bring Strength, Wealth and Blessings
Depending on the country, pork belly is the preferred cut in recipes. Yet in some you will find other cuts, a popular one is ribs. This Chinese BBQ Spare Rib recipe is one that you will want to make throughout the year. Marinating the ribs in the bbq sauce allows some of the ingredients to work as a tenderizer. Additionally, marinating imparts the flavors into the ribs. In addition, don’t forget to glaze the ribs with the reduced marinade and enjoy with a side of flavorful sauce.
