East and Southeast Asians worldwide are preparing to observe the Lunar New Year, set to commence on February 17 and extend for 15 days. Each year in the Chinese zodiac corresponds with an element, and embracing the Year of the Fire Horse signifies a period conducive to significant life transformations. This zodiac year symbolizes high-stakes endeavors, personal development, and an accelerated pace of living.
Given that it occurs only once every 60 years on the zodiac calendar, many individuals may not encounter this unique period again in their lifetime.
In honor of the Year of the Fire Horse, insights were shared by author Angela Hui, highlighting the significance of Lunar New Year and reminiscing about cherished moments with loved ones, accompanied by a delightful recipe for home preparation.
Before embarking on culinary endeavors, 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 instructions demonstrated in the video above.
Lunar New Year, often likened to “Asian Christmas,” stands as a prominent festivity cherished by many families, signifying the most significant holiday in the calendar year. This period is dedicated to family reunions, paying homage to ancestors, and welcoming good fortune.
Personally, one of the most enjoyable aspects of returning home is the opportunity to cook alongside my culinary adept mother. Food serves as our shared language and a means of communication.
While cooking together, time seems to slip away as we engage in conversations akin to those between relatives, all while meticulously crafting dumplings or silently chopping vegetables side by side. The unspoken harmony in the kitchen provides a sense of solace; the mere presence of one another suffices, often rendering words unnecessary.
Moreover, cuisine plays a pivotal role in shaping our festive plans. In Chinese tradition, it is customary to serve symbolic dishes representing aspirations for the forthcoming year. Engrossed in planning the family Lunar New Year menu well in advance, we exchange recipe suggestions, photos, videos, and voice notes. “Whole steamed fish is a must,” my mother asserts: “年年有余, leen leen yow yu.”
In Cantonese, the term for fish, yu, bears semblance to words connoting surplus and abundance, symbolizing the desire for prosperity year after year.
Considering dumplings, which symbolize wealth, the more consumed, the greater the perceived affluence. Resembling ancient gold ingots, their shape encourages indulgence.
Suggesting the creation of money bag dumplings using cabbage wrappers, we engage in a back-and-forth exchange, refining our plans until our chat records are laden with voice notes. Eventually, we settle on eight dishes emblematic of prosperity, luck, and fulfillment.
Below, I have shared my steamed fish recipe for your culinary endeavors. All necessary ingredients to prepare this delectable dish can be procured from Tesco.