East and Southeast Asian communities worldwide are preparing to observe the Lunar New Year, set to begin on February 17 and span over a period of 15 days. Each year in the Chinese zodiac is associated with an element, and as we enter the Year of the Fire Horse, it signifies a time for significant life transformations. This period is linked with high-energy activities, personal development, and a heightened pace of living.
Given that this zodiac cycle only occurs once every 60 years, for some individuals, this might be a once-in-a-lifetime experience. To celebrate the Year of the Fire Horse, we had a conversation with Angela Hui, an author who expressed her fondness for the Lunar New Year and shared cherished moments spent with loved ones, along with a delightful recipe for you to try at home.
Before you dive into the kitchen for some cooking, why not attempt to craft your own fire horse using the traditional Chinese paper-folding technique, courtesy of Tesco? Simply print out 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 “Asian Christmas” by numerous families, being the most significant festivity in the calendar. It is a time for family gatherings, paying respects to ancestors, and inviting good luck into our lives.
Personally, one of the highlights of returning home is cooking alongside my chef mother. Despite the cliché, food serves as our language of love, fostering a unique bond between us. While preparing meals together, time seems to slip away as we engage in lively conversations or work silently side by side, folding dumplings or chopping vegetables. There is a comforting rhythm in the shared kitchen space, where words sometimes become unnecessary.
Food not only plays a pivotal role in our family celebrations but also shapes the way we plan our Lunar New Year festivities. In Chinese tradition, serving symbolic dishes symbolizes our aspirations for the upcoming year. In the days leading up to the event, my mother and I eagerly exchange recipe ideas, photos, videos, and voice messages. “A whole steamed fish is essential,” my mom insists, citing the phrase “年年有余 (leen leen yow yu),” symbolizing a wish for abundance and prosperity.
Engrossed in our planning, we deliberate over various dishes until we settle on a menu comprising eight items, each representing prosperity, good fortune, and wholeness. I have shared my steamed fish recipe below so that you too can prepare this delightful dish in the comfort of your kitchen, with all the necessary ingredients available at Tesco.
**Ingredients:**
– 1 seabass, whole or filleted
– 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:**
1. Rinse the fish thoroughly, removing any scales.
2. Pat dry the fish and place it on a heatproof plate for steaming.
3. Steam the fish with sugar sprinkled evenly for enhanced flavor.
4. While steaming, prepare ginger, spring onion, and coriander for topping.
5. Check the fish’s doneness by ensuring the meat is opaque yet slightly translucent near the bone.
6. Drain excess liquid and garnish the fish with ginger, spring onion, and coriander.
7. Drizzle soy sauce and sesame oil over the fish.
8. Heat vegetable oil until hot, then pour it over the fish.
9. Serve with rice and greens like pak choi or choi sum.
Despite the whirlwind of change, new opportunities, and a faster pace of life that the year may bring, the Lunar New Year serves as a gentle reminder to slow down, cherish moments with family, bid farewell to the old year, welcome prosperity in the new year, and perhaps, make room for that extra stomach.