People of East and Southeast Asian descent around the world are preparing to observe the Lunar New Year, set to begin on 17 February and extend for 15 days.
Every year in the Chinese zodiac is linked to an element within the cycle – and in this Year of the Fire Horse, significant life transformations are said to be justified. This period is associated with high-stakes endeavors, personal development, and a heightened pace of life.
Given that it occurs only once every 60 years in the zodiac cycle, some individuals may not have the chance to witness it again in their lifetime.
In commemoration of the Year of the Fire Horse, insights were shared by author Angela Hui, expressing her affection for the Lunar New Year and the cherished moments spent with loved ones, as well as providing a delightful recipe for home preparation.
Prior to embarking on culinary endeavors, why not create your own fire horse through the Chinese traditional art of paper folding, as demonstrated by Tesco? Simply access the provided sheet and follow the instructions in the accompanying video.
For many families, the Lunar New Year – often referred to as “Asian Christmas” – stands as the most significant occasion on the calendar.
This period is earmarked for family gatherings, paying homage to ancestors, and inviting good luck into one’s life.
One of the highlights of returning home is the opportunity to cook alongside my mother, who is a skilled chef. Despite the cliché, our bond is forged through food, serving as our primary means of communication.
When we engage in culinary activities together, time seems to fade away. Engrossed in preparing dumplings or silently chopping vegetables side by side, we exchange gossip akin to family elders. There’s a comforting rhythm in the unspoken connection within the kitchen – often, mere presence suffices, and words become unnecessary.
Food plays a pivotal role in shaping our festivities. In Chinese tradition, it is customary to include symbolic dishes that embody aspirations for the upcoming year.
We eagerly delve into planning our Lunar New Year menu days in advance, exchanging recipe concepts, photos, videos, and voice messages. “A whole steamed fish is essential,” my mother insists, citing the phrase “年年有余, leen leen yow yu.”
In Cantonese, the term for fish, yu, phonetically aligns with words signifying surplus and abundance, symbolizing the desire for prosperity year after year.
“What about dumplings?” I propose. Dumplings are emblematic of wealth, with the belief that consuming more leads to increased riches. Their shape mirrors ancient gold ingots, encouraging a generous serving.
“We could craft money bag dumplings using cabbage wrappers,” I suggest.
Our discussions continue until our chat history overflows with voice notes, eventually concluding with a selection of eight dishes symbolizing prosperity, fortune, and completeness.
For those interested in preparing a steamed fish meal, I have shared the recipe below for your convenience. All required ingredients can be sourced from Tesco.
Ingredients
1 seabass, whole or filleted,