East and Southeast Asians around the world are preparing to observe the Lunar New Year, set for February 17th this year and lasting for a span of 15 days. Each year in the Chinese zodiac is linked with an element within the cycle. Welcoming the Year of the Fire Horse signifies a period ripe for significant life transformations, characterized by high-energy endeavors, personal advancement, and a heightened pace of living.
This particular zodiac year of the Fire Horse only occurs once every 60 years in the zodiac calendar, making it a rare occurrence that some may not witness again in their lifetime.
In honor of the Year of the Fire Horse, we connected with author Angela Hui, who shared her affection for the Lunar New Year festivities, cherished memories created with loved ones, and a delightful recipe that you can replicate at home.
Before delving into the kitchen for culinary endeavors, why not craft your own fire horse using the Chinese art of paper folding, as demonstrated by Tesco? Simply access the printable sheet and follow the instructions provided in the accompanying video.
The Lunar New Year holds significant importance, often dubbed as “Asian Christmas” for numerous families, marking the most prominent holiday on the calendar. It’s a time for family gatherings, paying respects to ancestors, and welcoming good luck.
One of the most cherished aspects of returning home is the opportunity to cook alongside my chef mother. Despite the cliché, food serves as our shared language, facilitating communication between us. Cooking together fosters an environment where time seems to stand still. Engaged in activities like pleating dumplings or silently chopping vegetables side by side, we engage in auntie-like gossip. There’s a comforting rhythm in the unspoken connection within the kitchen; often, words become unnecessary.
Food plays a pivotal role in shaping our festive plans. In Chinese tradition, it’s customary to serve symbolic dishes that embody hopes for the forthcoming year. Engrossed in discussions about the family Lunar New Year menu well in advance, we exchange recipe suggestions, photos, videos, and voice messages. “A whole steamed fish is indispensable,” my mother insists, citing the phrase “年年有余, leen leen yow yu.”
In Cantonese, the term for fish, yu, bears resemblance to words signifying surplus and abundance, symbolizing the desire for prosperity year after year. “What about dumplings?” I propose. Dumplings epitomize wealth, with the belief that the more you consume, the greater your wealth will be. Their shape mirrors ancient gold ingots, encouraging generous servings.
“We could prepare money bag dumplings using cabbage wrappers,” I suggest. Engaged in a back-and-forth exchange, we strategize until our conversation history is brimming with voice notes. Eventually, we settle on eight dishes representing prosperity, luck, and fulfillment.
I’ve shared below my steamed fish recipe for you to try at home. All necessary ingredients for this delectable meal can be conveniently acquired at Tesco.