8 Chinese New Year Recipes Ideas for a Lucky Year!

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Chinese New Year 2016 is Monday February 8, 2016.  

It's a longstanding Chinese tradition to have a nice family gathering for dinner on CNY Eve, complete with lucky red envelopes and symbolic Lunar New Year foods.  

Below are my 8 recommendations for what you should consider adding to your menu.

(✿ For a video preview of these recipes, check out my video for 8 Chinese New Year Recipes for You.)

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1.  Chinese New Year Cake (sweet sticky rice) | 年糕  Niángāo

A very traditional sweet dessert made from sticky rice, the name of this cake literally means "higher year".  Steamed, then served as is, or lightly pan fried, this dish tastes like warm sweet mochi.

2.  Traditional Chinese Almond Cookies

Do you remember eating these?  The store bought versions are nothing like the taste of my recipe for these homemade ones.  So buttery and flavorful, you won't be able to eat just one!

3.  Sausage Fried Rice & Baby Bok Choy Stir Fry

These recipes are fairly easy to whip up when you're looking for a low-key CNY dinner.

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4.  Shrimp & Pork Potstickers

Potstickers or dumplings are considered lucky for wealth as they are shaped similar to gold sycees.  

5.  Whole Chicken:  Hainanese Chicken Rice or 5 Spice Roasted Soy Chicken

A whole chicken makes for an impressive table presentation and both these recipes are crowd pleasers.  

6.  Traditional Whole Steamed Fish

Symbolic for a good year from start to finish.  This fish recipe also makes for an impressive table presentation but is surprisingly simple and easy to cook.

7.  Turnip Cakes (dim sum style) | 蘿蔔糕  Luóbo gāo

If you like dim sum, you've probably had these turnip cakes before.  Make these a few days ahead and you'll be ready to finish them off by pan frying on CNY Eve.

8.  Hot Pot

One of my favorite family style dinners and also great for family gatherings like CNY.  Every other year we usually go to Grandma's for a CNY hotpot celebration.  It's such a crowd pleaser and especially fun for the younger ones. 

I hope you guys have a wonderful Lunar New Year and Happy Year of the Monkey!