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.)

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

If you're in charge of cooking this holiday season and want to spend more time with family and friends, consider my entree of choice for large gatherings: 

                            • Breakfast Sausage Fried Rice •

It's easy to make in big batches and if you have rice at home, you will most likely have the other ingredients on hand.  It's perfect for those last minute family visits and potlucks.

Chinese New Year (CNY) 2015 will be on February 19th.  It's the year of the Sheep (or Goat) but I like saying Sheep better + plus the little guy looks like a cute sheep, don't you think?

I get a lot of questions about what recipes I plan on making for CNY or what menu items should be served.  I think it really depends on your family and what your traditions are.  Most people will celebrate Chinese New Year with a family dinner on the eve before CNY day, (so this year it will be February 18th).  

Growing up, my Grandma would always make us Taiwanese Style Hot Pot which was fun and delicious for everyone.  Hot Pot for us was a meal that was traditionally served for Asian holidays and special occasions.  She would also cook Turnip Cakes (those yummy squares often served in Dim Sum restaurants) and Chinese New Year Cakes (sticky rice cakes).  If you haven't had the Chinese New Year Cakes before, they taste like a warm gooey mochi.  (Yum!)