New Year Sheep design by Freepik 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!)
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!)
 | Obviously, cooking an elaborate Chinese New Year meal is not always possible. Some of you may decide to celebrate by going out to a Chinese restaurant or maybe even a friend's house. If you want to prepare something special that's not too difficult, I would highly recommend Hot Pot. |
Invite some friends and family over and maybe even open a bottle of Japanese Sake. (I'm not an avid wine drinker, but I do love a nice bottle of Sake with my hot pot. I'll share more about my favorite sakes in another post, but if you need a recommendation now, here's my go-to favorite: Dassai 50. It's premium Japanese sake that's very smooth and has a fragrance like cherry blossoms.)
| Another thing you can do over the weekend (in advance), is make Chinese New Year Cakes. They also make really cute DIY edible CNY gifts if you wrap them up in some wax or parchment paper and finish them off with a red ribbon or wrapping. Finally, I would say don't stress about it. CNY should be about getting together with friends and family and celebrating good food and company. |  |
If it's made with love, it'll taste good. : )