Chopstix New Year Page

Review by Debbie Mazo

The Lunar New Year is a time of great anticipation for those celebrating the most vibrant festival in the Chinese calendar. With festivities beginning up to 22 days prior to the New Year date and continuing for 15 days after, food is a prominent feature in the celebrations. If you're looking for that perfect New Year recipe and more, then wok over to Chopstix's New Year web page.

 
As part of Britain's premier Chinese cookery site, this web page will guide you effortlessly through the New Year season. First, find out everything you need to know about the Spring Festival by clicking Year of the Rabbit. Here, you'll discover that the origin of Chinese New Year can been traced back to around 2000 BC. You can also explore some of the unique traditions observed during this festive holiday. For example, if you have any debts, make sure that you settle up by the first day of the first moon, New Year's Day. To begin the New Year with outstanding debts is a bad omen for the future.

The high point of the season is usually New Year's Eve. On this night, family members share a meal together in the spirit of reunion and thanksgiving. Each dish served carries a name that symbolizes health, honor, or riches. For example, one special dish is called Broth of Prosperity, a chicken soup with gold and silver ingots (egg dumplings and pigeon eggs).

To help prepare your New Year's Eve meal, check out some of the selections in the Recipes section. Here, you'll find time-honored recipes with full descriptions of their significance in the traditional meal. To symbolize the coming of the year, try the Chun Juan or Spring Rolls filled with finely chopped meat and vegetables. Or, if you're feeling ambitious, try the Chinese New Year Eight-Jewel Rice Pudding in Grand Marnier Sauce which represents sweet and gluey relations that will not come apart. Serve each portion of the rice pudding with hot Grand Marnier sauce on top and decorate with candied fruit.

If you'd like to find out about local celebrations, check out Events for the festivities in your area. From London to Hong Kong, Chopstix's New Year web page has all the necessary ingredients to help you celebrate the Lunar New Year.

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