East and Southeast Asians worldwide are preparing to observe the Lunar New Year, set for February 17 and spanning 15 days this year. Each year in the Chinese zodiac cycle corresponds to a specific element, and with the arrival of the Year of the Fire Horse, significant life transformations are suggested. This period symbolizes intense action, individual development, and a highly energetic lifestyle.
Given its occurrence every 60 years on the zodiac calendar, some individuals may not witness it again in their lifetime. To commemorate the Year of the Fire Horse, we connected with author Angela Hui, who shared her affection for the Lunar New Year and the cherished moments spent with loved ones, alongside a delightful recipe for you to try at home.
Before diving into the culinary experience, why not craft your own fire horse using the traditional Chinese art of paper folding, provided by Tesco? Simply print the provided sheet and follow the instructions in the accompanying video.
The Lunar New Year holds a special place in many hearts, often dubbed “Asian Christmas” for numerous families, marking the most significant holiday on the calendar. It is a time for family gatherings, paying respects to ancestors, and welcoming good fortune.
One of the most cherished aspects of returning home is the opportunity to cook with my talented chef mother. Despite the cliché, food serves as our primary means of communication. When we cook together, time seems to fade away. Engaging in casual chatter while crafting dumplings or silently chopping vegetables side by side creates a comforting kitchen harmony. The unspoken connection transcends words, with mere presence sufficing.
Furthermore, our meal planning for the celebration revolves around symbolic foods representing hopes for the upcoming year. Days ahead of the Lunar New Year, we enthusiastically exchange recipe ideas, photos, videos, and voice notes. “A whole steamed fish is essential,” Mom insists, citing the phrase “年年有余, leen leen yow yu.”
In Cantonese, the term for fish, “yu,” phonetically resembles words denoting surplus and abundance, entwined with aspirations for prosperity year after year. “What about dumplings?” I propose. Dumplings signify wealth, with the belief that the more consumed, the wealthier one becomes, as their shape mirrors ancient gold ingots, encouraging indulgence.
“Let’s attempt money bag dumplings with cabbage wrappers,” I suggest. We deliberate back and forth, brainstorming until our chat history brims with voice notes, eventually agreeing on eight dishes symbolizing prosperity, luck, and completeness.
Below, I’ve shared my steamed fish recipe to recreate at home. All necessary ingredients for this delectable dish can be conveniently sourced at Tesco.