17+ Chinese New Years Recipe Get Cooking And Enjoy!
Published on: Mar 2, 2024
Chinese New Year is a time for families and friends to come together and celebrate with delicious food. As the most important holiday in Chinese culture, the celebration is not complete without a feast of traditional dishes. One of the most popular and essential dishes for Chinese New Year is the Nian Gao, also known as the Chinese New Year Cake. Made from glutinous rice flour and brown sugar, this sweet and sticky cake is believed to bring good luck and prosperity for the coming year. In this article, we will explore the history and significance of this traditional Chinese New Year recipe and provide a step-by-step guide on how to make it at home.
Are you getting tired of the same old New Year's Eve party food? Maybe it's time to change things up and try some new recipes with a twist. Instead of the traditional black-eyed peas and greens, why not try a delicious and flavorful Beer Can Chicken? Not only is it a fun and unique way to cook chicken, but it also incorporates the good luck tradition of black-eyed peas for the New Year.
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Walnut Shrimp - Chinese New Years
Main Ingredients: Large Shrimp, Egg Whites, Salt, Water, Granulated
If you're looking for a dish to celebrate the Chinese New Year, look no further than this delicious Walnut Shrimp recipe. The combination of crispy shrimp and crunchy walnuts is a perfect balance of textures, and the sweet and savory sauce will have your taste buds dancing. Plus, it's a dish that brings good fortune and prosperity for the coming year.
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New Years Breeze Cocktail
Main Ingredients: Champagne, Clementine, Fresh Rosemary, Frozen
What's a New Year's Eve party without some festive cocktails? This New Year's Breeze is a refreshing and light cocktail that's perfect for sipping on while counting down to the new year. Made with vodka, grapefruit juice, and a splash of cranberry, it's a simple yet delicious way to ring in the new year.
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Non-Alcoholic New Years Eve Punch
Main Ingredients: Ginger Ale, Orange Juice, Oranges, Maraschino Cherries
For those who want to celebrate without alcohol, this non-alcoholic New Year's Eve Punch is the perfect alternative. Made with fruit juices and soda, it's a refreshing and flavorful drink that everyone can enjoy. Plus, it's easy to make and can be customized with your favorite juices.
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Hoppin' John - New Years Day Black-Eyed Peas
Main Ingredients: Sliced Green Onions, White Rice, Tabasco Sauce, Salt
After a night of celebrating, start the new year off right with a hearty and comforting dish of Hoppin' John. This traditional Southern recipe combines black-eyed peas, rice, and bacon for a flavorful and satisfying meal. It's believed that eating black-eyed peas on New Year's Day brings good luck and prosperity, so why not give it a try?
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Black Eyed Peas for New Years
Main Ingredients: Black Eyed Peas, Oil, Pork Shoulder, Ham Hock, Butter
While Hoppin' John is a popular dish for New Year's Day, there are many other ways to incorporate black-eyed peas into your celebratory meals. From soups and salads to dips and spreads, there are endless possibilities for using this lucky legume in your New Year's recipes.
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New Years Black Eyed Peas and Greens
Main Ingredients: Oil, Yellow Onion, Garlic Cloves, Greens, Vegetable
Looking for a healthier twist on the classic Hoppin' John? This recipe for Black Eyed Peas and Greens combines the traditional black-eyed peas with nutritious greens for a dish that's both delicious and good for you. It's a perfect way to start the new year on a healthy note.
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New Years Eve Sparkling Gold Champagne Cocktails
Main Ingredients: Sugar, Goldschlager, Vodka, Champagne
What better way to toast to the new year than with a glass of bubbly? These Sparkling Gold Champagne Cocktails are not only beautiful and elegant, but they also have a touch of gold dust for some added sparkle. They're the perfect drink to raise in celebration of the new year.
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French 75 – An Elegant Champagne Cocktail for New...
Main Ingredients: Gin, Fresh Lemon Juice, Granulated Sugar, Ice Cubes
Another delicious and sophisticated champagne cocktail to try is the French 75. Made with gin, lemon juice, simple syrup, and of course, champagne, it's a tangy and refreshing drink that's perfect for toasting to the new year. It's a classic cocktail that will impress your guests.
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How Lucky Can You Get? Black Eyed Peas for New Years...
Main Ingredients: Black Eyed Peas, Bacon, Celery, Small Carrots, White
While black-eyed peas are a traditional New Year's food in the South, they are also considered a lucky food in many other cultures. From Asia to Africa to Europe, black-eyed peas are believed to bring good luck and prosperity in the new year. So why not incorporate them into your New Year's celebrations and see how lucky you can get?
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Vegan Crispy Tofu with Sweet & Sour Orange Sauce– New...
Main Ingredients: Extra Firm Tofu, Dijon Mustard, Panko Breadcrumbs
If you're looking for a vegan option to serve at your New Year's party, this Crispy Tofu with Sweet & Sour Orange Sauce is a must-try. The crispy tofu is coated in a tangy and sweet sauce that will have everyone coming back for seconds. Plus, it's a great way to incorporate some plant-based protein into your celebrations.
Orange chicken is a popular dish in Chinese cuisine, and it's a perfect addition to any Chinese New Year's celebration. This recipe for Chinese Orange Chicken is easy to make at home and has all the delicious flavors of the restaurant version. Serve it with some rice and veggies for a complete and tasty meal.
Another classic Chinese dish that's perfect for New Year's is Beef and Broccoli. This recipe uses tender strips of beef and crisp broccoli in a flavorful sauce that's sure to be a hit with your guests. It's a simple and delicious dish that will add some variety to your New Year's spread.
No Chinese meal is complete without some fried rice, and this recipe for Chinese Fried Rice is a must-try. It's a versatile dish that can be customized with your choice of protein and veggies, making it a great way to use up any leftovers. Plus, it's a delicious and filling addition to your New Year's feast.
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Chinese Chicken Thighs
Main Ingredients: Chicken Thighs, Olive Oil, Minced Ginger, Minced
If you're looking for a simple and flavorful chicken dish to serve at your Chinese New Year's party, these Chinese Chicken Thighs are a great option. Marinated in a combination of soy sauce, honey, and spices, they're full of flavor and easy to make. Serve them with some rice and veggies for a complete meal.
If you're hosting a large New Year's Eve party and want to serve a festive drink, this Champagne Punch is a perfect choice. Made with champagne, vodka, and fruit juices, it's a refreshing and fruity cocktail that's sure to be a hit with your guests. Plus, it can be made ahead of time, so you can enjoy the party without worrying about making individual drinks.
This Chinese Chicken and Broccoli recipe is a healthier take on the classic takeout dish. Made with lean chicken breast and nutrient-rich broccoli, it's a guilt-free option for those watching their diets. Plus, the homemade sauce is lower in sodium and doesn't contain any MSG, making it a healthier choice for the new year.
No Chinese meal is complete without some soup, and this Chinese Egg Drop Soup is a simple and tasty option. Made with just a few ingredients, it's a light and comforting dish that can be served as an appetizer or a side dish. It's a great addition to your Chinese New Year's spread.
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Crispy Vegetable Spring Rolls
Main Ingredients: Napa Cabbage, Mung Bean Sprouts, Large Carrot, Shiitake
If you want to add some crunch to your Chinese New Year's menu, these Crispy Vegetable Spring Rolls are a must-try. Filled with a colorful mix of veggies and wrapped in a crispy shell, they're a delicious and fun finger food. Serve them with some sweet and sour sauce for dipping.
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New Years Black Eyed Pea and Cabbage Soup
Main Ingredients: Black Eyed Peas, Rotel, Cabbage Head, Salt, Black Pepper
If you have some leftover black-eyed peas from your New Year's Eve festivities, why not use them to make this hearty and comforting soup? This recipe for Black Eyed Pea and Cabbage Soup combines the lucky legume with nutritious cabbage and other veggies for a healthy and delicious meal. It's a great way to start the new year on a positive and nourishing note.
The History of Nian Gao
The Legend of Nian
According to Chinese folklore, the tradition of making Nian Gao originates from the legend of Nian, a mythical beast that terrorized villages every New Year's Eve. The villagers soon discovered that the beast was afraid of loud noises, bright lights, and the color red. So, they would hang red decorations, set off firecrackers, and light lanterns to scare away the creature. Over time, the villagers also began making a sticky rice cake that they would offer to Nian as a peace offering. The beast would then eat the cake and leave the village unharmed. This practice eventually evolved into the tradition of making and eating Nian Gao during Chinese New Year.
The Symbolism of Nian Gao
Apart from its connection to the legend of Nian, the Nian Gao also holds symbolic meaning in Chinese culture. The word "gao" in Nian Gao sounds similar to the Chinese word for "higher" or "prosperity." Therefore, eating Nian Gao during the New Year is believed to bring good fortune and a higher social status. The sticky texture of the cake also symbolizes family unity and harmony, as it is made by pounding together glutinous rice flour and brown sugar.
How to Make Nian Gao
Ingredients
To make Nian Gao, you will need:
Glutinous rice flour
Brown sugar
Water
Oil
White sesame seeds (optional)
Instructions
In a large mixing bowl, combine 1 cup of glutinous rice flour with 1 cup of brown sugar.
Add 1 cup of water and mix until you have a smooth batter.
Grease a steaming dish with oil and pour in the batter.
Sprinkle white sesame seeds on top (optional).
Steam the cake for about an hour, or until it is fully cooked and has a sticky texture.
Let it cool before slicing and serving.
Variations
While the traditional Nian Gao recipe only uses glutinous rice flour and brown sugar, there are many variations of this dish with added ingredients such as red dates, nuts, and dried fruits. Some people also like to add food coloring to make the cake more festive and colorful. However, no matter the variation, the sweet and sticky Nian Gao remains a staple for Chinese New Year celebrations.
In conclusion, Nian Gao is not just a delicious Chinese New Year dessert but also a significant part of Chinese culture and tradition. By understanding the history and symbolism behind this dish, we can fully appreciate its significance and enjoy it with our loved ones during this joyous time of the year. So why not try making your own Nian Gao this Chinese New Year and bring good luck and prosperity to your home?
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