Chinese New Year
By Rhonda Parkinson, About.com Guide to Chinese Food
Chinese New Year is China's biggest traditional holiday, a 15 day celebration filled with fun, festivities, and food! Here is a handy resource with everything you need to celebrate the Chinese New Year season, from tips on getting ready, to symbolic recipes and menu suggestions.
Chinese Recipes for the New Year
Planning to host your own Chinese New Year party? There are a number of festive Chinese dishes that will help make any New Year's Eve celebration a success, whether you're throwing a large bash or simply enjoying a quiet dinner with a few close friends. Below are some recipe suggestions, from cocktails to dessert, plus a special menu for those of you planning a romantic evening for two. Enjoy yourself, and try to wear something red - the Chinese believe red is a lucky color and wards off evil spirits. You may also want to hang decorative red lanterns - available at Asian markets.
- Symbolic Chinese Recipes
- Chinese New Year Party Menu
- Top Chinese Appetizers for New Year (only authentic Chinese recipes)
- Top 10 Chinese Appetizers (includes Asian fusion fare)
- Main Dishes
- Top 10 Easy Chinese New Year Recipes
- Romantic Dinner For Two
- Delicious Desserts
- Asian Fondue - Hot Pot Cooking Tips and Recipes
- Nian Gao - Chinese New Year Cake (easy baked version with photo instructions)
- Steamed Chinese New Year Cake
- Turnip Cake
- Steamed Chinese Sponge Cake (photo instructions)
- How to Make Fortune Cookies
- Chocolate Fortune Cookies
- Sesame Cookies
Chinese New Year Food Symbolism
Food plays a major role in any Chinese New Year celebration, from crescent shaped dumplings to round Nian Gao sticky rice cake with a sweet brown candy filling. Learn more about the symbolic significance behind foods that are especially popular during the Chinese New Year season.
- From Fish to Fowl: Top Chinese Symbolic Foods
- Symbolic Chinese New Year Foods - a handy list
- Pictures of Chinese New Year Food
- Legend of the Chinese Kitchen God
All About Chinese New Year
What is the history behind Chinese New Year? Why does the date keep changing every year?
