PARENT/CHILD CLASS AT LET’S GET COOKIN’: Chinese New Year – ‘The Year of the Dragon’
Sylvia Rieman - Year of the Dragon Shirt
Saturday, January 14th was the day that my Parent/Child Class was held at Let’s Get Cookin’ in Westlake Village, CA. Chinese New Year 2012 falls on January 23rd. Our class was before that date so that the Parent/Child Teams could prepare what they learned in class at home for their families on or about Chinese New Year’s. We had 9 Parent/Child Teams for a total of 19 people. There were several grandmothers there with their grandchildren and one older teenager with his younger sister. The teenager was taking his father’s place as his father had a cold and did not want to give it to anyone else.
We had about an equal number of boys and girls but except for the teen, all the parents were women. Usually we have at least a couple of fathers with their children.
The menu for the day was: Shrimp & Vegetable Egg Rolls, Shanghai Beef and Noodles, Stir Fried Vegetables with Chinese Long Beans, Chicken Fried Rice and Cashew Cookies and Mango Pudding.
We started out with introductions, review of upcoming classes and explanation of the recipes we were using. I showed the unique ingredients that were using including the Chinese Long Beans which can sometimes be difficult to find. The best place to find them is at a large Asian Market.
After everyone donned their aprons and washed their hands we set out the ingredients and guided the students through the recipes. Since the Pudding had to set and the cookies had to bake, we started out with these two items. Two teams worked together to make the Mango Pudding and two other teams worked together to make the Cashew Nut Cookies.
Mixing the Cookie dough
Cashew Nut Cookies are similar to Chinese Almond Cookies with the main difference being the nuts used. Traditional Chinese Cookies are made with lard but we used butter. There is a difference in the taste between the two. This difference is somewhat difficult to explain, but if you had tasted each one you would see the difference.
Mango Custard
Cashew Nut Cookies
Another team started the Beef and Shanghai noodles. The beef was combined with the ingredients for the marinade and then set aside for cooking.
Next came the Stir-Fried Vegetables and several teams worked on those since there were quite a number of vegetables which all needed to be washed, dried and then cut into various shapes before being cooked. The Brother-Sister Team started on the Chicken Fried Rice.
Making Stir-Fried Vegetables
Chicken Fried Rice
When cooking Chinese food, most of the intensive preparation is in the cutting of the food and the combining of the ingredients for the sauces. After each group had finished their Mise en Place they took a break and wandered around the store looking at or purchasing merchandise. Once everyone had finished their Mise en Place, we set the tables and proceeded to the cooking process.
Filled Egg Rolls waiting to be Fried
The Egg Rolls were fried and then served with a Plum Dipping Sauce. After the Egg Rolls were served the main course was served. Everyone enjoyed their Shanghai Beef and Noodles, Chicken Fried Rice and Stir-Fried Vegetables. The vegetables were beautiful as we had many different kinds of vegetables with a variety of colors.
Cooking the Shanghai Beef with help from Tina
After the Main Course, Dessert in the form of the Mango Pudding and the Cashew Nut Cookies were served. Hot Tea and Ice Water were offered as beverages.
Everyone had a good time, learned some new culinary techniques and took home a packet of recipes so that they could prepare the dishes at home. Many of the Parent/Child Teams signed up for next month’s class which will be decorated Valentine Cakes, Cupcakes and Heart-shaped Chocolate Pops.
January Holidays – Celebrated with Food: Chinese New Year – ‘The Year of the Dragon’
Year of The Dragon
The Lunar New Year or ‘Chinese New Year’ as it is known in many cultures, usually occurs in January and/or February. This year, 2012, Chinese New Year’ falls in January and is ‘The Year of the Dragon’. The date on Western Calendars is January 23rd. The Dragon is the Chinese Zodiac symbol for the years 1904 – 1916 – 1928 – 1940 – 1952 – 1964 – 1976 – 1988 – 2000 – 2012, so if you were born in any of these years, the Dragon would be your zodiac symbol.
This is a wonderful holiday to enrich your children’s lives with by exposing them to some of the events that may be taking place in your area and by making the preparation of some Chinese Food a Family Event. Chinese New Year is one of those Holidays where food is important and there are many things that are symbolically served during this celebration.
The Chinese New Year is celebrated with parades, dancing and food. Families get together and enjoy the time with each other. If you live near a China Town, visit it when the New Year parade is scheduled. There will be colorful clothing and floats which will most likely include a Dragon Float. One of the colors that is used during these celebrations is red, so that you will see many of the participants clothed in red.
Tea Eggs, Bean Cakes, Fish Salad, and whole Chicken to name a few.
Eggs for good reason are a symbol of fertility in most cultures around the world and therefore the Tea Eggs represent fertility and life.
Cracked Hard-cooked Eggs are soaked in a Tea Leave/Soy Sauce Mixture until they absorb the pigment from both. These Eggs will pick up the flavor of the Anise and the Cinnamon, making for an interesting dish. They make really good Egg Salad Sandwiches.
Yu Sheng, the Chinese Fish Salad is important because the raw ingredients symbolize the renewal of life and what is the New Year all about if not that? Yu Sheng is often made with fresh melon, sesame seeds and raw fish which is dressed with Lime Juice, Olive Oil and White Pepper.
The whole Chicken represents the bond of family and is usually prepared by simmering with vegetables. Chicken in a pot would be representative of this dish.
Bean Cakes are favored for their sweetness which symbolizes a rich, sweet life. while the round shape signifies family reunion.
In addition, Noise Poppers and other related items are employed during the celebrations.
To make Tea Eggs follow the directions below:
6 eggs
Cold Water
1 teaspoon Salt
2 Tbsps. Soy Sauce
1/2 cup brewed Black Tea
2 Star Anise, broken up
1 Cinnamon Stick
DIRECTIONS:
- Place the Eggs in a saucepan and cover with Cold Water; there should be at least 1/2-inch of water above the eggs.
- Cover and bring to a rolling boil. Remove the saucepan from the heat and let the Eggs stand in the hot water for 15 – 20 minutes covered with a lid. Remove the Eggs and run them under cold running water to cool. (Reserve the water in the pan).
- Tap the hard-boiled eggs gently with the back of a spoon, to make a series of cracks all over the Eggshells, while making sure the shell remains intact.
- Bring the water in the pan back to a boil; add the Salt, Soy Sauce, brewed Black Tea, Star Anise pieces, and the Cinnamon Stick.
- Add the eggs. Simmer, stirring occasionally, for 2 hours. Turn off the heat and let the eggs sit in the hot liquid until ready to serve.
You can make up your recipe for the Fish Salad and if raw fish doesn’t sit well with you, you can always substitute smoked or canned fish. Shredded Napa Cabbage would be a good balance for the sweetness of the fruit in the dish.
To make a whole chicken, pull out a pot large enough to hold the Chicken along with Vegetables, Cilantro (coriander or Chinese Parsley) a Bay Leaf or two and other herbs of your choice and enough water to cover all the ingredients. Bring to a boil, reduce the heat and then simmer until the Chicken is tender. (At least 1 ½ hours or longer) Taste for seasoning and add Salt and Pepper or Soy Sauce, if desired. Cut the Chicken up into serving portions and serve in individual bowls along with the Vegetables and Rice on the side.
Bean Cakes can be purchased at an Asian Market or Bakery.
For additional recipes please see the Appetizer Section under recipes on this blog.
Happy and Healthy Chinese New Year everyone!
Categories: Cooking for Everyone, Holiday Ideas, Holiday Meals, Main Tags: Eggs, family dinner, Fish, holiday recipes, Whole Chicken, Year of the Dragon
