Most western countries celebrate it on only one day of the month, and this year it falls on the same day as Valentine's Day. If you're not part of a couple or just want to celebrate something different with family and friends, Chinese New Year is a perfect celebration. Break out the lanterns and dragons and launch into the Year of the Tiger with 20 of our greatest Chinese recipes.

Appetizers
Start your feast off with delicious Chinese appetizers, most of which are already familiar to most people.

Stir-Fried Orange-Flavored Ground Pork in Lettuce
Spare Ribs Chinese
Oriental Beef Strips
Chinese Hot and Spicy Asparagus Salad
Chinois Potstickers with Ground Pork and Dried Fruit

Main Course
Fish brings luck and is the preferred main course for a New Year's celebration, but have some fun and serve a variety of main courses to suit your tastes.

Stir-Fried Sea Bass of Abundance
Peking Duck
Kung Pao Chicken
Hot and Sour Shrimp Lo Mein
Egg Foo Yung

Side Dishes
Rice and noodles are the expected ingredients in Chinese side dishes, so why not make yours with fun and delicious ingredients.

Chicken Fried Rice
Asian Coconut Rice
Cold Sesame Noodles
Fried Rice
Mandarin Noodles with Sautéed Tenderloin and Vegetables

Dessert Dishes
No meal would be complete without a great dessert so go ahead and make something different with traditional Chinese recipes.

Chinese New Year Sweet Rice
Chinese Steamed Cake
Chocolate-Dipped Fortune Cookies
Chinese Coconut Pudding
Apricot Sweet & Sour Cookies

Future Chinese New Year Dates

February 3, 2011 -  Year Of The Rabbit
January 23, 2012  - Year Of The Dragon
February 10, 2013 - Year OF The Snake

Presentation Ideas

1. Set a "Tiger" themed table from tablecloth to plates.
2. Red is considered a lucky color so go all out and decorate in red.
3. Dragons and pagodas make great party favors, take-home boxes and centerpieces.