Marked by the lunar calendar, the Chinese New Year is actually celebrated globally by various communities of not just Chinese but many other Asian ethnicities as well. This holiday, also called Spring Festival lasts 15 days with a different tradition for each day. In 2009, the festival runs from January 26th to February 9th.

I've put together a menu of tasty and traditional dishes to serve on Chinese New Year's Eve (Sunday night, January 25th) or for any Chinese New Year gathering you plan to have.

Happy Chinese New Year!

Hillary

Your RSVP Editor

Appetizers

Begin with a classic Chinese soup or some delectably spicy chicken wings!

Hot and Sour Prawn Soup with Lemongrass

Baked Hoisin Sauce Chicken Wings

Won Tons

Cha Shui (Chinese Pork Appetizer)

Egg Drop Soup with Veggies

Main Courses An elegant shrimp dish or a classically flavored sweet and sour pork will keep your guests happy at their Chinese New Year celebration!

Crockpot Sweet and Sour Pork

Hor Me Dor Shrimp

Crockpot Chinese Beef and Pea Pods

Chinese Spare Ribs

Chinese New Year's Chicken

Side Dishes

Chinese New Year Sweet Rice

Chinese Noodle Salad

Fried Rice

Plum Sauce

Chinese Hot and Spicy Asparagus Salad

Desserts

Many traditional Chinese New Year desserts include puddings, spiced nuts, fortune cookies and the like.

Chinese Steamed Cake

Chocolate Dipped Fortune Cookies

Chinese Coconut Pudding

Sugared Peanuts

Pomegranate Blueberry and Peach Sorbet

Beverages

Serve a drink that's orange or red to symbolize wealth or happiness.

Orange Ratafia

Zingy Red Punch

Ginger Orange Creme Fraiche

Tomato Juice Cocktail

Orange Julius

Presentation Pointers: 1. No Chinese New Year celebration would be complete without red lanterns somehow incorporated into your decorations. Buy some paper red lanterns at your local party store or some paper goods with Chinese New Year or red lantern designs.

2. Create a "tray of togetherness", a tradition at every Chinese New Year. Use an existing tray and form eight sections. Fill the compartments with the following 8 symbolic ingredients: candied melon (symbolizing good health), red melon seed (joy), lychee nut (strong family), kumquats (prosperity), coconut (unity), peanuts (longevity), longan (many good sons), lotus seeds (fertility) (list courtesy of Evite.com).

3. Have your guests decorate their own red envelopes (for money) with Chinese symbols. Supply the envelopes and gold paint pens for a fun and traditional activity!

Past Chinese New Year Menus: Chinese New Year 2008 Chinese New Year 2007

 

Future Chinese New Years:

2010 - February 14 - Year of the Tiger

2011 - February 3 - Year of the Rabbit

2012 - January 23 - Year of the Dragon

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