Chinese New Year 2011 @ Home

I invited my friends to come over on the 2nd Day of Chinese New Year. What I prepared is with somewhat Japanese Taste with a twist to link what food should be eaten on Chinese New Year. Here are some of them and their meaning.

While waiting for others, as a traditional saying I have here different kind of nuts for longevity and having more children (lots of descendants) for the coming new year.

Hot pot is what we have in the center of the table, constant simmering symbolizes continuing financial success for the upcoming new year. Some greens, for lengetivity. Fish balls for family reunion, and also perfection since the shape is round.

Here's an appetizer, egg tofu in sweet sauce symbolizes happiness (fu). I love this!

 Mix of anchovy and peanuts, fish should be larger and it symbolizes plenty of food to go round; peanuts as blessings to give birth soon.

White radish for good omen and cake symbolizes for promotion.  

I just added this cake made of yam and glutinous rice. Mostly the sauce is sweet soy sauce.

Pan-Grilled Miso Chicken (should be a whole chicken), symbolizes a flourishing as a whole family and prosperity.

Sukiyaki Spaghetti (Noodles), symbolizes long life; to have a son to carry on the family name; prosperity.

For our desserts, we have fruits, green tea gelatin, and Chocolate Cheesecake. Tangerine symbolizes auspicious; fortune; luck, etc.

There are more food the Chinese New Year that have lots of meaning. I hope you enjoy what I share with here in my little banquet :)

Food Trip Friday

Food Friday

Fat Camp Friday

Luscious Saturday

Choco-Candy Cookies

As I've mentioned in my previous post, Chinese New Year means the beginning of Spring. To welcome the spring, colorful spring candies are available everywhere. Sometimes, I just need to be creative to come up with what available I have  like this choco-candy cookies. I only used the ready-mix brownies and place some choco-candies to make them colorful.

1 pack ready mix brownies, mix as directed in the package plus add 1/2 cup all purpose flour. Bake only for 20-30 minutes. Let it cool, make a ball and roll in powder sugar. Press in the middle and place choco-candy. Bake again for another 15 mintues. The coated sugar will be melted, to make the cookies a little bit hard and chewy.

I brought this to our get-together lunch earlier.

Happy Chinese New Year!

Food Trip Friday

Food Friday

Friday Potluck

Fat Camp Friday

Sweets for Saturday

Tuna and Brown Rice

Since it's difficult to eat cold tuna salad, I ended up sauteing it in olive oil with cherry tomatoes and romaine lettuce :), then place on top of brown rice... voila!

First food I shoot using DSLR, still practicing :)

Food Friday

Food Trip Friday

Peppered Roast Beef

This is just a store bought pre-cooked roast beef. We had potluck last Sunday and since it's too cold to move in the kitchen :), I just boiled it in a pineaaple juice.

Food Trip Friday

Food Friday