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

Menu Guide: Thai Food for Dinner

I invited friends to have dinner at home and I prepared Simple Thai Dishes for six persons. The soup (Tom Yung) was really spicy. I added too much Tom Yung paste so it's not a hit on that day, but the rest of the food were fine. My friends like them :) We had Papaya Salad, Lemon Scallops and Shrimps, Steamed Fillet Fish, Brown Rice, and Thai Style Coconut Cake.

Here they are to share:

Green Papaya Salad

Lemon Scallops and Shrimps in Coconut Cream

Thai Steam Organic Brown Rice

Thai Style Coconut Cup Cake

Menu Guide

Food Trip Friday

Food Friday
Potluck Friday
Fat Camp Friday

Menu Guide: Vietnamese Taste

After the Italian Food I brought in our potluck last week, another set food I brought in our Mandarin class. I prepared Vietnamese Finger Food (Snacks) since majority of my classmates are from Vietnam. As usual, I'm after the convenience and here they are:

Vietnamese Coconut Tarts

It was funny, one of my classmates from Vietnam never heard or taste of this tart. In fact, it's one of the 100 food must try in Vietnam. Anyways, she likes it and asked me to make again sometime.

Vegetarian Vermicelli in Vietnamese Wrapper

I especially prepared this vegetarian vermicelli for my classmate who's a Buddhist. I'm glad he likes it too. I'm not supposed to wrap, I just thought it would be more convenient. I don't need to bring plates and chopsticks when eating. That's why I included it here as finger food.

Vietnamese Spring Rolls

The famous spring rolls in Vietnam, of course there are different ways to prepare. I made this a little bit tasty (more spices), so I don't have to prepare sauce.

Menu Guide

Saturdays Party

Saturday Swap

Luscious Saturday
Yummy Sunday

Our Weekend Memoirs

Note; Sorry for the delayed post! I just arrived from Hongkong :)

Menu Guide: Taste of Italian

Taste of Italian

Here's a simple menu I made for my birthday treat for friends. I thought of bringing Italian Food since it's easy to prepare ahead of time, plus walking 5 - 8  minutes to church will be very convenient since there's nothing to worry if the food will spill or not. Anyways, here they are and just click the links for their recipes.



Peaches and Cream Cheese Cake

I prepared our Peaches and Cream Cheese Cake  the night before Sunday, the easiest no-bake dessert.

Toasted Tomato and Cheese Bruschetta

This is supposedly fresh, as I've said it's not convenient to bring so I decided to toast them so the cheese and tomato will be intact to the bread. The toasted bread I used was made of whole wheat flour from scratch in my Another Wheat Bread post.

Simple Tomato and Cheese Spaghetti

I made this for those who doesn't like creamy sauce.

Chicken and Broccoli Conchiglie in Cream Sauce
I made this for the very first time,
and I also added broccoli from original recipe.

Now I'm ready to bring the food in a convenient way.

cheese cake had gelatin, toasted bruschetta, baked spaghetti and conchiglie

Recipes for the Pasta will be posted soon...

Menu Guide

Foodtrip Friday

Food Friday

Potluck Friday

Saturday's Party - featured