East and Southeast Asians worldwide are preparing to observe the Lunar New Year, scheduled for February 17 this year and spanning 15 days. Each Chinese zodiac year aligns with an element in the cycle. Welcoming the Year of the Fire Horse signifies a period conducive to significant life transformations, marked by high-stakes actions, personal development, and an accelerated lifestyle.
This particular zodiac year occurs only once every 60 years, making it a unique experience that may not be witnessed again in one’s lifetime. In celebration of the Year of the Fire Horse, author Angela Hui shared her fondness for Lunar New Year traditions, emphasizing the cherished moments spent with loved ones and offering a delightful recipe for home preparation.
Before delving into the kitchen for culinary adventures, why not craft your own fire horse through the art of Chinese paper folding, courtesy of Tesco? Simply access the provided sheet and follow the instructions in the accompanying video.
The Lunar New Year holds a special place as a significant occasion, often dubbed “Asian Christmas” for many families, representing the most important holiday in the calendar year. It serves as a time for family reunions, paying respects to ancestors, and inviting good luck into one’s life.
One of the highlights of this festive season is engaging in culinary traditions with family members. Cooking alongside my talented chef mother is a cherished experience, where food serves as our primary form of communication. The act of preparing meals together creates a comforting and unspoken connection, fostering an environment where words are sometimes unnecessary.
Food plays a pivotal role in shaping the Lunar New Year celebrations. Chinese culture dictates the serving of symbolic dishes that embody hopes and aspirations for the upcoming year. The planning of the family Lunar New Year menu becomes a source of excitement, with days spent exchanging recipe ideas, photos, videos, and voice notes. Traditional dishes like whole steamed fish, symbolizing prosperity with the phrase “年年有余, leen leen yow yu,” and dumplings representing wealth through their resemblance to ancient gold ingots, take center stage in the festive spread.
Engrossed in discussions on culinary creations, my mother and I meticulously curate a menu comprising eight dishes symbolizing prosperity, luck, and wholeness. To share the joy of cooking during this auspicious time, I have included a recipe for steamed fish that can be easily replicated at home and all required ingredients available at Tesco.
**Serve with:**
– [White jasmine rice](https://www.tesco.com/groceries/en-GB/products/254332039?_gl=1*1ibbhhf*_up*MQ..*_gs*MQ..*_ga*MTkzNjIxMjUwMi4xNzcwMzk2NjY0*_ga_33B19D36CY*czE3NzAzOTY2NjQkbzEkZzEkdDE3NzAzOTcxMTEkajQ5JGwwJGgxNTIxNDcxNTQz&gclid=CjwKCAiAv5bMBhAIEiwAqP9GuCRZ9hEvgGDDZF8cz1Bmq-nK633Z4pLRFOBeWLPK2fKbfL3eTLnosBoCKtoQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds&gbraid=0AAAAADiyNatMKYGAc7OQUNwSIVbXO6bC9)
– [Pak choi](https://www.tesco.com/groceries/en-GB/products/252895723?_gl=1*1grpbyv*_up*MQ..*_gs*MQ..*_ga*MTE3NTY0MDkwMy4xNzcwMzk3MjYw*_ga_33B19D36CY*czE3NzAzOTcyNTkkbzEkZzEkdDE3NzAzOTcyOTQkajI1JGwwJGg1NDUyNTY5Mg..&gclid=CjwKCAiAv5bMBhAIEiwAqP9GuAeQBFVlm8z_kbmuKhtku7aT24Vq-DcRIl2TNKIDUyRGczxW6GpPvRoCRpwQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds&gbraid=0AAAAADiyNatMKYGAc7OQUNwSIVbXO6bC9) or [Choi sum](https://www.tesco.com/groceries/en-GB/products/267908975?_gl=1*1o8h0xm*_up*MQ..*_gs*MQ..*_ga*MTE3NTY0MDkwMy4x