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Chinese New Year (also known as Spring festival) is based on the Chinese lunar calendar, celebrating the beginning of a new year. It is the most important holiday celebrated in China and also some other Asian countries as well. Chinese New Year for the year 2021 is going to be celebrated on February 12. This year the animal sign is the Ox.
Chinese New Year, it is a festival that brings the family and friend together for feasting. Chinese new year’s eve is an occasion for families to gather and have a reunion dinner. Food is a very important piece, traditionally and also culturally. The dishes are made to give blessings for the next year. Many food have symbolic meanings. Some lucky foods to eat includes fish, meaning “may you have the prosperity in the new year”. Dumplings and spring rolls mean wealth and good fortune. Tangyuan (sweet rice balls) means family togetherness and united. Noodles mean the longevity and health.
Every region also have their own cultural foods and customs. For example, North regions of China, dumplings are featured as a sign of celebrating Chinese New Year. The whole family gets together making hand-wrapping dumplings. For southern regions of China, year cake and Tangyuan are the traditional food to have.
Pork and bok choy Filling:
Ingredients:
3 heads Shanghai bok choy (thinly sliced)
1 pound ground pork
2 Tbsp oyster sauce
2 Tbsp light soy sauce
1 teaspoon white pepper
3 Tbsp cooking wine
1 Tbsp sesame oil
1 egg
1 tbsp salt
1 teaspoon black pepper
1 teaspoon fresh ginger
Dumpling wrappers
Dipping Sauce:
2 tbsp soy sauce
2 tbsp vinegar
1 tbsp hot sauce (optional)
Directions:
1.Place the pork and all the sauces and condiments in a bowl and stir them until combined. Add thinly sliced bok choy into the bowl and combine them evenly.
2.Fill the dumpling wraps with prepared pork and bok choy filling.
3. To seal, lightly dab water around the edge of dumplings. Bring sides together and gently pinch along to seal.
Dipping Sauce:
4. Combine soy sauce and vinegar in a small bowl and stir to combine.
5.Boil water in a pot. Add as many dumplings as they can fit comfortably in a single layer in the pot. Cook them until they start to boil. Add cold water and let them cook for an additional two to three minutes. Repeat the process again: add cold water and wait until all the dumplings to float. Fish them out with a strainer, drain them, and serve.
6.Dip the dumplings in the dipping sauce as you eat.