Tradition & Celebration: Chinese/Lunar New Year 2015
Irene Wong
Lion Dance symbolizes durability and wealth. (photo by IQ Remix)
The year of the Sheep begins night of the February 18th 2015; first day of Spring. As a little girl growing up with my paternal grandmother, the household is bustling a few weeks ahead shopping for new and bright outfits to wear for the New Year. My outfit will consists of red color for luck and good wealth. My parents will gather many treats, snacks and decorations for the Kitchen God from sweet red dates to cherry blossoms so that good reports will be sent to heaven the night before.
The streets are filled with the sound of firecrackers and greetings with lanterns lit in Chinatown part of Myanmar. Night markets are bustling making the best sales of the year before their only break of the year..
Then the New Year starts with the blessings and respecting of the elders of the family. Feast and festivities with giving out red envelopes (hon bao) will continue on with friends and close family members with abundance of my favorite dishes till the lantern festival, which takes place on the 15th day of Spring.
People born in the year of the Sheep are generally believed to be calm, gentle, mild-mannered, shy, stable. Most compatible with the Pig and the Dragon, but least compatible with the Rooster and the Tiger. Famous people born in a year of the Sheep include Michael Angelo, Mark Twain, Thomas Edison, Julia Roberts.
As annual tradition, our kitchen is preparing symbolic dishes to carry on the authenticity along with contemporary twist for the festivity. Chinese New Year dinner celebrations are incomplete without symbolic dishes from whole Steamed Fish to E-Fu Mein-Longevity Noodle.
Like the nature of the Sheep, I am continuously adapting and flourished in any environment. New ideas and creativity are being explored everyday with my kitchen team for the inspiring celebrations into your dining room.
On behalf of my team at Saffron59 and I wish you the best of New Year.
The Lantern Festival marks the end of the New Year season, new cycle is well under way.
Chinese Banquet Dinner I am featuring:
Eight Treasures Soup with Crabmeat, Scallop and Shrimp
Stuffed Pork Loin with Mustard Greens with Smothered Hoisin and Xiao Xing Wine
Roast Quails with bean thread and chestnut (served with pickles and a light vinegar sauce with bibb lettuce)
Seafood Melody with Szechuan Red Peppers and Roasted Garlic (in bird nest basket bedded with Diver Scallops, Large Shrimp, Squid and Choy Sum)
Wok seared Maine Lobster with Black Bean and Roasted Garlic Sauce with Fat Choy
Steamed Whole Striped Bass with Julienned Crispy Ginger
Fresh Longevity Noodles with Shiitake and slivers of Pork (traditional in a celebration as symbol for long life)
Double Happiness Fried Rice with Sweet English Peas and Chive Buds
Dessert: Red Bean Soup with Tapioca Pears with Coconut Milk