Recipes: Try This Lunar New Year Menu

Chinese dumplings

This easy Lunar New Year menu features recipes that highlight classic Chinese ingredients like garlic, sesame oil, and ginger. Photo: Jing/Pixabay

2022 is the Year of the Tiger. Lunar New Year, which starts on Feb. 1, is the most important traditional holiday in China. This easy New Year menu features three recipes that highlight classic ingredients like garlic, sesame oil, and ginger.

Health, wealth, longevity and good fortune to you and those you love – that is the true meaning behind the festivities and dishes enjoyed during the Chinese New Year. Also known as the Lunar New Year, the holiday features several symbolic recipes and ingredients making it the perfect reason to host (virtually, of course) a delicious gathering for family and friends.

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Stir Fry Chicken and Noodles On Kale

Noodles are one of the most important ingredients used during the holiday as their length represents a long and healthy life. A whole chicken is often served during dinners as a symbol of family togetherness and unity. We’ve taken the traditional chicken lettuce wrap as inspiration, but substituted in healthful kale and rotisserie chicken for speedy preparation (although we would never dream of omitting those noodles).

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Pork and Cabbage Pot Stickers

These little dumplings symbolize wealth and are made using wonton wrappers. You can boil them or pan fry (as we’ve done). The wrappers can be found in Asian markets or major grocery store chains, often located near the tofu or produce aisle. There are several ways to fold your dumplings–the easiest way is to simply fold in half. We’ve used a pinch pleat method for this batch.

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Garlicky Shrimp and Snow Peas

This dish brings together familiar flavours from Chinese cuisine, namely sesame oil, soya sauce and garlic. Prawns or shrimp are said to represent happiness and joy and make for a beautiful presentation against the crisp, green snow peas.