Chinese New Year – Year of the Dragon!

This week saw the start of the Chinese New Year 4710. Each year in a 12 year cycle is assigned to a different animal. This year is the year of the Dragon.  According to legend a person takes on the traits of the year in which s/he was born. I was born in the Year of the Ox – and I can be extremely bull-headed, so there may be some truth to this legend. People born in the year of the Dragon are said to be innovative, brave and full of passion!

At Chinese New Year celebrations people wear red clothes, decorate with poems on red paper, and give children “lucky money” in red envelopes. Red symbolizes fire, which according to legend, can drive away bad luck. The fireworks that shower the festivities are rooted in a similar ancient custom. Long ago, people in China lit bamboo stalks, believing that the crackling flames would frighten evil spirits.

Here are some suggestions for a meal to celebrate the Chinese New Year.

Start off with some delicious appetizers:

Avocado Egg Rolls with Spicy Dipping Sauce
Five Spice Turkey Egg Rolls
Fast and Easy Egg Rolls
Dim Sum Baskets

Some Main Course Suggestions:

Scroll to continue

Stir Fried Chicken and Rice with Vegetables
Beef and Vegetable Fried Rice
Vegetable Lo Mein
Mushroom Fried Rice

Dessert:

Fortune Cookies
Almond Cookies

Click for more Chinese Recipes.