Year of the Rabbit Lunar New Year Menu

The upcoming Lunar New Year is the year of the Rabbit, which falls on January 22, 2023.

In the process of planning our Chinese New Year’s Eve’s dinner, I wanted to make sure that I could serve festive, colorful and symbolic dishes to convey my wishes for an  auspicious and prosperous coming Year of the Rabbit. But I also wanted the celebration to be without too much stress. Therefore, many of the dishes on my menu can be completely, or partially prepared ahead of time, leaving just a few that have to be cooked just before dinner. In this case, deep-frying the fish, the spring rolls, and steaming the meatballs must be done just before serving.

Here is my menu:

1. Sweet and Sour Fish (the sauce can be made in advance).

   Yu (魚), the word for fish, is  a homonym for the Chinese word for surplus (餘), a sound that is commonly expressed in Spring Festival couplets.

2. Spring rolls (wrap in advance) contain the character for spring, and so symbolize a new beginning.

3. Braised black mushrooms (done in advance). The color black represents water.

4. Four-colored meatballs (white, yellow, green and red. The color white represents metal, green wood, yellow earth, red fire). A platter of mushrooms and meatballs not only represents the five elements of nature, but will also be festive as well as attractive.

5. Vegetarian chicken, or suji (素鸡), (prepared in advance)

6. Roasted pork (prepared in advance)

   I picked the “chicken” and roast pork, because they are delicious and can be made in advance, thus saving time and stress. This will allow me to focus on dishes that absolutely have to be done just before serving. 

7. Noodles (the topping can be made in advance), which symbolize longevity.

8. Side dishes of spinach, bean sprouts, and carrots (the dressing can be made in advance). These side dishes are light, healthy and colorful.

9. Eight Treasure Rice Pudding (done in advance) Ba, eight, rhymes with fa, the Chinese word for prosperity, and so the name of this dish is also symbolic. 

For the next 10 days, I’ll be cooking or preparing something different every day. And I’ll also go shopping for the needed ingredients.

Happy Lunar New Year, everyone!