STEAMED SEA BASS

Fish plays a big role in Chinese celebrations. When served whole, including the head and the tail, it beckons a good beginning and end to the year. The Chinese word for fish "Yu" sounds like the words for wish and abundance. Eating fish on Chinese new year symbolizes prosperity for the whole year. 

FRIED PORK AND CRAB SPRING ROLLS

Meat and seafood combinations are not unusual in Chinese cuisine. It actually is one of the favourite taste combinations and is commonly seen in stir fries, dim sums and also in fried dishes such as this. Spring rolls are usually a crispy fried pastry wrapped around a vegetable filling. These spring rolls has minced pork and crab meat filling with five spice for seasoning. 


Spring rolls are signs of good luck in the new year as its shape is deemed similar to gold bars. Whether it is true or not, now is as good a time as any to eat spring rolls.

Ingredients:

1 small onion, chopped finely
1 c. minced pork
1 c. cooked crab meat
1 carrot, chopped finely
3 pcs. dried Chinese mushrooms, soaked then chopped
1 bunch of spring onions, chopped finely
1 clove, garlic, minced
2 tbsps. light soy sauce
2 tbsps. dry sherry or Chinese wine
1 tsp. 5 spice powder
1 tsp. sesame oil
1 tbsp. brown sugar
2 tbsps. corn flour
1 egg white
19"x19" spring roll wrappers
cooking oil for frying
1 tbsp. plain flour

Method:

Fry the chopped onions in cooking oil until soft and translucent. 

Trasfer to a mixing bowl and add the rest of the ingredients, save for the last three. Mix thoroughly. 

Separate the spring roll wrappers, then spoon 2 tbsps. of the filling in and roll into a thin spring roll. Seal the end with a paste made with the plain flour and 1 tbsp. of water. 


Deep fry on medium heat for 3 to 4 minutes until light brown and crisp. Drain on a rack. Serve with sweet chilli sauce. 

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Lumpiang Prito (Fried Vegetable Spring Rolls)

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CHINESE NEW YEAR PUDDING (TIKOY)

Chinese New Year is like Christmas to the Chinese. It is a big celebration and, like any other, centers on food and family. Certain kinds of food are eaten during the season that lasts for 15 days. They all have symbolisms and are supposed to bring good tidings to those who eat them. 

UBE WITH PASTILLAS DE LECHE RIPPLE ICE CREAM

I was stumped by the Kulinarya Cooking Club's theme for this month. I am supposed to make something that I would like to make on my birthday. A seemingly simple task that should actually be easy as it can be anything. 

LIME AND HONEY GLAZED CHICKEN

There is something very appealing about sweet, sticky chicken. I am guessing it is the way the chicken skin holds the glaze or the way the fat exuding out of the chicken blends with the flavours of the seasoning or the way the meat comes out juicy and tender when sealed with a sticky coating. 

ASADO BUNS

Most of my student life was spent in a Catholic all girls school. The nuns, along with the able staff cooked and baked all the food served in the canteen. The food that I like most was the asado bun, next to the siopao. They were practically the same except the buns were baked and the pao were steamed.
I clearly remembered how small they were, even when held by my little hands.

BAKED SPICY PRAWNS

I just love prawns because, aside from it being full of flavour by itself, it just goes well with anything that you add to it. This dish was inspired by a steamed prawn dish that my mother-in-law always cooks. 

Spring onions, chillies and garlic are the aromatics that work so well together and this time, I thought of giving it a Mediterranean twist by adding sherry and sun dried tomatoes. 

MOCHA AND CHESTNUT CREAM GATEAU

A cake is for celebrations. The mere sight of a cake brings on the celebratory mood. Everyone cheers up when they see something to forward to at the end of the meal.

CRISPY ADOBO WITH CHINESE MUSHROOMS AND CHIVES

Adobo is probably the most popular Filipino dish, maybe even the undeclared national dish. It is a true Filipino concoction that goes as far back as pre-Spanish times. The original adobo has the basic ingredients of garlic and vinegar, which helps keep it from spoiling even without refrigeration. The coming of the Chinese to the Philippines brought about the addition of soy sauce.

ROAST PRIME RIB OF BEEF AND YORKSHIRE PUDDINGS

Roast beef and yorkshire pudding is a match made in heaven. I would be an infinitely sadder person were I to be forbidden to eat it. I always prepare this for our new year's day celebratory meal. Sighs of pleasure burst forth with each mouthful. It definitely swings the year to a good start. It doesn't take too much effort to prepare. All that's needed is time. As the delicious smell of the roast wafts around the house, I look forward to the year ahead and hope that every house is blessed with good, wholesome food for the family to share throughout the year.

FRIED EGG NOODLES WITH PORK AND CHOI SUM

Noodles symbolizes long life. It is much loved by Orientals and is as much a staple food as rice. There is no chosen time to eat it, any time of day is fine. Yes, even breakfast. 

The debate still remains as to the origins of noodles: which came first, the noodle or the pasta? I think the issue should be put to rest as we can all happily eat both without wondering for a second where they stemmed from. 

Although it is an everday food, it is always served on special occasions such as birthdays and new year, to wish everyone partaking it a long life.

Ingredients:

200 gms. lean pork, sliced thinly
1 tsp. light soy sauce
1 tsp. sesame oil
1 tsp. corn flour
cooking oil
500 gms. fresh egg noodles
2 cloves of garlic
1/2-1 whole red finger chilli, sliced (optional)
4 fried fish balls or 2" length of fish cake, sliced thinly
2 eggs, beaten
1 tbsp. light soy sauce
2 tbsps. oyster sauce
1 tbsp. dark soy sauce
1 tbsp. brown sugar
1/2 tsp. ground black pepper
200 gms. fresh choi sum, cut in 3" lengths
1/2 c. water


Method:


Season the pork slices with the light soy, sesame oil and corn flour. 

Heat the wok and drizzle 2 tbsps. of cooking oil. Stir fry the seasoned pork slices briefly, just until it changes colour. Transfer to a dish and set aside. 


Add 2 more tbsps. of oil to the same wok and stir fry the noodles for 2 minutes. Transfer to a dish and set aside. 


Clean and heat the wok. Stir fry the garlic and chilli in 1 tbsp. of oil for 1 minute. Add the pork and fish cake slices and stir. 

Add the beaten eggs and stir until cooked. 

Add the noodles, oyster sauce, soy sauces, brown sugar and pepper. Mix well then add the choi sum and water. It is done when the choi sum is cooked. Taste to check the seasonings. Serve.

All rights reserved ©Adora's Box Copyright 2011. 

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You might also like

Chinese Spaghetti

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CRISPY UNFRIED CHICKEN

I like fried chicken but don't like frying. I have my fair share of frying mishaps. The food turns out alright but I can't say the same about myself. Luckily, I have found a way around it. 

PINEAPPLE UPSIDE DOWN CAKE

The classic and all time favourite pineapple upside down cake hasn't altogether lost its charms. A simple sponge cake topped with pineapples and a brown sugar glaze: almost sounds like a ham but in dessert form. Despite the introduction of a lot of new cakes and desserts, its presence at any holiday table is always welcome. Perhaps its festive presentation contributes to its appeal. The simplicity of preparation also makes it a quick addition to the dessert selection.

Ingredients:

2 tbsps. butter
1/2 c. brown sugar
4 slices tinned pineapple, drained, syrup reserved
1/4 cup of the reserved pineapple syrup
halved maraschino cherries, for decoration
3 eggs
1/3 c. sugar
1/2 c. plain flour

Method:

Preheat the oven to 350° F/180° C. Grease a 9" diameter cake pan with the butter. Sprinkle evenly with the brown sugar. Pour the pineapple syrup over the sugar. Arrange the pineapple slices and cherries decoratively over the sugar. Set aside. Whisk the eggs and sugar together with an electric mixer until very thick and fluffy. Sift the flour over it and fold in gently with a metal spoon. Pour the mixture over the pineapple and cherries. Bake for about 30 minutes or until a cake tester comes out clean. Let rest for a few minutes. Run a sharp knife around the sides of the pan and invert into a serving dish.

All rights reserved ©Adora's Box Copyright 2011.

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Leche Flan Cheese Cake 

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