Chinese New Year or the Spring Festival is the longest and the most important festival in the Chinese calendar. My two sensations are related to family dinner, generalPeople’s expectations towards the new year and… food! Eating is an important part of Chinese New Year holiday as many products are prepared for the holiday and consumed during these days. Here are some of the best Chinese New Year treats you must make to create long-lasting memories with your family and friends this festivity atmosphere.

Dumplings or more specifically known as Tangyuan (Glutinous Rice Balls).

Tangyuan are one of the staples of Chinese New Year sweets. These are round shaped glutinous rice dumplings with colorful outer layer which has sweet filling including black sesame, peanut, red bean paste or preserved fruits. Its round shape and eating it in a potion does depict reunion of a family or rather fullness or completeness. Tangyuan are also convenient to prepare at home as well Tangyuan. It is very easy to prepare; just mix the rice dough, form it into small portions, stuff and boil or steam well done. And you should enjoy them warm – best served in a ginger infused broth or sweet soup. This is very scrumptious; it has a twist of ginger and has that soft chewy texture which is very yummy!  

Nian Gao (New Year Cake)

Nian gao, called Chinese New Year cake, is a kind of soft and tender cake made from rice and is typically consumed during the Spring Festival. It is made from glutinous rice flour and the cake can be steamed or fried before it can be eaten. In Chinese, “nian gao” – a homophone for “higher year,” also means people’s aspiration or hope for improvement and good results of coming year. While sweet nian gao recipes may be plain, nian gao could also be filled with red bean paste, coconut, taro or dried fruit. The savory versions use shrimp, Chinese sausage or pickled vegetable. Prepare this good luck treat for your family to make your holiday happy and full of luck in the coming new year.

Spring Rolls

Crispy fried golden spring rolls have to be present on the dining table throughout the Chinese New Year celebrations. Boasting of healthy vegetable or meat/sea food stuffs, it symbolizes prosperity for the new year. The fillings used are ingredients such as shiitake mushrooms, carrots, cabbage, bean sprouts and vermicelli noodles. The thin outer layer has a crumple crispness that complements the moist countenance of the food stuff within. Making spring rolls at home is a little bit of work, but when you adopt this approach, the result is always worth it. Make sure everyone can sit around the table while eating hot crispy and freshly fried snacks at the same time. It is actually enjoyable to do before the actual feast kicks off as well!

Longevity Noodles  
  
Longevity noodles ( chang shou mian in Chinese) are actually sign of demaning for longevity for him who ate it. These slim noodles are extended far across the bottom of the bowl which symbolizes longevity. Welsh people take special noodles on New Year’s eve as a way of wishing for long life in the New Year. Longevity noodles can either be boiled and used in a soup or stir fried vegetables or be pan fried. Be sure to incorporate ginger slices, bok choy, shiitake mushrooms, sesame oil to achieve more of the taste and texture. In terms of the scent that will spread across your house this form of noodles will bring joy from recalling the past years and dream for the better future years.

Pineapple Tarts

Fangsheng or pineapple tarts consist of a crumbly buttery cookie base topped with pineapple jam which forms the traditional Chinese New Year cookies. The pineapple refers to abundance and the cookie to gold bars, considered symbols of auspiciousness for the New Year. These are extremely soft buns which are very tasty and come with a taste that gave a Chines bakery. Although the carving is a little complex though, there are a number of simple pineapple tart recipes to follow. There is also part creativity in making these cookies at home with the family especially during festivals and the cookies are fun while making. Make sure you prepare enough because everyone loves pineapple tarts so much that they wouldn’t last long!

Based on the symbolic nature of the best traditional CNY goodies mentioned above, these treats are perfect for adding both deep meaning and delightful flavors to your Chinese New Year celebrations. As you share precious moments with loved ones during this Spring Festival, may you enjoy filling the small round dumplings with sweet fillings, savoring the longevity noodles as they twirl on your plate, and tasting the freshly baked pineapple tarts. Each bite brings you closer to creating cherished memories together. Wishing you a Happy Valentine’s Day and a sweet, prosperous New Year filled with the best traditional CNY goodies!