On the eve of January 22, Chinese the world over will gather to usher in the Year of the Dragon. New Year is unlike any other festival of the lunar calendar. Preparations begin weeks in advance: Houses are cleaned from top to bottom. All accounts with tradespeople are settled and the cooks in the family pause to plan the New Year’s feast. In Chinese astrology anyone born during the year of the dragon is special and it is considered to be a year filled with good fortune- a wish we all need in these challenging times.

On New Year’s eve, the whole family gathers for a huge banquet and certain foods are de rigeur for the holiday. There may be spring rolls which symbolize bricks of gold bricks. Dumplings are often boiled, steamed, or pan-fried when they are said to resemble golden coins. Noodles symbolize and impart a wish of longevity. They are also the Chinese equivalent of a birthday cake and since everyone is a year older, the New Year is also a type of birthday celebration. Many Chinese families prefer to serve only vegetarian dishes for New Year’s meal. Bowls of oranges and tangerines are put on display to be eaten and they also imply a wish for happiness and prosperity.

Jennifer Che, of the popular website TinyUrbanKitchen.com and I got together to make TWO recipes: Jennifer made homemade dumplings from scratch (Her recipe is on her website and we have on ours to PLUS I made a simpler, but no-less-delicious recipe from my new book Simple Asian Meals :Gingery Faux Won Ton Soup with Bow Tie Pasta.

Here’s wishing you all a healthy and happy New Year filled with good fortune! ENJOY!!

Quickbite: Miso-Health-Giving Elixir

Not so long ago, miso was an ingredient that was only available in Asian specialty markets, but these days walk into any well-stocked supermarket and there it is with all the other soy products. And more than likely you have a choice of light or dark.

As you will see in the video, I introduce you to the two main varieties, “white” (miso shiro) and red or dark (aka miso) and discuss their various uses. But you might be surprised at the fantastic health-giving properties. For instance:

· It’s packed with vegetable protein.

· The numerous minerals help to strengthen the immune system so it really helps to fight colds and the flu.

· Miso may even help to lower the incidence in breast cancer.

And if you go to the recipe section, there’s one of my favorite versions of a sumptuous, but easy miso soup.

Enjoy!!

Nina