In China, the most important dinner for Chinese is the Lunar New Year Eve dinner with family members.The strong desire for those away from home to get home for the Lunar New Year was evident in the millions of Chinese on the move every year around this time. Everyone tries very hard spending days, traveling long distances to be with their families for the New Year, very much like North Americans do around the time of Christmas.
Since the majority of my extended family members, save for our kids, reside in the Greater Toronto area, we didn't have to travel any distance nor did we have to do any cooking as we were invited to a fantastic Lunar New Year Eve dinner tonight.
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| A traditional Chinese New Year tray containing sweets treats |
It has always been important for my parents to celebrate the Lunar New Year and share the important dinner.
Though my dad passed away a few years ago, we still continue with that tradition.
My sister was thoughtful and generous enough to host us in their beautiful home.
A vase of beautiful flowers greeted us and welcome us into the home.
Beside the flowers, there was the traditional New Year tray of sweet treats tempting guests visiting their home.
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| Chinese New Year Eve dinner is an important tradition for families |
My sister and Fanny were busy in the kitchen preparing for the New Year Eve dinner. In fact, they started cooking yesterday and spent the whole day today.
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| The dinner usually contains nine courses |
The food in each dish was rich with symbolism; each dish of these nine course dinner represented something good for the new year.
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| A very special big combination dish |
Of the nine dishes, there were steamed chicken, deep fried oysters, taro and pork stew, meat, dumping, steamed fish, barbeque pork, steamed scallops and cucumbers, a vegetable plate etc.
The star of the dinner was this big combination dish with shrimps, fish, pork, mushrooms and various vegetables cooked in their own sauces and then plated nicely and served in a big serving dish.
I heard of this dish before but never had it. It looked appetizing and tasted delicious!
Rosie and Fanny did an outstanding job making this very special dish!
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| New Year dinner - getting the young & old together |
The New Year Eve dinner is for family members, young and old, far and near to be together.
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| Wearing traditional Chinese clothes for the New Year |
Around Lunar New Year time, most people taking part in the dinner, especially kids dress in their traditional Chinese clothes, usually in red.
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| Roxanne was wearing red too! |
Even Roxanne, the family pet was dressed in red in observance of this significant day!
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| Giving of the red pocket - A Chinese New Year tradition |
Another favourite tradition of the New Year celebration is the giving of red pockets to the youngsters and unmarried people.
Unlike the western culture where gift recipients always open the gifts they receive right in front of the givers, Chinese people do not open their red pockets which contain various amount of money depending on the economic condition of the givers.
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| Three generations celebrating the New Year together! |
A great dinner, a celebration and an excellent opportunity for family members to be together!
We were glad that Rosie was generous enough to hos the dinner and brought us all together!
Happy New Year of the Ram!
R.T.
New Year Eve Dinner
Richmond Hill, Ontario
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