Chinese New Year - a traditional lunch with friends
On Saturday, I was invited to a Chinese New Year lunch with a coworker and her family. When my friend and I arrived, they had already placed our order - taking part in the traditional Chinese New Year cuisine. I was excited to experience a lunch unlike any I’ve had before - my friend, not as much.
We chatted about our signs while we waited for the food, and I snapped a picture of the Ox. (I’m a wood ox.) What are you? Want to know what the year has in store? For what it’s worth, you’ll find information on it here.
Not one remark about my future snake/cock husband.
Good news on the horoscope front, things are looking up for my love life:
“The position of the planets in January 2012 is favorable for the development of relations in a couple - if Bull (Ox) will not be too busy at work. Most of the trouble in a relationship that may arise are often caused by Bull’s changing mood, his lack of restraint, and ambition. Spring will be a quieter period in the relationship. During this period, a single Bull may meet the person of his/her dreams.”
We started the meal with a creamed chicken and corn soup. I didn’t take a photo of it, unfortunately, but it was really good. I’m not entirely sure what was in it (this is a theme that continues throughout the meal), but I would definitely have it again.
My friend’s granddaughter and daughter arrived just as the last dish arrived, so it was time to eat. Throughout the next while, I tried almost everything. (The garlic chicken I avoided due to allergy.)
A vegetable dish with bean curd, pea pods, lotus, and more. It was really good! I learned you can also prepare lotus as thinly sliced chips. I think I’d prefer it served like this, and will definitely be hunting that down.
Battered fish with carrots and dragon eyes in a sweet and sour sauce. Hands down the favourite! It tasted great over the seafood rice (which I didn’t snap a good photo of).
Oysters and seaweed. I’m not 100% sure of the rest of the dish, but I did enjoy it!
The oysters and the garlic chicken.
A seafood mixture with squid. The squid was a little awkward to eat with my chopsticks, and the pieces were quite large. The table consensus was that although the presentation was lovely, smaller pieces would have been preferred.
Pigeon. No, seriously. You can see the little feet. Although I passed on the feet, I didn’t pass on the pigeon. The meat was dark and tasted almost livery but it was interesting.
Another shot of the pigeon, after I ate the meat. Let this be a lesson to those pesky buggers on my balcony!
Throughout dinner we heard tales from my friend’s original home in Hong Kong and when the family ended up coming to Canada. (They moved here in 1988, but originally were going to move here in July 1987. Luckily their date was changed and they missed Edmonton’s tornado.)
After enjoying some oranges and strong chinese coffee, we all headed over to the Hong Kong bakery for some dessert.
This was my first traditional Chinese New Year dinner, and I’m honoured my friend allowed me to join her family. This was definitely out of my culinary comfort zone, and I appreciate the opportunity to branch out.
