February 1, 2010 12:16 pm

Chinese Lunar New Year: Foods for Year of the Tiger

It's not often that you're greeted with an excited "Have you eaten yet?" upon entering a restaurant. But this classic Chinese phrase, "Chi fan le mei you?" is exactly what you'll encounter during the Lunar New Year celebration. If 2010's culinary offerings are any indication, this newly minted Year of the Tiger promises to be full of spicy adventures and sweet moments meant to savor.

Auspiciousness is king during this ancient Chinese celebration, and foods that are considered to carry luck and good fortune through their homonym qualities are served to usher in a new year. Embodying the twin hopes of health and happiness, dishes brimming with spice and flavor abound at a Lunar New Year feast. The festivities begin on February 14 and last until you're full. Here are some lucky eats we look forward to enjoying this year.

Citrus Celebration: Spicy orange beef will kick the new year off right with its red pepper, orange marmalade and sherry simmering to perfection.

Whole Foods: Rife with symbolism, Chinese Lunar New Year foods such as fish and chicken often arrive at the table whole to represent abundance in the upcoming months. Tip, a red pepper dipping sauce promises to spice up your festivities.

Get Together: For a classic approach on coming together for the Lunar New Year, try a "tray of togetherness". This distinctive box takes symbolism to a new level with its smorgasbord of fortune-attracting goodies. For accumulating wealth, dried melon seeds are perfect while sweetened lotus seeds represent fertility. Finish with an array of candies and the sweetness will last all year long.

Play With Your Food: Symbolizing completeness, "Yuan Siu" will bring a delightful sense of play to the table during the Year of the Tiger. These sesame rice balls filled with sweet stuffing are a fun foray into traditional Chinese cooking.

Determine Your Own Destiny: Cook up some homemade fortune cookies and write your own ticket for a prosperous new year. Trick, skip the conversation hearts this and get creative and romantic with your fortunes. Chinese New Year and Valentine's Day fall on the same day this year, so why not enjoy a little luck and love with your celebration?

Stick Together: Nian Gao, traditional sticky rice cake, is a Chinese food favorite that will leave you feeling warm and full for the first six months of the new year.

This year's observance is considered especially lucky (especially with Valentine's Day on the same date) and a unique opportunity to engage in some East-West revelry. While Chinatown is bustling with the sights and sounds of its Lunar New Year Parade, there are plenty of flavors to explore in your own kitchen and throughout the city's restaurants.

Photo credit: tastytreats.wordpress.com

— Written by Marissa Coren

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