RedGage

Chinese New Year is the most important of all the traditional Chinese holidays. People in China and Taiwan may also refer to it as the Lunar New Year or Spring Festival. Chinese months are calculated around a lunar calendar, with each month beginning on the darkest day. New Year festivities traditionally start on the first day of the month and continue until the fifteenth day, when the moon is brightest. In China. This year, Chinese New Year will be February 3, 2011, and is known as the year of the rabbit.The Chinese buy presents, decorate with red paper decorations and cook large feast for the event. It is also the tradition that every family thoroughly cleans the house to sweep away any ill-fortune in hopes to make way for good incoming luck. On the Eve of Chinese New Year, supper is a feast with families. Food will range from pigs, to ducks, to chicken and sticky rice cakes. The family will end the night with fire works. Early the next morning, children will greet their parents by wishing them a healthy and happy new year. Parents and familiy members give the children money wrapped in red paper envelopes.Chinese New Year FoodsCertain foods hold symbolism to Chinese people."Lucky" foods are served through the two week Chinese New Year celebration. A whole chicken symbolizes family togetherness. Long noodles represent long life. It's actually considered bad luck to cut the noodles. Spring rolls symbolize wealth. . Oranges and tangerines are passed out freely as symbols of luck, wealth and abundance.Easy Chinese New Year MenuMost of western civilization enjoys a more Americanized version of Chinese food. Have a little fun with the holiday without a lot of fuss. Make Chicken Chow Mein Soup, but do not cut or crush the noodles. Keep the noodles long. Buy spring rolls from the local grocery or supermarket. Find an easy fortune cookie recipe online and create your own personalized fortunes.Fry up a batch of tempura chicken or tempura pork. Instead of trying to make sweet and sour sauce, pick up a pint or a quart from the local Chinese restaurant. The restaurant may throw in a few fortune cookies and chopsticks too. Serve orange slices and tangerine slices for appetizers or after dinner treats.Chicken Chow Mein SoupThis version of Chicken chow mein soup will put egg drop soup to shame. It's very cheap to make and will make a large quantity that can be divided into portions and frozen until needed. It's very healthy, low calorie and full of fiber, protein, nutrients and vitamins. Each portions has only about 100 calories and cost about $.40 per 1 cup serving. One four quart pot makes a sixteen servings. Let's see Campbell's and Progress try to beat this soup recipe.Ingredients:

• 6 cups of chicken broth
• 3 (14 oz)cans of stir-fry vegetables ( located on the Asia food isle in the grocery store)
• 1 (4 oz) boneless, skinless chicken breast baked or boiled and chopped finely
• 2 packages of Oriental flavored ramen noodle soup, ( add both noodles and seasoning packets)
• salt, pepper and add onion powder to personal taste

Directions:

1. Bring the 6 cups of chicken broth to a boil in a 4 qt. soup pot. Add salt, pepper and onion powder to season according to personal preferences.
2. Add the stir fry vegetables,(water and all). Frozen stir fry vegetables can be used to
3. Add both packets of Oriental ramen noodle soup mix, the noodles and the seasoning mix. Stir well and allow to simmer 5 to 10 minutes.
4. Lastly, add the chicken and give it one last stir.
5. Serve topped with crunchy chow mein noodles if desired

** This recipes makes 4 quarts of soup. When cooled, divide up into 1 qt cartons or smaller individual sized serving containers and freeze until ready to eat. When ready to eat, simply pop the lid off a container and pop it in the microwave for 3-5 minutes or until hot.**Tempura BatterThis is the key to that amazing sweet and sour chicken, shrimp and pork smothered in the sweet & sour sauce. It's also helps create sesame chicken and general tso chicken.Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup flour
• 1/2 cup cornstarch
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 egg
• 2/3 cup ice water
• Oil for deep frying

Directions:

1. Sift together the dry ingredients and set aside.
2. In a medium bowl, beat the egg slightly and mix with the ice water.
3. Stir in the dry ingredients. Stir only until mixed; mixture will be slightly lumpy.

Dip shrimp, chunky-cut chicken and vegetables, etc. into the batter and deep fry in hot oil until golden brown. Drain on paper towels.Restaurant Fun at HomeIt now cost the average family of 4 about $40 - $50 to enjoy a nice evening out at a restaurant. Save money on food and make the night memorable by having a restaurant night at home. Get the family involved in planning the menu, preparing the food, cleaning and decorating the house. Children enjoy making decorations and pretend menus. Break out the good china and put a table cloth and candles on the table or take the meal to the living room and pop in a Netflix movie. Whatever the family likes, just make it special and fun. This could be something to look forward to each week. The money saved will go a long way and the memories made are priceless.