[CNY 2015] Lunar New Year Vegetarian Steamboat and Lo Hei Yusheng

Planning for a eat-clean this lunar new year?  Vegetarian steamboat and Lo Hei Yusheng will be available from Kong Meng San Phor Kark See Monastery from 14 February to 5 March 2015!  For enquiries, call 6849 5333.



 

 

 

[CNY 2014] Step-by-Step Lo Hei Guide

If you need to feel a little guided during Lo-Hei, this step-by-step guide will be useful.  Auspicious phrases (even in hanyu pinyin) are included too!!  Do excuse for not having lo-hei during CNY anymore =)

 



 

[CNY 2014] Nian Gao

One of the Lunar New Year tradition is to eat Nian Gao (年糕), or some calls it Tian Guo (甜粿 or sweet cake).  It is a steamed sticky rice cake made using glutinous rice flour.  It is said to be an auspicious dish because it symbolises "raising oneself taller" in each coming year.  It doesn't mean to physically grow an inch taller, but it means having an improvement (in whatever ways) in the coming year.

Nian Gao can be easily purchased from confectionery shops or even at the supermarkets.  It comes if varying sizes and some even provide lucky number for lottery.  For some families, they prefer to make this special delicacy themselves.  Recipe for reference:
http://www.chow.com/recipes/29363-steamed-chinese-new-year-cake

As we celebrate and welcome the year of the galloping Horse, let's not forget the importance of gratitude, and not to take things for granted!  Watch this short video as a reminder to ourselves =)

[CNY 2014] New Year Snacks Part 2

Bought more CNY cookies and I seem to be particularly attracted to gula Melaka cookies this year.  The second batch of cookies that I bought for this CNY is from Cedele Depot, Artisan Handmade Cookies.  Although they are a little more expensive, I think it is worth it because the cookies are hand-made, do not contain artificial ingredients and there is no trans fats.

 

Gula Melaka Coconut - Love the nostalgic taste of gula Melaka and the declicious desiccated coconut.  The cookies are really crispy.

 

 

Pineapple Pocket Pie - This isn't my first time getting the pineapple pockets for CNY.  The pineapple pockets are for those who likes buttery pastry.  Cedele's version isn't too overpowering.  Soft and firm pastry filled with sweet & sourish pineapple jam.

Website: http://www.cedeledepot.com/

[CNY 2014] New Year Snacks

It is the time of the year again!  Lunar New Year comes faster this year, just within a month from the start of 2014.  I contemplated quite a bit what new year snacks to get this year.  Pineapple tart is a must but I have yet to find one which really excites me.  While shopping at Takashimaya CNY fair, I chanced upon 2 snacks from Rasa Sayang which are rather unique and tasty.  Their snacks are made in Indonesia.

 

 

The first is Oven Baked Purple Yam Chips.  It is oven baked and there isn't other added flavouring.  It is simply thinly sliced purple yam, sent into the oven.  Sounds healthy?  I think so.  It tasted so.  The only unhealthy bit is that some vegetable oil has been used during the baking process.

The second is Gula Melaka Kueh Bangkit (literally means fragrant cake).  Tasty kuah bangkit should crumble and melt in the mouth, not too floury, not too sweet and has a fragrant coconut taste.  It is actually quite labour intensive to make kueh bangkit.  The additional plus point to this particular kueh bangkit is the gula Melaka taste.  Double coconut happiness!

Ok, I have a week to continue my search for the perfect pineapple tart this year.  Send me recommendations!

Website : http://www.rsayang.com/

CNY 2013 goodies calorie count guide | herworldPLUS

The Chinese New Year season is a season where many would indulge in cookies, pastries which are specially made for this festive period.  With a slip in self-control, a few additional kilos would quietly slip into our body.  So, let's be mindful of what we eat!

Source: CNY 2013 goodies calorie count guide | herworldPLUS

Lunar New Year Lo-Hei Auspicious Phrases (Huat Ah!)

Lo-Hei is a tradition during lunar new year, where family and friends gather and toss the ingredients before they are eaten. The ingredients, typically raw salmon, shredded carrots, radish and crackers, have special auspicious meanings, including the condiments. While adding condiments to the platter, the person would need to say auspicious phrases. Check out what these phrases are.