Did you know that February 16th is Chinese New Year and it’s the Year of the Dog? While I haven’t celebrated in any formal way since I was a little kid, I will always use any excuse to cook and eat something delicious, and much of the new year revolves around food so I think it’s time to fire up the stove!
I find myself often craving Chinese dishes I grew up with, but I can never make them as well as my mom does. And while she has shown me how to make a few things, it’s hard to learn because it’s always, “add a little of this, a little bit of sugar, and that’s it!” I need precise measurements, Mom! In any case, I have been attempting to make more dishes I grew up with as I don’t get to eat my mom’s cooking often since she lives in another city. I now make congee and fried rice occasionally, my sister just recently taught me how to make wontons and I also made hot and sour soup for the very first time using a recipe I found online.
For Chinese New Year, I think I’ll make this recipe for Braised Chinese Mushrooms and Sesame Bok Choy (I made it recently to test it out first before making it for friends). It was surprisingly easy to make and the best part is that I didn’t have to make a trip into Chinatown for the ingredients because Real Canadian Superstore carries all of the ingredients at great value. And I know they’re authentic brands because I recognize them (brands such as T&T and Rooster) from my mom’s kitchen.
So creating a dish for Chinese New Year, or just when I’m craving Chinese food with the best (aka mom-approved) authentic ingredients, is easy because I can just pick them up during my regular weekly grocery trip. I know my mom is very particular about the ingredients she uses, and I love that I can get everything she would use at an easy-on-the-budget cost at Real Canadian Superstore (because let’s face it: I’m way more likely to cook these dishes I love from my childhood if I can get the ingredients easily). Now, I’ll just have to hound my mother for more precise recipe instructions so that the dishes taste just right!
Oh, and here’s the recipe for the Braised Chinese Mushrooms and Sesame Bok Choy. I actually had all of the ingredients on hand except for the mushrooms and bok choy, so this dish cost me next to nothing to make.
Happy New Year, and happy eating!
(sponsored).
February 8, 2018
This Saturday, January 28, 2017, is Chinese New Year and it’s the Year of the Rooster! Now while I haven’t celebrated it in years, about a year ago, I interviewed chef Eric Chong about his family’s Chinese New Year traditions and he spoke of the annual feast they prepare. Which got me thinking, so I asked my sisters what we used to do, and they said my mom used to prepare homemade bau, and special dishes with chicken and shiitake mushrooms. And that we weren’t allowed to wash our hair that day (a superstitious tradition of some sort, which I don’t follow now, sorry, mom!).
I don’t really remember too much of this…I think maybe by the time I came around (I’m the baby of the family) that we celebrated less and less (was I such a handful that all sorts of extra cooking and festivities dwindled down?!). While I don’t host a particular celebration now, this week I learned what a bounty of foods (at good prices, too) there are at Real Canadian Superstore and No Frills to help one do so.
Both stores have steadily been moving towards making their stores a one-stop shop with a focus on offering a great selection of global foods.
Like these T&T pork and leek dumplings and green onion pancakes (above). I love that they’re so quick to prepare so it makes for a tasty meal both for part of a CNY celebration but also any time of year. I also found things like sour sop ice cream, dragonfruit, lo mein noodles, Rooster dried flower mushrooms, pineapple cakes, and so much more. If I were hosting a dinner, this vegetable dish looks amazing, and I’d be able to get all of the ingredients at No Frills or RCSS (if you’d like to make it, here’s the recipe for this Braised Chinese Mushrooms and Sesame Bok Choy).
RCSS and No Frills both have oodles of fresh produce and foods to help you prep for your Chinese New Year celebrations. They carry a good selection of T&T and loads of Rooster brand products and fresh fruits like starfruit, dragonfruit and yes, citrus fruits (so key to Chinese New Year!). And at Real Canadian Superstore, you can also pick up some decorations for your get-together! My favourite is the pretty lantern at the top of this post.
THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED.
Now, how would you like to win a little red envelope in celebration of Chinese Year New? I’m giving away five PC giftcards valued at $20 each that can be used at Real Canadian Superstore and No Frills. This giveaway is open to all Canadian residents.
It’s an Instagram giveaway, and here’s how to enter:
- Follow me on Instagram, @healthandswellness.
- Comment on the Instagram photo related to this giveaway (it’s a photo of the red lantern) what your favourite Chinese dish or food is, and also tag two friends who you’d invite to your Year of the Rooster celebrations.
The giveaway closes at noon (12 p.m. EST) on Monday, January 30, 2017, and I’ll randomly select five winners that day. The winners will be notifed via Instagram so that the five lucky people can provide their addresses and details to claim their giftcard prize.
Thanks and good luck!
Congratulations to the winners of this giveaway: @ avodah8 @nicoleroannef @dlasquinha @laurieswimmer and @xvalmeida!
January 25, 2017
