I was feeling guilty about missing the family Chinese new year dinner on Saturday, so I went over to my grandma’s on Monday night to visit. My mom and both my aunts were there as well, so we kind of had a impromptu girls night, eating leftovers from the feast, watching old movies and playing mah jong.
While I was sad to have missed the big dinner, I’m grateful that I got to taste the leftovers because everything was AMAZING. I really need to spend a week in the kitchen with my grandma and aunt to get these recipes. Soon.
Hoi See Soong – Ground pork and dried oysters combined in a savory filling which is then wrapped in crisp lettuce leaves. This is one of my all-time favorite dishes that my grandma makes.
Swamp Potatoes with Pork – Special starchy potatoes that are only available this time of year, stewed with roasted pork in a rich gravy. Really, really good.
Jie (The Eight Immortals Dish) – I have no idea what’s in this, but my mom calls it the hairy eyeball dish; it has this long, stringy fungus that kind of looks like hair, and some sort of nuts or ?? that look like eyeballs. It’s a traditional new year dish that is eaten for good luck. I’m not a huge fan, but I always take a small scoop because I need all the help I can get.
Green Onion and Cilantro Chicken – A really delicious chicken dish that my uncle makes. It’s sweet and salty and savory.
Shitake Mushrooms – Plump, plump fresh shitake mushrooms with bamboo shoots (I think) in a soy-based sauce. Really good.
Lop Chong & Rice – Plain white rice steamed with Chinese sausage on top. Always delicious and easy to make!
Taro with Pork – Taro stewed with large chunks of pork in a red bean sauce. Normally I’m not a huge fan of taro, but I really like this dish.
Happy New Year!
gong hey fatt choy to you and your family, meg!
Thanks Stef! Same to you!
The fourth dish looks like cured ham or am I wrong?