CNY Recipes 2022
Chinese New Year (CNY) is just around the corner! It ushers in the yearly tradition of buying new clothes and trying to memorize all the best chengyu (chinese idioms) to greet our elders and collect angbao (red packets).
This festive period is also the perfect time to catch up with family and friends over scrumptious meals. Try out some of these crowd favorite CNY dishes when people come over to bainian (greeting and wishing each other good luck), and youre sure to impress them.
1. Bak Kwa – The King of CNY Goodies
Think of CNY snacks and youre sure to think of Bak Kwa. Bought in the kilos, the smell of this sweet-savory snack seems to be even more appealing during the Lunar New Year season! Despite the rising prices that soar higher closer to the first day of the New Year, this treat is a must.
So why not beat the queues and inflating prices by making your own? Our easy Bak Kwa recipe promises a natural meaty taste with that charcoal-grilled goodness in it. All it takes is a little time and you have a dish to boast about.
Recipe: https://themeatmen.org/bakkwa/
Preparation Time: 1 hour. Serves 1kg.
2. Level-up Pen Cai ??
Pen Cai, or poon choy, is often the pièce de résistance of CNY meals. Filled to the brim with layers and layers of premium seafood and meats, it signifies an abundance of good fortune and riches in the coming year.
In this recipe, we are using a luxurious mix of fat choy, fish maw, roast pork belly, dried scallops and braised abalone amongst others. You can build on this recipe by adding your familys favorite ingredients to make it even more special to your loved ones!
Recipe: https://themeatmen.org/pen-cai/
Preparation Time: 1 hour. Serves 4 – 6.
3. Pork and Chive Dumplings
If youre lucky enough to have half-day off on CNY eve, why not spend some time with your family making fresh dumplings from scratch? This simple recipe is packed full with bountiful flavors, and promises a fun activity for all!
You can steam these dumplings, or cook them in your reunion dinner hot pot to get that seductively tender texture. Just remember to add a few drops of Shaoxing wine for that special oomph.
Recipe: https://themeatmen.org/pork-and-chive-dumplings/
Preparation Time: 1 hour. Serves 40 dumplings.
4. Crackling Sio Bak ??
The mark of a legit Sio Bak is when you can hear the crunch of everyone munching down on its crispy skin. This recipe promises that crunchy pork skin combined with juicy flavor in the oozing meat.
The preparation might take a while, but most of the time is waiting for the meat to marinate. Try out this recipe – the seemingly elusive shiok crunch is easier to achieve than you think!
Psst, ever cooked Sio Bak in an air fryer? Best hack for less hassle and the same ol’ crunch.
Recipe: https://themeatmen.org/sio-bak-roast-pork-belly/
Preparation Time: 2 hours 30 minutes. Serves 10.
5. Kueh Pie Tee ???
Each CNY season, it is important to display your filial Pie Tee.
Prepare a Kueh Pie Tee party station for your loved ones this CNY, it’s sure to be a crowd pleaser for both young and young at heart. With the ingenious invention of Kueh Pie Tee molds, you can even create the iconic tiny pleated shells from scratch! (Store bought works perfect too)
Creating every single aspect of this dish from scratch may be a slight challenge, but the joy it will bring your loved ones is worth it.
Recipe: https://themeatmen.org/kueh-pie-tee/
Preparation Time: 1 hour 30 minutes. Serves 40 pieces.
6. Fresh Steamed Seabass Fish
Most CNY dishes are rich and oily in nature, which is why they are so delicious! But like yin and yang, there must be balance. Try out this super quick, super easy Cantonese Steamed Fish recipe to achieve that.
We chose a common breed of seabass ??? (literally Golden Eye Seabass) to use in the dish as it has a delicate texture and sweet taste that provides a much needed freshness for the palette.
Pro-tip: Adjust the steam timing depending on the size of the fish. Nothing worse than ruining a beautiful fish by over-cooking it!
Recipe: https://themeatmen.org/cantonese-steamed-fish/
Preparation Time: 10 minutes. Serves 4.
7. Claypot Prawn Glass Noodles ??????
We are not sure when big family gatherings can take place at the coffee shop zi-char store again. But at least you can bring wok hei zi-char dishes to your family in the comfort of your own home!
This combination of sweet succulent prawns nestled on a bed of peppery springy vermicelli are chefs kiss. Be warned! Your whole kitchen will smell of these amazing aromas once you lift the lid to reveal the dish.
Recipe: https://themeatmen.org/claypot-prawn-glass-noodles/
Preparation Time: 45 minutes. Serves 4.
8. Pineapple Tarts ???
Last but not least, possibly the most popular of all Chinese New Year snacks – Pineapple Tarts!
You might have eaten them your whole life, but have you ever made them from scratch? Test out this recipe to understand how taking time to cook the pineapple fiber in its own juices at home produces the most intense flavor. Once you get a taste of this homemade jam thats both texturally pleasing and flavorful, you wont want to go back to mass produced again.
Recipe: https://themeatmen.org/pineapple-tarts/
Preparation Time: 1 hour 45 minutes. Serves 4.
Chinese New Year 2022
Dont just share your OOTDs on social media this year. Try out our recipes and tag us on social media as well! Make your followers FOMO (fear of missing out) and request to visit you, not just for the angbaos, but for your delicious home cooked food.
And remember, calories consumed during CNY dont count! (;
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