The New Year Throughout Asia

 The Lunar New Year isn't just solely Chinese. Many other countries such as  Singapore,  Hong Kong  Thailand, and Japan to name a few celebrate it with traditional dishes. each country has delicious recipes , perfect for dinner with family and friends.

The Malaysian country of Singapore celebrates with a nod to both its' land and sea  heritage. One popular dish is Bak Kwa or barbecued pork jerky It's thin slices of pork that's been marinated in a mix of coriander,ground white pepper and cinnamon.It's first air dried and then barbecued  reflecting Singapore's Chinese roots from the Fujian province.Home chefs may make a raw fish salad which features raw salmon and pickled julienned veggies like carrots, cucumbers, white and green radishes along with ginger and onion slice.Pomelo, the grandmother of grapefrui,t is also added to the salad for more tartness and possubly to cook the fish much like ceviche. The former colony of Hong Kong celebrates with tong yoon or rice dumplings.The name is similar to the phrase tun yun which means reunion in Cantonese. It's traditionally filled with either black sesame paste or chopped peanuts but more updated versions have red bean paste, chocolate,smashed taro and even custard as fillings.

Thailand's New Year's celebrations start with a whole roasted chicken which symbolizes prosperity and unity.It's s tuffed with small shrimp, sea cucumbers and  crispy pickled squid. Also part of the stuffing are chestnuts which represent wealth and pork innards representing wealth. if that's not enough celery and bell peppers are also added along with, smoked duck breast, gingko and noodles. The filling is stir fried before it's added to the deboned chicken and the whole thing is fried until it's deep caramel brown and crispy. An abalone sauce is added.Japan's New Year's foods are not that elaborate yet still delicious in their simplicity. The meal  starts with ozoni or ozouni a clear broth soup, chock full of chicken and different vegetables such as daikon radishes, shiitake mushrooms and carrots. Sometimes tofu is added along with mochi, a short glutinous rice usually reseved for desserts. The Japanese also enjoy Osechi, an assortment of different foods.  They're served in a giant bento box . There are black beans that symbolize hard work , datemaki, a sweet egg rolled in a fish cake and rolled kelp. Shrimp and herring roe are also served in this box along with the burdock root which represents stability. The meal is finished with mikan a type of fruit ressembling a tangerine.

All of Asia is celebrating the Year of The Rabbit (or Cat in Viet Nam).It's a time of coming together for good foods and good cheer. Families gather as they enjoy traditional customs and recipes.

Easter Monday Picnics

The Easter weekend is a great time to get together with family and friends.There's church  services, egg hunts, fun dinners and wonderful desserts. Europeans extend the holiday to Monday where it'sa time to enjoy family and friends on the first outing of the season.

If you and your family or friends are lucky to have Monday off, then take advantage of the weather. Even if it's a rainy or snowy day, have a lunch together with the leftovers from Easter Sunday. Nothing beats ham sandwiches and they can either be thick slices of it , carved from the holiday roast or made into deviled ham. This last is easy . Take about two cups of coarsely chopped ham, along with  about three tablespoons of mayo and put into a food processor. Pulse until smooth You can add Dijon  mustard or celery seeds for some kick. Some add a drop of maple syrup for sweetness but it's really not necessary . Homemade deviled ham tastes best on a crunchy baguette. but can also be good on whole wheat bread too. Use up any potato salad leftover that went with the ham and throw in some pickles or gherkins,If you've had a snowy or rainy holiday, then use the holiday ham to make a hot and satisfying hot pea soup. The ham bone will definitely add to the flavor

Any extra hard boiled eggs can be made into a tasty egg salad. Add some tarragon for more flavor and color.. You could also just bring the eggs and then peel and salt them when you're hungry. If you didn't cook for Easter , then think about buying an already roasted chicken . It can be sliced and eaten as or made into sandwiches. Buy some potato or macaroni salad too for a more substantial lunch. An Easter Monday picnic is also a good time to sneak some fruit into the diet after a weekend of candy and cake. A nice apple or pear  along with grapes is a refreshing change from all those jelly beans and Peeps. You can also bring granola or Kind bars if you're planning on hiking or playing ball.


Extend the holiday weekend if you can. Turn Easter Monday into a picnic day, full of fun and food. Spend it with friends and family