The Chinese New Year Cookbook: Authentic Family Recipes for Dumplings, Noodles, Stir-fries and More

There’s something so special about sitting down to share a meal when it brings you closer to the traditions of your family and gives you a reason to celebrate. These recipes will bring the comfort of traditional Chinese home cooking to your own kitchen, beginning with dishes that make you feel like you are being gently welcomed into a home – a perfectly cooked whole fish, steamed until tender, with a hint of ginger and soy, or crispy golden spring rolls, where the crunch of the roll makes every bite an occasion. It is these flavors that make a house feel like home.As you continue on this culinary journey, you will discover the central pieces that can elevate everyday nights into celebrations. Char siu pork, with its rich, dark mahogany glaze and giant Lion’s Head meatballs wrapped in sweet cabbage are just two examples of the beautiful presentation of these dishes. The pork belly will fall apart at the touch of your fork and the dumplings you prepare together as a family will be a labor of love and a meditation in every pleat. And lastly, the sticky rice parcel wrapped in a lotus leaf will release into a package of comfort as it steams.I think the best part of this collection of recipes is that they are designed for real life. You will be able to quickly learn simple stir-fry techniques to help you get through those busy weeknights (like crisp green beans with garlic, colorful vegetables in a glossy sauce, or even lettuce wraps that are ready quicker than take-out). And then you will also have a variety of celebration dishes for when you want to go big (like a hot pot spread where everyone can participate, braised duck that fills the entire house with its aroma, or even sesame balls that bring you good luck with each golden bite).This isn’t a collection of complicated, fussy, restaurant-style techniques that require special training. Instead, each recipe has been carefully crafted to walk you through the steps in a friendly manner, while also explaining the “why” behind what you are doing. You will learn how to work with different types of ingredients such as black bean sauce, Sichuan peppercorns, and glutinous rice to build your confidence with each new flavor.You will have everything you need to create delicious breakfast dim sum favorites (such as egg tarts and turnip cakes), along with delicious desserts (such as sesame-filled rice balls) that mean something to your family. No longer will you wonder what you are making for dinner tonight – instead, you will begin to create meals that truly bring people together in anticipation.