Chinese New Year
New Year's Eve has come and gone, but the party isn't over yet. Each year, Chinese New Year falls in late January or February, so that means it's time to celebrate one more time! Invite your friends over for a spread of homemade dumplings, dipping sauces and sweet sesame balls.
Vegetable Dumplings >>
Salt and Pepper Tofu >>
>>
Sweet Sesame Balls >>
Chile-Soy Sauce >>
Scallion-Ginger Sauce >>
Honey-Orange Sauce >>
HOW TO FOLD DUMPLINGS
1. Wet the wrapper and place a spoonful of filling in the middle.
2. Fold the wrapper corner to corner and press the edges together, using more water if necessary to seal.
3. Pinch together the two corners of the wrapper's folded edge.
SET THE SCENE
Cash In
Give each guest a red envelope stuffed with money. The package is a traditional Chinese New Year gift, symbolizing good fortune for the coming year.
Leaf It
Orange stems and leaves symbolize the branching of a family. If you can't find citrus with leaves attached, fill a bowl with oranges and place some leaves around them.
Go Fish
Chinese New Year meals often include a whole fish to convey a sense of togetherness and abundance -- but you can send the same message (and sweeten the deal) with bags of Swedish fish candy.
CHOPSTICKS IDEAS
They're not just for Chinese food anymore!
Use 'em to stir veggies in the skillet.
Fish a bay leaf out of the pot.
Coax pickles from a jar.
Create an instant trivet: Just place a handful of chopsticks on the table and set that hot casserole on top.
Keep a pot ajar by arranging chopsticks across the rim before setting down the lid.