January, Let's Welcome the Year of the Snake

The snake in Chinese Zodiac animals is sometimes referred to as small dragon, so it is consider a good year. While Chinese people busy preparing for the New Year, it is time for us to start our New Year with some healthy and tasty dishes. China covers such a large area which provides its people huge variety of ingredients, with the long history of trading with the rest of the world, there is a world of herbs spices and flavours in Chinese cuisine, it can be so exciting yet healthy!

Sha Cha Fry Rice

Sha Cha is a sauce used around southern coastal area of China, which is similar to the Satay flavour you are more familiar with, but this certainly packs a stronger punch.

Youtiao (fried crispy bread sticks)

This is a popular street food in China, you can find them in almost every city and every town. Although how people enjoy them can be different between north and south. They can be eaten on their own, with savoury soup, with sweet soya milk or wrapped in thin crepes.

Chicken Sweetcorn Soup

You might have seen this soup on the menu of your local Chinese takeaway, but I bet you haven’t though it can be so tasty. With all the fresh and healthy ingredients in this soup, it will surely give you a boost of energy.

Lion’s Head

This is the traditional dish in my family every Chinese New Year. It is a famous dish from east coast of China. People imagine the large fried meat balls look like the head of a lion, hence the name of the dish. Different town have their own versions of this dish, ours is a lighter and healthier version with soup.

Fish in Spicy Pickled Vegetable Soup

This is a popular dish from Sichuan Province in Southwest of China. The strong and spicy flavours in the soup work really well with the sweetness of the fish.

Crispy Fried Oyster Mushrooms

A dish from Northern China what graces many New Year’s dinner table in the region. This is a dish that is simple, yet surprisingly tasty.

Tofu Stick Stir Fry

This vegetarian dish is a great example of Chinese vegetarian dishes. There are a mixture of soft and crunchy texture, makes every month delicious the interesting.

Jasmine Rice

Every self-respected Chinese home cook must be able to make perfect boiled rice every time, it should be light, fluffy, not too soft not too hard, white and fragrant.

Sticky Toffee Pudding

I love this pudding because it has a very similar flavour to the brown sugar and Chinese dates rice cake I loved as a child in China. It is a treat at the end of a healthy meal, enjoy!