Popular Foods for Special Occasions

• Posted by freeamfva jack June 3, 2021 - Filed in Arts & Culture - 620 views

  Popular Foods for Special Occasions

  In China there are a number of festivals and special occasions where particular foods are indulged in, and each one has history and legends behind it. The significant foods to prepare and consume for each of these are related to the traditional story, or are made special simply because two words sound very similar.To get more news about special dishes of china, you can visit shine news official website.

  1. Dumplings

  Of course dumplings are popular everywhere all of the time, but especially during the New Year celebrations, and especially in northern China. The name ‘jiaozi’ sounds like a word that means ‘bidding farewell to the old and ushering in the new’, and so dumplings are always made before midnight on New Years’ Eve and eaten during the last hour of the old year and the first hour of the Lunar New Year. The shape of ‘jiaozi’ resembles that of ancient gold and silver ingots or a crescent moon, and symbolizes the hope for a year of plenty. Some people like to wrap a one-yuan, fifty-cent or ten-cent coin in some of the dumplings, as a token of good fortune for those who eat them. This is said to ensure good luck and prosperity in the New Year.
  Dumplings are meant to bring peace to families which may be in discord, and certainly the communal gathering to make the dumplings can do that as some people roll the skins, others make the stuffing, and others add the finishing touches. After they are stuffed with minced pork and chives or cabbage they can be steamed or fried, and then dipped in a variety or sauces as they are consumed.

  2. Glutinous Rice Cakes – niangao
  The pronunciation of the Chinese word ‘niangao’, or rice cake, sounds like a word meaning a higher level of life, which is a good enough reason for the rice-growing people of southern China to use this popular sweet food to celebrate the New Year. Guests will greet each other with “nian nian gao sheng” which basically means, “I hope each year will be better than the last!”
  Niangao is made from glutinous rice powder and can be fried, steamed, stir-fried or boiled, resulting in a sweet, sticky, brown cake in the shape of a rectangle which can be eaten hot or cold, and is often given as a gift.

  3. Eight Treasures Rice
  Another sweet and sticky dessert, this popular Chinese New Year fare features a mixture of glutinous rice, nuts and fruits all cooked together. According to the relevant story, a thousand years ago this dessert was created to celebrate eight legendary warriors who defeated a tyrant. Another story about its origin is about a starving general on the run, who sustained himself throughout the winter by cooking up eight pilfered ingredients from nearby villages.
  4. Lion’s Head Meatball
  A less common delicacy is Lion’s Head Meatball with Shanghainese Bok Choy. Because the lion is such a revered animal in Chinese culture, this popular Chinese New Year dish was created in the beast’s likeness. In actuality, this lion head is really just delicious pork meatballs with a bok choy mane.

  5. Longan and Lychee
  Eating fresh fruit at the New Year suggests a new start. Presenting Chinese longan (which in Chinese means ‘dragon’s eye’) as well as the beautiful lychee together in a fruit bowl make an attractive table adornment as well as a refreshing post-meal palate cleanser. They are also eaten for superstitious reasons, referencing family abundance and togetherness.
  6. Persimmons
  Less commonly available outside of China, this vibrant orange fruit may look similar to a tomato, but its custardy sweetness and soft flesh (tender enough to eat with a spoon!) makes fans of many first-time tasters. Often sold in boxes of 10 or more, this golden fruit, another prosperity-promising New Year’s food, makes a thoughtful host gift.