Celebrate Chinese New Year Feb. 14-28

LOS ALAMITOS, CA – Chinese New Year – The Year of the Tiger begins on the first day of the first lunar month according to the Chinese calendar – Feb. 14 – and ends Feb. 28.

While many Westerners will be eating chocolates from heart-shaped boxes on Valentine's Day, millions of people around the world will be celebrating the entrance of the Year of the Tiger. One of the most important traditional Chinese holidays, Chinese New Year celebrations are a time of reunion, where families get together and celebrate over special feasts with foods to symbolize abundance, wealth, longevity and good fortune.

During the Chinese New Year, many foods and colors take on symbolic meanings. Here are a few interesting symbolisms:

• Pummelos, the largest citrus fruit, are seen as a symbol of prosperity and fertility, and are often presented as Chinese New Year gifts.
• Kumquat Trees are often used as a decoration during Chinese New Year. The golden color of these tiny fruits symbolizes wealth, and “kum” means “gold” in Cantonese.
• Noodles, such as Frieda's Chow Mein, Yakisoba or Udon, are a symbol of longevity. For this reason, Noodles are always served whole and never cut.
• Chinese Long Beans, which are like extra-long green beans (measuring 12 to 20 inches in length), are another symbol of longevity.
• Mandarin Oranges are also a popular gift, because in Chinese, the word "orange" sounds like "Ji", which means "good luck". People present oranges to their friends and relatives to express their respects and good wishes for the coming year.
• Red is the preeminent color during the festivities, symbolizing joy, luck and happiness. Add some natural red pigment to your dishes with Frieda's Blood Oranges.
• Egg Rolls and Spring Rolls are a symbol of wealth because their shape resembles a gold bar.

Here are a couple of recipes from Frieda's Specialty Produce:

Chinese Chicken with Waterchestnuts

1 tbsp. dry sherry

3 tbsp. soy sauce

1 tsp. cornstarch

3 tbsp. salad oil

1 clove garlic, crushed

3 tbsp. chives, chopped

1 slice Frieda's Fresh Ginger, slivered

1/2-lb. uncooked chicken, cut in thin strips

1 3-oz. pkg. Frieda's Waterchestnuts, peeled and sliced

Mix sherry, soy sauce and cornstarch; set aside. Heat frying pan; add oil and heat thoroughly. Add garlic, chives, and ginger; stir-fry 1 minute. Add chicken to stir-fry and cook for 3 to 4 minutes or until light brown. Add waterchestnuts and stir-fry 1 more minute. Add cornstarch mixture and stir for another minute or so. Serve immediately.

Source: www.friedas.com

Duck Salad with Kumquat Dressing

½ cup red or white wine vinegar

½ cup Frieda's Kumquats, chopped

1/3 cup salad oil

2 tbsp. honey

Romaine lettuce leaves

1 head Frieda's Belgian Endive

1 ½ cups cooked, chilled julienne slices of duck breast meat or chicken breast

2/3 cup green or red seedless grapes

3 tbsp. chopped walnuts or slivered almonds

Frieda's Alfalfa Sprouts as garnish

For dressing, in blender or food processor bowl with blade, place the vinegar, kumquats, oil, and honey. Cover and process until nearly smooth. Chill. To assemble salad, line a large serving platter or individual plates with romaine leaves. Arrange Belgian endive, duck or chicken pieces, grapes, and nuts on leaves. Garnish with alfalfa sprouts if desired. Pass dressing with salads. Makes 2 servings; 1 ½ cups dressing.

Source:

www.friedas.com