Tuesday, August 31, 2010
I didn’t cook this Chinese New Year. I spent the day learning to trap spot prawns on Organic Ocean’s boat instead. I brought my catch to mom, who cooked our celebratory dinner this year.
The night before, I was invited to a traditional Chinese dinner at a restaurant. So how did they compare to mom’s cooking?
I don’t know about others but I personally dread dining out on Chinese holidays. The restaurants are usually packed, the dishes are lukewarm, and I feel rushed to scarf down my portion. That evening, the restaurant had 5 seatings starting from 4:30 pm, I kid you not. So instead of serving the courses progressively, they flew out of the kitchen and were jammed onto our table.
Oh well, the madness is just a part of the celebrations that we’ve long accepted and gotten used to.
Cold Appetizers: jelly fish, fatty pork, five-spice beef shank
Sharkfin Soup (Yes, say what you will. It’s futile trying to talk parents out of it.) 
Peking Duck 
Duck Lettuce Wrap 
Lobsters on Noodles
Pea Tips in Broth
Braised Shortribs 
Steamed Whole Fish 
Desserts: Red Bean Soup, “Laughing” Sesame FrittersWhile those restaurant dishes looked pretty, they just couldn’t beat mom’s clean, healthy, and thoughtful menu.
Mom’s cooking is simple. There’s never much attention paid to plating and garnish but that’s how we love it. Instead, she pours her heart into creating flavourful and natural dishes using the best ingredients.
Here’s what we had for dinner.
Fermented Red Beanpaste Braised Lotus Root
Whole Steamed Free Range, Organic Chicken
Cured meat platter. Clockwise from the left: Chinese sausage, Cured Fatty Pork, Smoked Duck, Chinese Liver Sausage 
Steamed Spot Prawns (I helped trap these beauties!)
Shiitake Mushrooms and Dried Oysters on AsparagusHappy year of the TIGER *growl* ! Did you dine out or eat at home?
50% of Chinatown Tour Proceeds go to
Fine dining on the SS Floating Dining
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Comments (12)
February 17th, 2010 at 1:18 pm
This year was particularly bad for dining out because we also have that Hallmark holiday on the same day. I ended up picking some take out as I had things to do and I was in a hurry. However…
I will be visiting my parents later this year and it will be guaranteed I will be having my share of home cooking. :)
But! You are a lucky girl considering your mother knows how to cook. Can you imagine a family where neither parents know… >_<
February 17th, 2010 at 3:22 pm
This sounds so good – your mom knows how to cook! Next year, invite us all over! LOL I’m hungry now.
February 17th, 2010 at 3:35 pm
Your moms cooking looks WAY better! Nice prawns! We don’t get our spot prawns in season until a bit later. I can’t wait… :D
February 17th, 2010 at 3:45 pm
Definitely, mom’s homecooking is the way to go. I was tempted to go out and eat that day, but I stayed home and cooked me some lobster instead. Much better than having to rush and eat on a holiday.
February 17th, 2010 at 4:21 pm
I have never seen spot prawns, they are so beautiful! I hope someday to go prawn catching. Mom’s the best!
February 17th, 2010 at 8:04 pm
Mmm . . I love lotus root! I would definitely pick mom over restaurant, although the Chinese food in Vancouver is really good! Come to think of it, I don’t think I’ve ever gone to a restaurant on Chinese New Year.
February 17th, 2010 at 11:02 pm
Which restaurant did you go to?
We’ve always eaten at home for Chinese New Years. My fave is my mom’s lotus soup..it’s extra when you have it on the next day when the flavours from the lotus and meat are stronger.
Those spot prawns look amazing
February 18th, 2010 at 2:57 am
Your mom’s Chinese New Year cooking is simple and health but looks very delicious. If I cook those type of dishes for Chinese New Year, it will have negative feedback as people where I am in now tends to be extravagant on this occasion.
It’s normal to eat out at the restaurants during the eve of Chinese New Year at my place.
People used to eat at home years ago when I was still a teen. I was the one to do some of the cooking but the food are not simple as it took me at least 24 hrs to prepare the marination process or do some slow stewing to maximize the flavor of the dish, which means lots of work put in
February 18th, 2010 at 6:28 am
I thought it adveturous enough to try my hand at amking won ton soup for Chinese New Year!
February 18th, 2010 at 10:50 am
Make sure you save the prawn heads. They’re good for making a seafood broth.
February 18th, 2010 at 11:01 am
Happy Chinese New Year! I have to say, I dined out twice but that’s because my parents are on the other side of the globe! I agree that dining out is a pain on CNY but it’s also a fabulous excuse to have the cold starter (LOVE jellyfish), roasted suckling pig, shark’s fin (yes) and Peking Duck.
I’m a big fat pig and not tigery at all.
xx
February 18th, 2010 at 8:04 pm
I like both! Well, I like the banquet meal because you get to enjoy so many dishes that nobody really is going to take the time to make at home — at least not in these hectic times. But I treasure a home-cooked Chinese New Year celebration because of all the love that goes into the food. It makes everything taste better and live on in your memories forever.
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