When I woke up on Monday morning with no electricity, heating or hot water I thought it was a sign for the rest of the week ahead. I had a very bad feeling that if the week started on a bad foot it was only going to get worse. It turns out I was wrong. Why? Because when I realised the date I knew I was in for a week of treats.
23 January 2012 marked the start of Chinese New Year and this year they are celebrating the year of the Dragon. The next few weeks will be packed with endless celebrations full of colour, fun and amazing food. I may not be Chinese but I love to join in the celebrations and embrace the country and its cultures/traditions. What’s more, I also love the food, conveniently, so I will make sure I eat a lot of it this week.
23 January 2012 marked the start of Chinese New Year and this year they are celebrating the year of the Dragon. The next few weeks will be packed with endless celebrations full of colour, fun and amazing food. I may not be Chinese but I love to join in the celebrations and embrace the country and its cultures/traditions. What’s more, I also love the food, conveniently, so I will make sure I eat a lot of it this week.
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| Courtesy of Kittikun Atsawintarangkul / freedigitalphotos.net |
Two days later, i.e. today, it’s Burns Night. Yep, 25 January sees Scottish people around the globe celebrating the birthday of famous Scottish poet, Robert Burns. All number of Burns suppers take place on this popular day, which may be both formal and informal. Typically they include haggis, Scotch whisky (hurrah!) and the recitation of Burns’ poetry.
If that isn’t enough, 26 January marks Australia Day. Yet more reason to celebrate culture, tradition and of course food, hooray! Australia Day is the official national day ofAustralia
If that isn’t enough, 26 January marks Australia Day. Yet more reason to celebrate culture, tradition and of course food, hooray! Australia Day is the official national day of
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| Courtesy of Laura Collins |
With all these dates in the diary I thought it only right that this post embraces all three countries mentioned above and all the delicious food that comes out of them. I have therefore put together a list of some of the most loved, traditional celebratory dishes from China , Scotland and Australia
Typical dishes eaten during Chinese New Year
Typical dishes eaten during Chinese New Year
Buddha’s Delight – a lavish vegetarian dish made with a wide variety of ingredients, including arrowhead, bamboo, bean curd, black mushrooms, carrot, noodles, daylily buds, fat choy, Ginkgo nuts, Lotus seeds, Napa cabbage, Peanuts, Snow peas, tofu, water chestnuts, wheat gluten and wood ear.
Sweet and Sour Pork – This dish is popular with families hoping for a lot of grandchildren, as the Cantonese word for "sour" sounds like the word for grandchild.
Yusheng – This raw fish salad is said to bring good luck. This dish is usually eaten on the seventh day of the New Year, but may also be eaten throughout the period.
Sweet and Sour Pork – This dish is popular with families hoping for a lot of grandchildren, as the Cantonese word for "sour" sounds like the word for grandchild.
Yusheng – This raw fish salad is said to bring good luck. This dish is usually eaten on the seventh day of the New Year, but may also be eaten throughout the period.
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| Courtesy of SundayMorning / freedigitalphotos.net |
Niangao (Year cake or Chinese New Year's cake) – A cake prepared from glutinous rice. It is considered good luck to eat Niángāo during New Year because "nian gao" is a homonym for "higher year." The sticky sweet snack was believed to be an offering to the Kitchen God, with the aim that his mouth will be stuck with the cake so he can't badmouth the giver's family to the God of all Gods.
Typical dishes eaten on Burns Night
Scotch Broth – A thick soup made with carrots, turnips, onions, celery, leek, pearl barley, lamb, peas and kale.
Arbroath smokies – Smoked haddock from the town of
Haggis, neeps and tatties – put simply it’s sheep or calf's offal, swede and potatoes
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| Courtesy of FreeFoto.com |
Cranachan – This traditional Scottish pudding is made with whipped cream, whisky, honey, and fresh fruit.
Shortbread and oatcakes – Quite self explanatory really!
Shortbread and oatcakes – Quite self explanatory really!
Typical dishes eaten on Australia Day
Aussie pies – Pies filled with meat and potato which are a favourite with Australians the world over
Barbecue Prawns – Any variety of prawns go down well on Australia Day, whether they be plain, cooked in garlic or covered in Piri Piri sauce. "Slip another shrimp on the barbie."
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| Courtesy of Sura Nualpradid / freedigitalphotos.net |
Beer battered fish and chips – A delicious meal perfect for a lazy afternoon
Anzac Biscuits – A popular biscuit made with oats, desiccated coconut, lemon rind and golden syrup.
Lamingtons – These are a quintessential part of every Australian's childhood. The little sponge cake is dipped in chocolate icing and then rolled in desiccated coconut.
Anzac Biscuits – A popular biscuit made with oats, desiccated coconut, lemon rind and golden syrup.
Lamingtons – These are a quintessential part of every Australian's childhood. The little sponge cake is dipped in chocolate icing and then rolled in desiccated coconut.
YUM! So there we have it - a long list of food for a long week of celebrations. Why not wash it all down with some delicious Simply Nectar too. Now there's an idea huh?!
Simply celebrations.
Simply Nectar
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