Chinese New Year Recipe- Tray of Togetherness

TRAY OF TOGETHERNESS Throughout the Chinese New Year season, it is customary to offer guests an assortment of treats from a Tray of Togetherness called chuen-hop – a circular or octagonal shaped tray filled with an assortment of symbolic foods to provide a sweet beginning to the New Year. While it is possible to find togetherness trays made of expensive wood such as teak, inexpensive versions made of plastic are readily available in Asian grocery stores throughout the New Year season. The tray has eight compartments, as the Chinese consider the number eight to be extremely lucky. These trays traditionally offer sugared fruit and vegetables, including winter melon, coconut, lotus seed, lotus root, water chestnut, carrot and tangerine. And what a great idea to get kids to try new fruits and veggies! Assemble a Tray of Togetherness with plenty of fresh and dried fruits, assorted nuts and cheeses, crisp fresh carrots, celery and broccoli and for a really sweet burst of color, steam some beautiful red beets and cut them into small cubes for easy munching. Toss in some fortune cookies and enjoy A Chinese new years tradition any time of the year!

For even more family fun, pass out a set of chopsticks to everyone and have them use their chopsticks to sample all of the goodies in the Tray of Togetherness. Check-out our clever chopsticks http://kidscookingshop.com/clothes-pin-chopstick-set

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Chinese New Year Kids Recipe-Long Life Noodles

The long life noodles dish is as symbolic for the Chinese New Year as birthday cakes are for birthday celebrations in the United States. Unlike Americans, many Chinese do not celebrate individual birthdays but instead, everyone turns a year older and celebrates on New Years.  The trick is to follow the ancient Chinese custom by not breaking the noodles as you eat. We promise lots of laughter and hopefully not too much of a mess!

LONG LIFE NOODLES

INGREDIENTS

1 package (8 ounces) soba noodles

1 tablespoon canola oil

2 tablespoons dark sesame oil

2 cups thinly sliced red bell pepper

1/4 cup minced fresh ginger

1 clove garlic, minced

3 cups sliced assorted summer squash

3 tablespoons tamari

1 1/2 cups chicken or vegetable broth

2 teaspoons rice vinegar

2 cups snow peas

1/2 cup shredded carrots

1 tablespoon minced cilantro

2 green onions, thinly sliced

LET’S START MAKING NOODLES!

1. Prepare soba noodles according to package directions. Drain, cover, and keep warm in a pot.

2. Heat canola oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Toss in peppers, ginger, and garlic. Cook for 2 minutes.

3. Stir in squash, tamari, broth, and rice vinegar. Sauté 3 minutes and toss in snow peas, carrots, cilantro, and onions. Cook another 2 to 3 minutes. Toss with sesame oil.

4. Scoop the warm noodles equally onto plates in small round nests and top with stir-fried vegetables. This dish is good served warm or at room temperature.

To eat your Chinese Long Life Noodles in authentic style, take a look at our cool chopsticks for kids http://kidscookingshop.com/chopstick-kidsr-set-2and  beautiful  enameled rice bowls which work equally as well for noodles. http://kidscookingshop.com/nice-rice-bowl

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