celebrate chinese new year: chinese pearl balls and salt & pepper shrimp

The most important holiday on the Chinese calendar, Chinese New Year kicked off last Sunday. It lasts for 15 days and is a time of tradition, celebration and good luck foods. Noodles bring longevity, and dumplings bring good fortune because they resemble the gold currency during the Ming Dynasty.

For an at-home celebration of the Chinese New Year, or to simply spice up a typical dinner routine or teach your children about cuisine from different cultures, the fun folks at The Classic Catering People have sent over a few recipes to try. Let us know how they turn out!

Chinese Pearl Balls (Steamed Pork Balls in Glutinous Rice)

A Chinese New Year Appetizer

Ingredients

• 3/4 cup glutinous rice (also known as sticky rice)
• 1 pound ground pork
• 1 large green onion, minced
• 2 water chestnuts, finely chopped
• 1 large egg white
• 1 tablespoon light soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon sherry
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon cornstarch
• Black pepper to taste

Instructions

Soak glutinous rice overnight. Mix pork and all other ingredients in a mixing bowl. Roll pork ball mixture into half ounce sized balls. Drain rice well and spread evenly on a sheet pan. Immediately roll the pork balls lightly in the rice until they are completely covered. After all pork balls have been rolled, prepare to steam them in a perforated steam pan, or bamboo steamer and wok. Steam pork balls for about 25 minutes. Serve with a light ginger soy sauce for dipping.

Note: For an added flair, mix in black mushrooms, baby corn, snow pea pods or any other Asian vegetable.

Salt and Pepper Shrimp

A Cantonese Dish

Ingredients

• 1 pound medium shrimp (shell on)
• 2-3 tablespoons cornstarch
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 3/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper or szechuan
• Peppercorns
• 4 cups oil for deep frying
• Red and green peppers or scallions, diced (for garnish)

Instructions

Soak shrimp in warm water with salt for about 5 minutes. Rinse shrimp in cold water and pat dry. Lightly coat shrimp in cornstarch. Deep fry the shrimp for approximately one minute (depending on size) until shrimp are a bright orange. Remove from oil and lightly toss in salt and peppercorns mixture. Garnish shrimp with some diced red and green peppers or diced scallions and serve.

Photo Credit: Ashley Boarman and The Classic Catering People

Author Description

heather

Heather is editor-in-chief of (cool) progeny. When not scouting the best in everything kid and family, you'll probably find her running The Weisse Group or adventuring around town with her daughter (the Bug) and husband. Can be won over with a good glass of wine or something homemade. Addicted to Pinterest. Only pretends to know what she's doing with her SLR, even though she's got a fantastic lens on it. Thankful it does most of the work for her.