Happy Chinese New Year!

With two cousins who attended a Chinese immersion school and two Chinese friends, I decided it would be fun to make some Chinese food to celebrate Chinese New Year! The noodles are traditional for celebrating the New Year in China-symbolizing long life, and the longer the better. Although the symbolism is celebrated in China, I just love eating them! There are more foods that are traditionally eaten to celebrate the New Year, but being cheap and wanting to use what I had on hand, I decided to make some lettuce wraps with some Chinese flavors. We enjoyed our "Chinese" dinner with chopsticks, which is always a fun way to enjoy Chinese (and eat slower!). I looked at several recipes for the noodles and wraps, but sort of put my own spin on them both.

Chinese New Year Noodles (with red dragon tails-for the year of the dragon)

1 package Chinese wheat noodles, or soba noodles
2 Tbsp canola oil
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup frozen peas
1 bunch green onions, chopped
1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced (dragon tails) :)
2 carrots, one julienned, one shredded
1 cup bean sprouts
2 Tbsp soy sauce
2 Tbsp hoisin sauce
2 tsp sugar
1/4 cup chicken or vegetable stock
1 tsp chili garlic paste or Sriacha sauce, optional*adds heat

Cook noodles according to package directions. Drain and set aside. Heat oil in wok or large skillet on high. Add garlic and stir rapidly to avoid garlic burning. Quickly add veggies. Stir fry for 3-4 minutes. Combine soy sauce, hosin sauce, sugar, stock and optional chili paste in a small bowl. Whisk to combine. Add to veggies and stir to coat. Add noodles and stir fry for another 3-4 minutes. Serve immediately. Enjoy!
Asian Lettuce Wraps (Pork)

1 lb. ground pork (local if available, ours is Huelskoetter Pork Beason, IL)
*you could also use ground chicken/turkey/beef if you'd prefer
1 head Bibb or Boston lettuce leaves (about 12 leaves)
1 Tbsp oil
1 large onion, finely chopped
4 cloves garlic, minced
2 carrots, shredded
4 green onions, chopped
1 cup bean sprouts
1/4 cup hoisin sauce
3 Tbsp soy sauce
1 tsp Sriacha sauce-optional*adds heat
salt & pepper


Rinse lettuce and dry leaves with a towel. Set aside. Cook ground meat with onion in a large skillet until meat is cooked. Drain excess oil off meat and set meat aside. Stir fry veggies in same pan as meat 5 minutes. Add hoisin, soy and Sriacha sauce, stir fry a few more minutes. Add meat and stir to coat meat with sauce. Taste mixture and add salt and pepper to taste. Serve in a bowl, so each person can serve themselves by placing a spoonful in a lettuce leaf, wrap it up and enjoy!

This made a great meal, even though the flavors were similar. It was a great texture variety! Complete the meal with some mini oranges or pineapple to balance out the savory sauces of the two dishes!

Enjoy!

Emmy