Our Favourite Food To Eat This Chinese New Year

By Ciara McDonnell

As Chinese New Year approaches, we realize that Irish Chinese takeaways are somewhat… lacking in the authenticity department. While we believe in the transformative powers of a 3-in-one, we’ve recently become aware that (now this may shock you) chicken balls cannot be found in actual China. WE KNOW. It blew our minds.

We love to cook Chinese food. Last year, we went through a hand-held food explosion, when we mostly cooked Asian Lettuce Cups and Hoisin Pork Wraps. We believe wholeheartedly in the healing property of the noodle, and threw ourselves headfirst into some hardcore noodle eating in order to come up with some killer recipes. This “research” resulted in Singapore Noodles and Honey Soy Chicken Noodles. We went looking for a way to make Chilli Beef healthier and came up trumps with this recipe and then couldn’t stop, so we tried it with Sweet & Sour Chicken.

This year is the Chinese year of the Monkey. The cornerstone of the Monkey is innovation, and we have decided to challenge our palates. We have found ten properly authentic dishes that are famous in China, and that we would like to eat every single day. Until we have mastered the art of hand-rolling noodles, we’ll be keeping our Asian cooking at home nice and simple though, so if you want to knock up something quick, delicious and way tastier than a spice bag, then check out some of our favorites here.

Hainanese Chicken Rice

Chicken poached in a heavily spiced broth and served with fragrant rice and and a heap of yummy sides – what’s not to love about this? I have been searching for a decent restaurant version for years, but the brilliant people at The Woks Of Life have a fabulous recipe, so check it out.

Potstickers

If you are going to bother making dumplings, make these guys. Half steamed, half fried and served with a salty sweet dipping sauce… well you know the rest. Send this recipe from Damn Delicious to your local Chinese, or better yet – whip up a version yourself.

 

Crispy Orange Peel Beef

I had never heard of this until I stumbled upon it on The Owl With The Goblet and all I can say is, I can’t sleep because I am thinking about eating this. ALL THE TIME.

 

Singapore Chilli Crab

Annielicious Food may make it look easy, but I am going to leave it to the experts to feed me Singapore Chilli Crab. It is one of my missions in life to eat this dish – all kinds of yum reside in the bowl besides the holy trinity of Sweet, Spicy and Salty. It is a rollercoaster of flavour.

Steamed Barbeque Pork Buns

Soft, pillowy buns wrapped around char siu pork – I mean what could be better than this?! I predict a huge amount of eateries getting on the steamed bun train during 2016, but if you can’t wait that long, get yourself to The Woks Of Life and check out their recipe.