Serious Chinese New Year Eats

Chinese New Year, and the year of the pig (according to the Chinese zodiac), begins this Sunday, February 18, so at Serious Eats, we're celebrating the occasion with video and recipes tied to the holiday.

Because Chinese New Year follows the lunar calendar, it falls on a different date every year, usually between January 19 and February 23. It begins on the second new moon after the winter solstice and ends 15 days later with the Lantern Festival. According to tradition, the celebration gets under way on New Year's Eve with a family dinner hosted at the eldest family member's home; it is considered the most important annual family tradition. Family members travel from near and far to attend. A family's given menu will vary by region, but here are some of the more popular dishes and their symbolism:

- A specialty soup like Bird's Nest (youthfulness and long life) or Shark Fin (prosperity)
- A vegetarian dish, jai choy or Buddha's delight
- Poultry: whole with feet and head
- Long leafy greens like Chinese broccoli, gai lon (long life for parents)
- Whole fish or yu (sounds like abundance)
- Long-grain rice or noodles for long life

Source: www.food.yahoo.com