Prepare for a feast as we enter the Year of the Tiger (From Thisisdorset)

Prepare for a feast as we enter the Year of the Tiger

9:30am Tuesday 9th February 2010

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THIS Sunday we’ll be roaring into the Chinese New Year, as we enter the year of the tiger.

Chinese New Year, or the Lunar New Year as it is sometimes called, is the longest and most important festivity in the Lunar Calendar, and is steeped in myth and tradition.

Regional customs vary significantly in the celebration of Chinese New Year, but like Christians do with Christmas, people spend a great deal of time and money purchasing presents, decorations, food and clothes for the celebrations.

The ritual of thoroughly cleaning the house is also widely observed.

“We clean the house to sweep away any bad luck and get it ready for the good luck coming in the New Year,” says Andy Chu, who does Chinese cookery demonstrations in Dorset and owns the Wah Hing Chinese supermarkets in Poole and Bournemouth.

As with most celebrations, Andy explains that food is a major part of the festivities.

“The whole family will gather together to have a big feast,” he says.

“There will be lots of food like roast duck, chicken, seafood, steamed fish and vegetables, finishing with Chinese sweets like rice balls in sweet soup.”

Unlike celebrations for the Gregorian New Year, Chinese New Year revelry lasts for 15 days.

On New Year’s Day families will visit their relatives and exchange gifts.

“Early in the morning children will greet their parents and elders and wish them good health,” says Andy.

“In return they will get a red packet, with money inside, from married elders in the family.

Traditionally, raw fish and salad are eaten on the seventh day of the celebrations, sweet delicacies on the ninth day and vegetarian food on day 13, in the hope that it will clean out the stomach.

If you fancy joining in the celebrations, try feasting on Andy Chu’s recipes. We'll be posting his recipe for stuffed chicken wings on Wednesday and his perfect Chinese Sticky Rice on Thursday. Click here to see all our recipes.

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