5 Chinese New Year Recipes You Can Make on a Busy Weeknight

Chinese New Year, also known as the Spring Festival, is a time of joy, tradition, and delicious food. It's a time to gather with family and friends, share good fortune, and indulge in a feast of symbolic dishes that bring prosperity and happiness. If you're planning to celebrate Chinese New Year at home, consider adding some traditional Chinese dishes to your menu. Here are a couple of quick and easy recipes to get you started.

Stir-Fried Noodles with Vegetables

Ingredients you'll need:

• 8 oz Chinese egg noodles
• 2 tbsp vegetable oil
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 cup shredded cabbage
• 1 carrot, julienned
• 1 bell pepper, thinly sliced
• 2 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tbsp oyster sauce (vegetarian oyster sauce for a meat-free version)
• 1 tsp sesame oil
• 1 green onion, chopped (for garnish)

Recipe:

1. Cook the noodles according to package instructions, then drain and set aside.
2. Heat vegetable oil in a large wok or skillet over medium-high heat.
3. Add minced garlic and stir-fry for 30 seconds until fragrant.
4. Add shredded cabbage, julienned carrot, and sliced bell pepper. Stir-fry for 2-3 minutes until vegetables are slightly tender.
5. Add the cooked noodles to the wok, along with soy sauce, oyster sauce, and sesame oil. Toss everything together until well combined and heated through.
6. Garnish with chopped green onions and serve hot.

Sweet and Sour Chicken

Ingredients you'll need:

• 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1/2 cup cornstarch
• 2 eggs, beaten
• Vegetable oil for frying
• 1 bell pepper, cut into chunks
• 1 cup pineapple chunks (fresh or canned)
• 1/2 cup sweet and sour sauce

Recipe:

1. Season chicken pieces with salt and pepper.
2. Dredge chicken in cornstarch, then dip into beaten eggs, ensuring each piece is coated.
3. Heat vegetable oil in a wok or deep skillet over medium-high heat.
4. Fry the chicken until golden brown and cooked through. Remove and set aside on a paper towel-lined plate. e. In the same pan, stir-fry bell pepper until slightly tender.
5. Add pineapple chunks and sweet and sour sauce to the pan. Stir to combine. g. Return the fried chicken to the pan and toss everything together until the chicken is evenly coated with the sauce.
6. Serve the sweet and sour chicken over steamed rice.

Sesame Ginger Shrimp Stir-Fry

Ingredients you'll need:

• 1 lb shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 2 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tbsp oyster sauce
• 1 tbsp honey
• 1 tbsp sesame oil
• 1 tbsp vegetable oil
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tbsp ginger, grated
• 2 cups broccoli florets
• 1 red bell pepper, sliced
• Sesame seeds for garnish

Recipe:

1. In a bowl, mix soy sauce, oyster sauce, honey, and sesame oil. Set aside.
2. Heat vegetable oil in a wok or skillet over medium-high heat.
3. Add minced garlic and grated ginger, stir-frying for 30 seconds.
4. Add shrimp and cook until they start to turn pink.
5. Add broccoli and red bell pepper, stir-frying for an additional 3-4 minutes until vegetables are crisp-tender.
6. Pour the sauce over the shrimp and vegetables, tossing to coat.
7. Garnish with sesame seeds and serve over rice.

Vegetarian Spring Rolls

Ingredients you'll need:

• 8 spring roll wrappers
• 2 cups shredded cabbage
• 1 cup shredded carrots
• 1 cup bean sprouts
• 1/4 cup chopped green onions
• 2 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tbsp sesame oil
• 1 tbsp hoisin sauce
• 1 tsp grated ginger
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• Vegetable oil for frying

Recipe:

1. In a bowl, mix shredded cabbage, carrots, bean sprouts, and green onions.
2. In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce, sesame oil, hoisin sauce, grated ginger, and minced garlic.
3. Place a spring roll wrapper on a flat surface. Spoon a portion of the vegetable mixture onto the wrapper, then drizzle with the sauce.
4. Fold in the sides of the wrapper and roll it up tightly.
5. Heat vegetable oil in a pan over medium-high heat.
6. Fry the spring rolls until golden brown on all sides.
7. Drain on paper towels and serve with dipping sauce.

Garlic and Ginger Bok Choy

Ingredients you'll need:

• 1 lb baby bok choy, halved
• 2 tbsp vegetable oil
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tbsp ginger, grated
• 2 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tsp sesame oil
• 1 tsp rice vinegar
• 1 tsp honey
• Sesame seeds for garnish

Recipe:

1. Heat vegetable oil in a large pan over medium heat.
2. Add minced garlic and grated ginger, sautéing for 30 seconds until fragrant.
3. Add bok choy to the pan, tossing to coat in the garlic and ginger.
4. In a small bowl, mix soy sauce, sesame oil, rice vinegar, and honey. Pour over the bok choy.
5. Cook for 5-7 minutes until bok choy is tender-crisp.
6. Garnish with sesame seeds and serve as a side dish.

Turn These Recipes into a Team Building Experience

Our expert chefs will guide your team in crafting delicious Chinese New Year dishes like Vegetarian Lo Mein and Sweet and Sour Chicken. Plus, we can take care of delivering the ingredients to all of your guests ahead of time. Our classes are a relaxed and enjoyable way to bond with colleagues, share laughs, and celebrate the spirit of Chinese New Year together. No pressure – just good food and great company. Get started here.

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