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We started a new tradition in our family and it was soooo fun! Since it’s Chinese New Year we thought it would be fun to learn more about China and to use it as an opportunity to give the kids a great experience. Now that we’ve had one family cultural night we want to do more and want to encourage you all to do the same.
Thank goodness for all the information on the world wide web. I studied and did some research about the basics of Chinese culture. I found some good information at China Family Adventure. Reading about another country is great, but to actually create an experience and see the fun our family was having was amazing.
I found some fun Chinese toys for the kids. Chinese finger traps and paper yo yo’s did the trick. They loved them.
We also learned about the Chinese Zodiac.
In the Chinese culture it is customary for the elders to give the young children and grandchildren money in red envelopes. The envelopes symbolize happiness and is given to wish their children good luck. We gave these out and the kids were thrilled.
We talked about the geography of China, their dress, their look, and their language.
The best part was the food!
Here are our recipes.
Ham Fried Rice
2016-02-08 23:48:08
Serves 6
Delicious and filling fried rice is a meal of it's own.
Prep Time
20 min
Cook Time
30 min
Total Time
50 min
Ingredients
- 2 Tbl. Oil
- 1 1/2 Cups Frozen Peas
- 1 1/2 Cups Frozen Corn
- 3 Carrots, thinly sliced
- 6 Green Onions, sliced
- 4 Cups Cooked Rice
- 1 Pound of Ham, diced
- 1/4 Cup Soy Sauce
- 1 Pkg. Fried Rice Seasoning
- 5 Eggs, scrambled
Instructions
- Heat oil in a wok to medium heat and add the vegetables. Cover and heat through until the vegetables are crisp tender.
- Add the rice and ham. Mix well.
- Sprinkle in the fried rice seasoning mix and the soy sauce.
- Add the scrambled eggs. Continue mixing and heat through.
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Orange Chicken
2016-02-09 00:12:28
Serves 6
A favorite and delicious meal.
Prep Time
20 min
Cook Time
30 min
Total Time
50 min
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 lbs. Boneless and Skinless Chicken Breast, cut into 1 inch cubes
- 1 1/2 Cups Cornstarch
- 2 Eggs, beaten
- 1 Tbl. Water, added to eggs
- 1 Cup Oil
- Marinade
- 1 Cup Chicken Broth
- 1/2 Cup Orange Juice
- 1/2 Cup Sugar
- 1/3 Cup Rice Vinegar
- 1/4 Cup Soy Sauce
- 2 Garlic Cloves, minced
- 1 Tbl. Orange Zest
- 1 tsp. Sriracha
- 1/4 tsp. Fresh Ginger
- 1/4 tsp. Pepper
- Sauce
- 1/3 Marinade Mix
- 2 Tbl. Corn Starch
- 2 Tbl. Water
Instructions
- Combine marinade mixture and pour 2/3 of it into a bowl or zip lock bag.
- Add the cut chicken and marinate for 30 minutes.
- Add the remaining marinade into a sauce pan and heat to lightly boiling.
- Combine 2 Tbl. corn starch and 2 Tbl. water together and add to boiling marinade.
- Wisk until it thickens and remove from heat. This is the dipping sauce.
- Heat the oil in a wok to 375 degrees.
- Once the chicken has marinated add one piece at a time into the egg mixture and then into the cornstarch until well coated.
- Add several pieces into the hot oil and fry until they are golden brown.
- Remove with a slotted spoon and place on paper towels to drain.
- Serve with the orange sauce.
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Cream Cheese Wontons
2016-02-09 00:32:37
Serves 4
So easy and yummy.
Prep Time
5 min
Cook Time
15 min
Total Time
20 min
Ingredients
- 8 oz. Cream Cheese, softened
- 1 Tbl. Sugar
- 1 Tbl. Grated Onion
- 1 Cup Oil
- 1 Egg
- 2 Tbl. Water
- Wonton Wrappers
Instructions
- Combine cream cheese, onion, and sugar.
- Heat oil in a wok to 375 degrees
- Beat egg and water together.
- Add one tsp. of filling to the center of a wrapper.
- Wet the edges of the wrapper with the egg mixture.
- Bring opposite corners of the wrapper together in the middle and press. Bring the opposite corners together and press.
- Add to the hot oil and fry until golden brown.
- Drain onto paper towels.
- Serve with a sweet and sour sauce.
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Mongolian Beef and Broccoli
2016-02-09 00:47:17
Serves 4
The gravy is so delicious and easy to make.
Prep Time
15 min
Cook Time
20 min
Total Time
35 min
Ingredients
- 1 lb. Flank Steak, sliced thinly
- 1/2 Cup Oil
- 1/4 Cup Corn Starch
- 1/2 tsp. Fresh Ginger, grated
- 1 Tbl. Minced Garlic
- 1/2 Cup Soy Sauce
- 1/2 Cup Water
- 2/3 Cup Brown Sugar
- 2 Cups Fresh Broccoli, cut into bite sized pieces.
Instructions
- Dust the steak with the corn starch and let sit for 10 minutes
- Heat 2 Tbl. oil in a fry pan or wok to medium low heat.
- Add ginger and garlic and saute for 2 minutes
- Add soy sauce, water, and brown sugar. Mix well. Heat to boiling on medium heat and boil for three minutes. Remove sauce from the pan.
- Add to the pan the remaining oil and brown the steak on both sides.
- Add the sauce back to the pan and add the fresh broccoli.
- Cover and simmer for 5 minutes.
- Serve over rice.
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Chinese Chicken Skewers
2016-02-09 00:59:00
Serves 12
Prep Time
20 min
Cook Time
30 min
Total Time
50 min
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 lbs. Boneless Chicken, sliced into 1 inch pieces
- 12 Bamboo Skewers
- 2 Tbl. Oil
- Marinade
- 3 Tbl. Sauce
- 1 tsp. Vanilla
- 2 tsp. Sriracha Sauce
- 1 tsp. Sesame Oil
- 1 tsp. Sugar
- 2 Garlic Cloves, minced
- 1 tsp. Fresh Ginger, grated
Instructions
- Combine marinade ingredients and add the chicken pieces.
- Marinate for 30 minutes.
- Soak skewers in water for 30 minutes.
- Thread the chicken onto the skewers.
- Heat oil in a fry pan large enough for the chicken skewers to medium high heat.
- Add the chicken skewers into the hot pan and cook for 5 minutes on each side until golden brown.
- Serve hot.
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Vegetable Stir Fry
2016-02-09 01:09:57
Serves 8
A nice side dish to your other Chinese dishes.
Prep Time
15 min
Cook Time
10 min
Total Time
25 min
Ingredients
- Sauce
- 1/2 Cup Corn Starch
- 1/2 tsp. Tobasco Sauce
- 1/2 Cup Packed Brown Sugar
- 1 tsp. Ground Ginger
- 1/2 Cup Soy Sauce
- 2 Cloves of Garlic, minced
- 1/4 Cup Rice Vinegar
- 2 Cups Chicken Broth
- 2 tsp. Vanilla
- 1/3 Cup Water
- 1 Large Onion cut into 1/2 inch wedges
- 2 Small Zucchini, cut in strips
- 3 Shredded Carrots
- 2 Cups Bok Choy or Cabbage, chopped
- 1 Large Green Pepper, cut into 1/2 squares
Instructions
- Combine sauce ingredients together in a quart sized jar.
- Shake well or stir until ingredients are dissolved.
- Can be stored in fridge for 2 weeks. Shake before using.
- Combine vegetables together in a wok.
- Top with 2 cups of the sauce.
- Bring to medium heat and then simmer for 10 minutes stirring occasionally.
- Sauce will thicken.
- Serve over rice or noodles.
polkadotpoplars.com https://www.polkadotpoplars.com/
Easy Chow Mein
2016-02-09 01:14:05
Serves 10
A nice alternative to rice.
Prep Time
5 min
Cook Time
20 min
Total Time
25 min
Ingredients
- 16 oz. Thin Spaghetti Noodles
- 2 Quarts Boiling Water
- 2 Cups Stir Fry Sauce (See recipe above)
- 1/2 Cup Soy Sauce
- 5 Green Onions, sliced
Instructions
- Boil the noodles until soft. Drain.
- Mix in the stir fry sauce, soy sauce, and onions.
- Serve hot.
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About Dru
What a fun idea! I bet my kids would love it if we did this at our house. I can’t wait to try your Mongolian Beef and Broccoli recipe!
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Exploring the intersection of food and Chinese culture unveils a rich tapestry of traditions and flavors. Research summary writing service offers a concise yet comprehensive glimpse into this fascinating realm, distilling centuries of culinary heritage into digestible insights. From iconic dishes to dining etiquette, these summaries serve as a gateway to understanding the deep-rooted connections between food and Chinese cultural identity.
What an incredible way to celebrate and learn about Chinese culture as a family. The array of activities and authentic recipes you have shared here is truly inspiring. Can not wait to try some of these out with my own family.
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Do you ever have nights when you can’t sleep, so you get up and head to the fridge, hoping to find something quick to eat before finally going back to bed? That’s been happening to me a lot lately.
If it’s related to stress and heavy emotions, you should probably stop solving it with food and see a specialist. But sometimes, I just can’t sleep, and I’ll suggest to my girlfriend that we have some tea and a snack. Lately, we always have some treats and delicacies like chorizo from Gourmet https://www.gourmetfoodstore.com/wagyu-beef-and-specialty-meats/chorizo-0996 at home. There’s nothing better than heading to the kitchen at night and enjoying something delicious while having cozy conversations.