Hence, let me introduce to you all some foodies that we can have during the New Year eve. During the New Year Eve, it is very important for all the family members to get together to have this reunion dinner. We ought to have chicken, fish, abalone or shark fin if available. I will explain in detail on what is the food means. Foodies that so-called cheap stuff, like Tofu or egg is No-No on the table…
As for myself, I had 2 reunion dinners within 2 days.
On 24-Jan, we have reunion dinner with my mum, sis, Fong, my Uncle, Bro and also my little Ceejay. We decided for mum to call it an off day, hence we have book a table at Red Rock Hotel. Situated at the center of the town, Red Rock, used to be Agora Hotel, the restaurant was just inside the hotel itself.
It was chock-a-block with people as most of them were like us, lazy to prepare and clean up the mess….*hahahhaha*
The first signature dish was this Yu Sang. Yu Sang is a colorful dish where we only can eat during CNY, and that’s why is so precious…as for me–la *grin*. It is combination of some multi-colored potted turnips, shredded cucumber, jellyfish in shreds and pickles and of course the sesame seeds and some crushed peanuts. Next, was the crunchy thingy made of flour to augment the flavor of the dish. It was never done without garnishing some salmon, freshly sliced in thin. I saw the waitress was busy marinate the salmon with some pepper and some five spices flour. Then, she poured over the plum sauce evenly to the Yu Sang.
Yu Sang plays a wealthy role for Chinese. Chinese believed that eating Yu Sang, it will definitely bring lots of good luck and wealth within. The higher you tossed the dish, the more luck you will have then!!Next was my other favorite dish, the Four Season. Four Season is a combination of 4 dishes served as the entrée before the main menu. If Western food had this salad as starters, we Chinese have this Four Season then. This dish very depends on the creativity of the chef himself. As for this round, we shall start from right (clock wise). The golden ball was actually some deep fried Wantan skin stuffed with chopped vege, minced prawn and pork. Next, was this seafood ball, where the a piece of prawn was laid on top of the fish paste, and the baby octopus was stuffed in the between and embellished with some crystal clear gravy. Then, was this Deep Fried Baby Bird Nest. It was made of yam stuffed of some chopped chicken bits and vege. Lastly, was this Stir Fried Prawn in black pepper. YumYum!!
Here comes another signature dish. Shark fin soup. As I get to know, you will need to prepare the weighty chicken stock. In order to get the ‘good’ soup base, you will need lots of chicken leg and large chicken as well, stewed for 6-8hours. You may add others ingredients like the dried scallop, crab meat, fish maw. Once it was about to serve, then only you add on the shark fin as we do not want to over cook the shark fin. Lastly, thicken the soup by adding a touch of smoothness by adding corn starch and also an egg. Now you know why this is my favorite dish?? *hahaha* 
Now here comes the Chicken, a must-have dish during New Year. In those older days, Chinese were very poor and they barely eat chicken. Hence, during those big days like Chinese New Year, serving the chicken is a necessity. For this round, we have tried this Almond chicken. The most mesmerizing about this dish was the chicken meats were aloof thoroughly and left the skin behind. Then they smashed the chicken meat with some fish paste and then it was stuffed back to the thin layer of the skin. Sprinkled with almond, then this dish was deep fried again. Served together with some sweet sauce as the dipping sauce and some steamed Mantao, this dish really good. 
Prawn in Chinse means ‘Har’. ‘Har’ in Chinese means laughter. By having this dish, we hope that we to have a great laugh all year long. This is my sis favorite dish. Deep fried prawn with Nestum. First, the prawn was deep fried. To prepare the garnishing, you will need egg and lots of Nestum. A hearty dish with enormous taste!!Coming up next was this Green Broccoli with stewed Mushroom. As a base, they arranged some home made tofu. Hmmm… I wonder why are they using this Tofu as the dish?? I thought I was told that Tofu is not allowed on the table?? Whatever, as long as the dish is good!!
Fish was another must-have dish on the table during reunion dinner. Fish also known as ‘Yu’, ‘Yu’ means wealth in Chinese. How can we Chinese neglect such an important phrase in our dinner as most Chinese wants to ‘Fatt’ (means prosperity) *hahaha*And here we have, Steamed Cod Fish. I found that this dish itself quite oily.
Now here comes my mum’s favorites, Lap Mei Fan, Preserved Meat with Rice. During the old days, Chinese likes to conserve all sorts of meats and vegetables to keep for the winter. Hence, during Chinese New Year, this dish is a must as well. This fragrant rice was cooked with the preserved meat. I found that the rice were a bit overcook as it was somewhat hard. I still prefer Lotus Leaf Rice….. *grin* 
To complete our reunion dinner, we have the Red Bean Soup and some Chinese pancake. The red bean was blended finely upon cooked in order to create a soft texture. As for the Chinese pancake, it was the brittle pastry with some smashed lotus seed inside.
Now you have had knew the usual dishes that we should have during new year, let us skip to another home made reunion dinner for Hokkien.Hokkien’s favorite dish were Curry Chicken, Stir Fried Mengkuang…..*hahhahaha* (if you are local…you sure knew what is this…sorry for those who do not understand, me and my friend have tried to search high and low… still we can’t find what is it called in English. Let me know if you happen to know what it is called *grin*)
Here’s the table of dishes…Wow….
First, was the soup. It was called Pig’ belly soup. My mother-in-law used 2 large old chickens as the soup base. Next, the pig’s belly was washed thoroughly and grilled in the Wok without any oil. To discard the smells within, lots of garlic and ginger were stuffed beneath before grilled. Next, put the belly in whole into the pot as to avoid it melts easily. You will need to puts loads of peppercorns as well as some gingko nuts.You will fall into this gradually….just like I did *hahah*
Next was this Vegetables ala Lo Han, cooked by me *heheheehe* during the 1st day of the New year, Chinese will normally opt for Vege as they believed that if those younger generation if chose to be Vegetarian on that day, it will bring health to the elders in the family. I have used lots of vegetables like Chinese cabbage, broccoli, mushroom, French bean, carrot, taupok, (a similar like Tofu, but this Taupok is more crunchy), Tang hoonand etc. The special of this dish was, I am using the Preserved Yam, where we called it Nam Yu, which will relish the dish for sure.
My master piece *hahaha*Next, was this Siu Har Har (which means laughed happily) steamed prawn with ginger and leek. As explained earlier, this dish is a must-have dish during reunion.
Then, we have this Popia roll. According to my mother-in-law, this dish means to have a full pocket of money. First, you will need popia skin top with some sweet and spicy sauce. Next, put some stewed Mengkuang (ya…mengkuang again) and garnished with some sliced egg and crab meats and here you go the yumyum dish!!
This dish itself was called Hao Si Sung, which means Good things. In Chinese, Hao Si actually is referring to Dried Oyster. You will need loads of carrot cubes, water chestnut cubes, BBQ meat cubes, oyster cubes, mushroom cubes and cubes of prawn as well.This crunchy thingy taste even better with some fresh lettuce!!
Hokkiens believe as well to serve Fried Noodles during New Year. Noodle is believed to bring the longevity in the house as well. Here you are some Fried Yellow noodles.
Another signature dish for Hokkien, the Stir Fried Mengkuang. Made from shredded Mengkuang, mushroom, meat, carrot as well as cabbage. Nice!! 
Not forgotten also the Steamed Fish.
And guess what we have for dessert?? Some Konyaku Jelly with fruits, self-made by me as well….. *grin* 
Take a good look then…Here’s some information for you for those who do not have any idea about what was our signature dish during reunion…
Hope that helps…
Stay tuned as I will prepare 5 course dinners for my loved ones. *grin*
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