The Chinese New Year celebration was the biggest holiday in my family. We’d pay the traditional homage to our ancestors by burning incense at the small family altar that stood at one end of the living room. My job was to rub honey or sugar water over the kitchen god poster on the kitchen wall so he could report only sweet and good things to the Jade Emperor in heaven. Then the New Year’s food preparation would begin.
At the New Year table, certain foods were always served because they symbolise particular good and noteworthy aspirations. Fish, which represents abundance and good fortune, was essential. Chicken, a symbol of fortune, was served because what good are abundance and good fortune without the time to enjoy them? My mother, being a good and faithful Buddhist, always served apples, symbolic of peace, which is what she wished for us and the world.
CHEF KEN HOM
chinese new year menu.
My mum’s steamed chicken with Chinese sausage
SERVES 4-6 AS PART OF A SHARING MENU.
HANDS-ON TIME 10 MIN, STEAMING TIME
25 MIN, PLUS MARINATING
Chicken, a symbol of fortune, was at the centre of our Chinese New Year dinner. My mum simply steamed it with my favourite, Chinese sausages.
MAKE AHEAD
Marinate the chicken up to 1 day ahead, then keep covered and chilled.
KNOW HOW
Buy Chinese air-dried pork sausage (often sold as lap cheong or lachang) at waiyee hong.com or Chinese supermarkets. If you can’t find it, omit it.
450g free-range skinless boneless chicken thighs, cut into bite-size pieces
• 1 tbsp light soy sauce
• 1½ tbsp shaoxing rice wine or dry sherry
• 1 tsp sugar