5 Easy-Yet-Unique Healthy Ideas To Celebrate The Chinese New Year Week

The Chinese new year to this date holds great significance. Most Chinese families do not live together due to career choices and educational opportunities. New year's day is the only time when families reunite and spend some quality time together.

Chinese new year celebrations are always spectacular and wild. People make the most out of this opportunity to load up on food and drinks. While the night is all fun and games, the next morning, most people feel bloated, gassy, and unwell.

Don't compromise on your health this Chinese New Year's Eve dinner!

Here are 5 healthy Chinese recipes you can include in your Chinese new year menu!

1. Vegetable Lo Mein

Mouthwatering noodles with healthy veggies tossed in spicy sauce, what else do you need! With few calories, high protein content, low amounts of added sugar, and vitamin-rich ingredients, this CNY dish is a great addition to your new year's menu.

Here's a Lo Mein recipe that is perfect for your Chinese new year eve dinner.

Ingredients

• 8 ounces lo mein noodles
• 1 teaspoon sesame oil (toasted)
• 2 tbsp peanut oil
• 12 ounces of Chinese broccoli
• 2 tbsp low-sodium soy sauce
• 1 tbsp Shaoxing rice wine or dry sherry
• 1 tbsp sriracha sauce or hot sauce
• 1 tbsp minced garlic
• 1 tbsp minced ginger
• 6 ounces shiitake mushrooms (fresh)
• A pinch of salt

Procedure

• Cook the noodles according to instructions on the packet
• Drain the noodles and rinse with cold water
• Cut the noodles into three parts
• Toss the noodles with sesame oil in a pan and keep aside
• Separate the stalks and leaves of the broccoli
• Wash the mushrooms and remove their stems
• Mix the soy sauce, rice wine, and sriracha sauce in a bowl
• In a wok, add 1 tbsp peanut oil and the garlic and ginger and stir fry for about 10 seconds
• Add the mushrooms and broccoli and swirl for about 30 seconds
• To this add the soy sauce mixture, noodles, and salt. Swirl for 1-2 minutes

A flavourful and tasty CNY dish is ready to serve!

2. Flavors of Tofu!

This CNY dish is guaranteed to fill your family's stomach, and at the same time improve overall health.

With ingredients like garlic, ginger, mushrooms, and tofu, this dish is packed with proteins and vitamins. Apart from boosting your immune system, this CNY dish is also beneficial for heart health.

Here's how to make this Chinese New Year Special.

Ingredients

• 2 tbsp minced garlic
• 2 cups of firm tofu
• 4 cups sliced Chinese cabbage
• 2 cups of shiitake mushrooms (stemmed)
• 2 tbsp fresh ginger (grated)
• 8 ounces of Lo Mein noodles
• 1 tbsp brown sugar
• 2 teaspoons of canola oil
• ¼ cup low-sodium soy sauce
• 2 teaspoons chile-garlic sauce
• 4 cups vegetable broth

Procedure

1. Drain and rinse the tofu.
2. Cut it into blocks (about an inch in width)
3. Heat the oil in a casserole/dutch oven over medium heat
4. To it add garlic and ginger. Stir till you get some fragrance
5. Add mushroom, and allow to cook till it is tender (2-3 minutes)
6. Add in the broth, sugar, and sauces. Allow them to boil for about 10 mins
7. To it add the tofu and cabbage, cover the lid and allow to cook
8. Increase the heat, and add the noodles. Cook till the noodles are tender (About 2-3 minutes)
9. Remember to push the noodles into the broth

A wholesome one-pot meal, packed with nutrients is ready to serve.

3. Dim sums for your Tummy

Who doesn't like dim sums!

Scrumptious little treats fill our stomachs as well as our hearts with joy. However, traditional recipes are high in sodium and calories which can jeopardize your health. So, we've drawn up a healthy Chinese dim sum recipe.

This Chinese new year recipe is filled with fibers, vitamins, and is easy on the stomach. Furthermore, diabetic people can have this preparation without hesitation since it is low on oil, carbs, and added sugars.

Ingredients

• For the dough covering
  • ½ cup plain flour
  • ½ cup wheat flour
  • 1 teaspoon oil
• For the filling
  • 1 teaspoon chopped ginger
  • 1 cup chopped cabbage
  • ½ cup chopped carrots, mushroom, and baby corn
  • ¼ cup chopped asparagus
  • ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 2 teaspoon soy sauce
  • 1 teaspoon oil

Procedure

• Procedure for filling
  • Heat the oil in a nonstick pan
  • Add all the ingredients to it and saute
  • Set aside to cool
• Procedure for the dough covering
  • Combine the flours and other ingredients to form a soft smooth dough
  • Roll the dough into a thin sheet and cut it into small circles
  • Put some filling in the center and wrap the dough accordingly
  • Put the dim sums in a greased steamer
  • Cook for 10 mins

4. Good ol' Egg Fried Rice

Egg fried rice is the go-to dish in many Asian cultures. Popular with kids and adults alike, this dish is a worthy inclusion in your Chinese new year's menu.

Here's a healthy version of the traditional Chinese recipe for you to try out

Ingredients

• 4 eggs
• 3 tbsp peanut oil
• 1 teaspoon
• 1 cup diced onions
• 2 cups diced vegetables (bell peppers, carrots, zucchini, green beans)
• ½ cup sliced spring onions (green part and white part must be separated)
• 4 cups jasmine rice (cooked overnight)
• 2 tbsp soy sauce
• Salt and pepper to taste

Procedure

• Beat the eggs in a small bowl
• In a hot pan, add the eggs and scramble them
• In another wok, heat the remaining oil and toss in the vegetables
• Cook for ~2 minutes and add in the rice and soy sauce

A healthy and tasty dish is ready to serve!

5. Fruit salad with custard

End the new year celebrations on a sweet note. Replace those traditional Chinese dishes that are high in calories with this healthy alternative.

Ingredients

• 2 tbsp vanilla custard (available in the supermarket)
• 4 cups skimmed milk
• 1 cup of cut fresh fruits (apple, bananas, berries like blueberries, raspberries, strawberries)
• 2 tbsp sugar

Procedure

• Boil the milk and add 2 tbsp sugar
• In ½ cup room temperature milk add 2 tbsp custard powder
• Add this to the boiling milk on low heat with stirring
• Allow cooling to room temperature
• Refrigerate for 3 hours
• Add the fruits

This dessert is low on calories due to the use of skimmed milk and is rich in antioxidants and fibers because of the added fruits. A dessert that is good for the tongue as well as your overall health.

We hope that you include these healthy recipes in your new year's day feast. Have a happy and healthy Chinese New Year!