Chinese New Year: A Gastronomical Experience in Photos

School work has started to pile up, so I forsee that my blog entries in the next week will be fairly brief. But I wanted to make a mention of this before it slipped my mind completely.


Yes, in the thick of an Edinburgh winter, some of us gathered together on chu yi for a pseudo Chinese New Year reunion dinner!

And for some reason, I was assigned to prepare the vegetables even though I have absolutely no experience in Chinese cooking (or any cooking for that matter). But thanks to helpful, idiot-proof recipes online, I dare say the final result didn't turn out half bad.

Consulting hand-written instructions


The Bok Choy from the Aihua Chinese supermarket turning out very nice and green


The finished product - yay!

In all, it was a really delicious dinner. The steamed rice was a refreshing welcome to the rather hard grains we get in Pollock - poor, poor excuse for rice!! And of course, Chinese greens a nice balance to the fried bacon and eggs I've been accustomed to ever since arrival here. So apart from my oyster sauce veg, here's what was on the menu that night:

1. Felyna's Vegetable (or "Stone") Soup



2. Felyna's Onion Omelette

Sweet, tangy perfection. I like!

3. Iris' Tang Cu Pai Gu (vinegared pork ribs)

Apparently a Shanghainese recipe, and my absolute favourite of the night! I have to confess I gobbled up quite a few of those ribs.



4. PS's Roast Chicken

Only 2.50pounds for many chicken thighs of delight!


5. Chee May's Fish with Chilli Sauce

Red hot spicy love.

and

6. Kenneth's Brussel Sprouts



I really liked this. And coming from someone who usually hates brussel sprouts, that's a compliment.

Ended the night feeling extremely bloated, happy and nourished. Sadly, no gambling or daidee for me after the CNY meal - it was back to work, and that's exactly where I remain 3 days later. Sigh.

Well, will run now. Need to catch some sleep. In the meantime, gong xi fa cai everyone!