Gung Hoy Fat Choy

Also known as Chinese New Year and the Spring Festival, Lunar New Year is a two week celebration that begins on the first day of the first month of the Lunar calendar (typically in late January/mid-February) and ends on the full moon 15 days later. It celebrates the family, the earth coming back to life and the start of a new beginning and possibilities. Regarded as a major holiday in Asia, Lunar New Year is celebrated internationally in China, Japan, Korea, Vietnam, Malaysia, Singapore and in Asian communities all around the world.

Preparations for Lunar New Year start during the last few days of the last moon. Houses are thoroughly cleaned, debts repaid, hair cut and new clothes bought. Doors are decorated with vertical scrolls of characters on red paper whose texts seek good luck and praise nature. During the two-week Lunar New Year period, numerous ancient traditions are observed, ranging from flower giving to the preparation of special foods. Perhaps the most popular Lunar New Year customs in the West are lion dances and firecrackers (to ward off evil spirits) and the giving of "lucky money" in colorful red envelopes.

A new 12 year cycle begins with the Year of the Rat, Chinese New Year 4706. Thursday brings the new moon and the start of the year 4706 will be at exactly 3:44 UT. Noted for having the best intellects and powers of observation those born in the Year of the Rat demonstrate exceptional perception and prudence. Always capable of seeing the "Big Picture" makes those with Rat nature good bosses capable of working in fluid situations that require creativity.

Legend has it that in ancient times, Buddha asked all the animals to meet him on Chinese New Year. Twelve came, and Buddha named a year after each one. He announced that the people born in each animal's year would have some of that animal's personality. Those born in rat years tend to be leaders, pioneers, and conquerors. They are charming, passionate, charismatic, practical and hardworking. Gwyneth Paltrow, Ben Affleck, Samuel L. Jackson, William Shakespeare, and Mozart were all born in the year of the rat.

Buddha's Delight (Jai) is traditionally served on the first day of the Chinese New Year, both to help cleanse out the body and to honor a Buddhist tradition that nothing living should be killed on the first day of the New Year.



Buddha's Delight

tablespoons low sodium soy sauce
1 tablespoon dark sesame oil
1 tablespoon rice vinegar
1 teaspoon sugar
1 (14 ounce) package water-packed extra firm tofu, drained and cut into 1-inch cubes
5 cups small broccoli florets
1 1/2 cups carrots (1/4-inch diagonally sliced)
1/2 cup peeled chopped broccoli stems
2 tablespoons canola oil
1 1/2 cups sliced green onions
1 tablespoon grated peeled fresh ginger
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 cup snow peas, trimmed
1 (14 ounce) can whole baby corn, drained
1 (8 ounce) can sliced water chestnuts, drained
1/2 cup vegetable broth
1 tablespoon cornstarch
1/2 teaspoon salt
4 cups hot cooked brown rice

Combine first 5 ingredients, tossing to coat.
Cover and marinate in refrigerator 1 hour.
Drain in a colander over a bowl, reserving marinade.
Cook broccoli florets, carrot, and broccoli stems in boiling water 1 1/2 minutes.
Drain these vegetables.
Plunge into ice water.
Drain.
Heat canola oil in a wok or large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat.
Add tofu.
Stir-fry 5 minutes or until lightly browned on all sides.
Stir in onions, ginger, and garlic.
Stir-fry 30 seconds.
Stir in broccoli mixture, snow peas, corn, and water chestnuts.
Stir-fry 1 minute.
Combine broth and cornstarch, stirring with a whisk.
Add cornstarch mixture, reserved marinade, and salt to pan.
Bring to a boil.
Cook 2 1/2 minutes or until slightly thick, stirring constantly.
Serve over brown rice.