Lunar New Year in the House!
Celebrate the year of the Water Rabbit with Mooncakes and Milk Bread by Kristina Cho
When the "new year" rolls around, I'm still dealing with residual energy from the previous year; it never feels like a new beginning. It's part of the reason I celebrate the Lunar New Year. (This year, it falls on January 22nd.) By celebrate, I mean, I treat it like a regular day but get more focused on my goals.
But, if y'all feel like dropping red envelopes to ya girl, make it rain baby! *red envelopes are filled with money and given out but it's not all about the money. The envelope s are for good luck and to ward off evil spirits*
One of the cookbooks I enjoy reading and cooking from during this time is Mooncakes and Milk Bread by Kristina Cho. She's a Cleveland girl, so she had me at hello. (I lived in Ohio during high school so it has a special place in my heart.)
She shares a recipe for Fa Gao, steamed cupcakes. Her version, prepared by her grandmother, uses Bisquick mix and no icing. These cakes are sometimes called prosperity cakes. The higher the cake blooms, the more prosperous you will be in the new year.
As a Southern gal, using premixes has always been a thing. The point is to make something yummy but do it quick. People think this is lazy but we should strive to work smarter, not harder.
Another staple during Lunar New Year are dumplings. Who doesn't love a good dumpling in some broth or fried up to the perfect crispness. I can feel the juices dripping down my face as I type.
Kristina does a good job of showing us how to fold and make different types of dumplings, as well as explaining the different starches used and how they play into the dumpling texture.
I've always had a difficult time with breads, dumplings, you know, finicky things that depend on water temp and humidity. I suppose baking desserts is the same way but it's something about those starches that mess me up.
In this year of the water rabbit, I hope you find
Peace in the journey and in the kitchen.
Gentleness with yourself and others.
Prosperity in things most important to you.
I've been finding more joy in the small moments, especially with cooking. The Lunar New Year is all about celebrating new beginnings and preparing for more joy through food and love.
This new year, grab Mooncakes and Milk Bread, and create a feast worthy of the celebration of life.
Until next time,
Xoxo~Christilisa
Extra! Extra!
I said last year y'all would get a free trial for Scribd, so here you go. Y'all get to enjoy 60 days of free books and audiobooks, including Mooncakes and Milk Bread by Kristina Cho.
I think y'all will really like it.
It costs less than the price of a paperback, but if you sign up with my link you'll get your first 60 days free:
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I'm not an affiliate or anything, I just like the service. ☺️