I am back in action after a long hiatus. I took a short break from blogging as i was with my family in India..This trip was was a memorable one as i got a chance to meet some amazing bloggers. We are back with a heavy heart but tons of good memories. Now I am looking forward to next public holiday here. This week I am sharing a lip smacking Steamed Eggplant recipe perfect for the upcoming Chinese New Year.
What is Chinese New Year?
Image Source:Google
Chinese New Year or the Spring Festival or Lunar New Year is celebrated every year according to the traditional Chinese Calendar. This year it falls on January 25th.In the Chinese astrology, each year is represented by an animal. This is the year of the Metal Rat, which is predicted to be a lucky year. The Rat has the first position in the zodiac. The Rat is a representation of diligence, kindness, and generosity. This is celebrated for 15 days . Lantern festival celebrated with night lantern displays, ends 15 days on the full moon.Check out which Zodiac animal you represent and learn more about this Festival here. Well I represent Dragon. “Dragon babies” are considered to be lucky and have desirable characteristics that supposedly lead to better life outcomes . These 12 Chinese Zodiac animals and their characteristics makes an interesting read.
What is the Tradition followed during this period?
Day 1 – January 25, 2020 The first day of the Metal Rat lunar New Year . The gods of heaven and earth are welcomed and meat is avoided to promote longevity and happiness
On Day 2 : Prayers are sent to the gods and ancestors.
Day 3&4 Son-in-laws pay respect to their bride’s parents.
Day 5 : Named Po Woo, this day is spent at home to welcome the God of Wealth. It is bad luck to visit anyone on this day.
Days 6-10 : The Chinese are now free to visit their loved ones, and pray for good fortune in the temples.
Day 7: The birthday of all humans celebrated with a drink made by the farmers from seven types of vegetable. Raw fish is eaten to promote success, and noodles for longevity.
Day 8: Prayers are sent at midnight from the Fujian people, to Tian Gong, the God of Heaven.
Day 9: Offerings are made to the jade Emperor.
Days 10 to 12: Invites are sent to friends and relatives, to visit for dinner.
On Day 13: Simple foods are eaten so as to detox after rich foods eaten at friends and relatives house.
Day 14: Time is taken for preparation for the Lantern Festival celebration on the 15th night.
Day 15: Jai, a vegetarian dish is enjoyed by the family.(Source)
what is Foodie Monday BlogHop Theme?
This week I suggested the theme for 230th #Foodiemonday #Bloghop theme #ChineseNewYear. Do check out some amazing recipes from my fellow bloggers to celebrate Lunar New Year.
Recipe for Steamed Eggplants (Chinese Style)
Ingredients:
2 Medium Size Eggplants (Chinese or Japanese Variety)
1/4 Tsp Sesame Oil
1 Scallion / Green Onion finely chopped
1/2 Tsp Sesame seeds
1 Tsp Minced Ginger
2 Tbsp Chilli Oil (I have used store bought and it is mildly spicy)
1 Bird’s eye chilli (Optional)
2 Tsp Soya Sauce (I have used dark soya sauce)
Salt to Taste
1 Tbsp Sesame Paste
1/2 Tsp Sugar
1 Tsp finely Chopped Green Pepper
3 Garlic Cloves Minced
1 Tbsp Fermented Black Beans (I have used store bought)
Method:
Wash and clean the eggplants. Cut them into quarters lengthwise. Steam the eggplants using a steamer for about 10 minutes or until soft. I have steamed them in my rice cooker using a metal steamer. Transfer them on to a bowl.
Heat a wide bottom pan with sesame oil on high heat .Now add fresh ginger and sesame seeds.After 10-15 seconds pour the chilli oil, sesame paste,salt , soya sauce and sugar.Mix well untill combined. The mixture begins to simmer. Next step is to add minced garlic, green peppers,black beans and half of the chopped scallions.Lastly add bird’s eye chilli. You may skip this if you don’t like it to be too spicy.
Pour this Sauce on the Steamed eggplant and serve hot. This is one of the vegetarian dish served as a side, appetizer or even as a complete meal with Rice on Chinese New year.
I love this eggplant recipe. It is a regular dish at my place now.
May this year of Rat bless us all!!!!!!!!!!!!
GONG XI FA CAI!!!!!!!!!!!!
Loved reading about the traditions followed during Chinese New Year. The steamed eggplant in Chinese style sounds absolutely delectable. Bookmarking the recipe to try out soon.
Oh wow! Loved your detailed write-up about the Chinese New Year. Very interesting!
The Chinese-style steamed eggplants look absolutely delicious. This is a very new dish to me, and surely sounds lovely. Would love to try this out some time. 🙂
I love eggplant though no one else in family quite like it.. You dish in Chinese flavors sounds absolutely delectable and a must try for me..I love the chilli bits on top, must have added a punch to the dish!!
Wow steamed eggplant looks very tasty Preethi ji, I loved your final pic. The way steamed eggplant coated with sauce, sesame seed nd green onions it’s yummy.
Steamed egg plant sounds very delicious and tempting. Specially your close up pic. I would love to have this bowl as is. Loved to read about the tradition.
Wow wow wow! your detailed write-up about the Chinese New Year is very informative and interesting! The Chinese-style steamed eggplants looks yummy. This weekend surely gonna try this recipe. Hope my family would love it. Thanks for sharing!
love that you went into detail about all the traditions of Chinese New Year. I love celebrating Chinese New Year and try to go to the parade we have here in NYC every year whenever I can.
WoW I just loved your detailed recipe of steamed eggplant.At my home everyone loves eggplant, I’ll try it & I am sure everyone loved it. This looks really tempting and delicious!
this is totally a new dish to me preethi, those eggplants look tempting! Steamed and sauce poured over, an interesting recipe, would love to try this one soon!
Loved reading about the traditions followed during Chinese New Year. The steamed eggplant in Chinese style sounds absolutely delectable. Bookmarking the recipe to try out soon.
It looks really good
Oh wow! Loved your detailed write-up about the Chinese New Year. Very interesting!
The Chinese-style steamed eggplants look absolutely delicious. This is a very new dish to me, and surely sounds lovely. Would love to try this out some time. 🙂
Interesting write up Preethi. Loved reading. Steamed eggplant in Chinese sauce sounds mouthwatering. Never tasted yet. Loved the recipe.
I love eggplant though no one else in family quite like it.. You dish in Chinese flavors sounds absolutely delectable and a must try for me..I love the chilli bits on top, must have added a punch to the dish!!
Wow steamed eggplant looks very tasty Preethi ji, I loved your final pic. The way steamed eggplant coated with sauce, sesame seed nd green onions it’s yummy.
Steamed egg plant sounds very delicious and tempting. Specially your close up pic. I would love to have this bowl as is. Loved to read about the tradition.
Such a informative post about chinese new year. steamed egg plant looks so delicious and tempting. Bookmarking to try it sometime
Wow wow wow! your detailed write-up about the Chinese New Year is very informative and interesting! The Chinese-style steamed eggplants looks yummy. This weekend surely gonna try this recipe. Hope my family would love it. Thanks for sharing!
Thank you Mary. Hope you and your family will
Love it . Do share your feedback whenever you try.
The eggplant looks great. I have never tasted this dish. I will make it sometime soon. Looks very healthy.
Chinese style steamed eggplant looks very tempting. Love to pair it with Chinese fried rice, yummy .
I like how the eggplants are steamed in this dish, the combination of spices and I am crazy about the fermented beans! Great share!
love that you went into detail about all the traditions of Chinese New Year. I love celebrating Chinese New Year and try to go to the parade we have here in NYC every year whenever I can.
This eggplant in chinese style is new to me, I wish I could taste this now. Good to know about the Chinese New Year.
WoW I just loved your detailed recipe of steamed eggplant.At my home everyone loves eggplant, I’ll try it & I am sure everyone loved it. This looks really tempting and delicious!
this is totally a new dish to me preethi, those eggplants look tempting! Steamed and sauce poured over, an interesting recipe, would love to try this one soon!
WOW !!! love these steamed egg plant 🙂 It sounds very delicious and tempting di. Lovely write up also about Chinese new year here !