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Welcome the dynamic and fast-paced Year of the Red Fire Monkey with symbolic food to bring good fortune for this Chinese New Year. You probably enjoy some of these foods in your favorite everyday dishes, such as chicken, which is served for prosperity or rebirth; spring rolls for the beginning of spring; vegetable dishes for cleansing the body; noodles for long life; and red bell peppers for good luck and prosperity.
JOIN THE CELEBRATIONS
The Chinese Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii is sponsoring these festivities to mark the Year of the Monkey. Call 533-3181 or visit chinesechamber.com.
» Chinatown Open House (6 to 9 p.m. Friday): The streets of Chinatown will be shut down as some 10 lions dance through the area amid a constant stream of firecrackers.
» Chinese New Year celebration (5 to 10 p.m. Friday and 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday): The Chinatown Cultural Plaza, at 100 N. Beretania St., will be party central with food booths, lion dances and continuous performances.
Enjoy this week’s recipes compliments of Eddie Flores Jr., president of the Chinese Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii and president of L&L Hawaiian Barbecue.
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Chinese Black Bean Chicken
>> 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
>> 1 teaspoon sesame oil
>> 4 tablespoons Chinese black bean paste
>> 1 head garlic, peeled and halved
>> 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken, chopped into small pieces
>> 1/2 green bell pepper, chopped into small pieces
>> 1/2 red bell pepper, chopped into small pieces
>> 2 teaspoons dried chili pepper flakes
>> 2 teaspoons vinegar
>> 1 tablespoon low-sodium soy sauce
>> Salt, to taste
Heat wok with vegetable oil on medium heat. When wok is hot, add sesame oil. Stir in black beans and garlic. Add chicken and stir-fry until cooked. Add green and red bell pepper and stir-fry. Add remaining seasonings and cook 3 to 5 minutes. Serves 4.
Approximate nutritional information, per serving (based on 4-3/4-cup servings and not including salt to taste): 290 calories, 14 g fat, 1.5 g saturated fat, 75 mg cholesterol, 400 mg sodium, 11 g carbohydrate, 1 g fiber, 1 g sugar, 31 g protein
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Chinese Chicken Salad
>> 1 head lettuce, shredded
>> 2 to 3 stalks green onion, diced
>> 2 to 3 cups slivered celery
>> 3 large chicken breasts, cooked and shredded
>> 2 bunches Chinese parsley, chopped
>> 1/2 cup peanuts, chopped
>> 6 ounces wonton chips
Dressing:
>> 1/4 cup sugar
>> 1/3 cup vinegar
>> 1/4 teaspoon sesame oil
>> 1/2 cup vegetable oil
>> 1 teaspoon Hawaiian salt
>> 1/2 teaspoon pepper
Combine dressing ingredients in glass jar. Set aside.
In large bowl, combine lettuce, green onion, celery, shredded chicken and Chinese parsley. Pour dressing over salad and toss gently. Garnish with peanuts and wonton chips. Serves 6.
Approximate nutritional information, per serving: 730 calories, 43 g fat, 6 g saturated fat, 75 mg cholesterol, 700 mg sodium, 53 g carbohydrate, 8 g fiber, 14 g sugar, 36 g protein
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Vegetable Spring Rolls
>> 2 cloves garlic, crushed
>> 1/2 cup onion, sliced
>> 1/4 cup carrots, julienned
>> 2 (10-ounce) packages bean sprouts
>> 1/2 cup finely chopped green onion
>> 1 teaspoon salt
>> 1/4 teaspoon pepper
>> 1/4 cup water
>> 2 tablespoons flour
>> 40 spring roll wrappers
>> Vegetable oil for frying
In saute pan, cook garlic and onion 1 minute. Add vegetables and seasonings; cook another 2 minutes. Place in large bowl to cool.
Make paste by combing water with flour.
Place 2 to 3 tablespoons filling on a wrapper. Fold one edge over fillings and roll. Fold and seal edges with paste. Heat oil in frying pan; fry spring rolls until golden brown on both sides. Drain on paper towels. Serves 8.
Approximate nutritional information, per serving: 250 calories, 12 g fat, 1.5 g saturated fat, 5 mg cholesterol, 550 mg sodium, 31 g carbohydrate, 2 g fiber, 4 g sugar, 6 g protein
More Hawaiian Electric Co. recipes are available at hawaiianelectric.com.
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