by Phyllis
Louise Harris
February 2014
Happy New Year
of the Horse! According to Chinese legend the year ahead will be filled with
adventure, progress and activity. Sounds good to me!!
While the
Chinese New Year 4712 started January 31, traditionally the holiday continues
for 23 days so there is plenty of time to celebrate. Chinese food expert Katie
Chin tells us how on her website www.thesweetandsourchronicles.com.
She starts with Long Life Noodles with Chicken to ensure longevity. Then she
follows with Whole Steamed Fish with Ginger and Scallions for a year filled
with abundance. Next she serves Firecracker Shrimp for good luck and she
includes recipes for these dishes to cook at home. Essentially eating anything
red, or yellow or round, or long noodles or whole fish or chicken will help ensure
a really good year ahead. Better yet, go to your favorite Chinese restaurant to
enjoy their special New Year menu or create a good luck menu of your own. By
the way, lobster (whose shell turns red when it is cooked) is a traditional
good luck dish, so do enjoy!
For more than 30
years I have written about the joys of the Chinese New Year and the deliciously
traditional ways to celebrate it. But,
this year I did something different….I went on a picnic!
Each year in
February I am so tired of the snow, cold and ice that I “escape” to the
tropical climate at Bachman’s floral and garden store at 6010 Lyndale Avenue
South in Minneapolis. Here among the red and yellow tulips, the aromatic
hydrangeas, the bright yellow daffodils, and the lush green plants I can enjoy
selections from Patrick’s Bakery and Café at a patio table in the wonderfully
warm, sun-filled greenhouse. What a joy! There is not a flake of snow in sight
and I can dine without my coat. While there is also not a single Asian flavor
on the menu, I can select “lucky” foods from Patrick’s array of quiche’s,
sandwiches, salads, cookies, and wide selection of heavenly pastries. I can
always find something yellow or red or round or whole in this array.
Bachman’s first
opened in 1885 selling potatoes, lettuce, onions and squash grown on their land
that now houses the Bachman operation. They did not start growing flowers until
1914 and today Bachman’s is one of the largest floral and nursery operations in
the country. So it is probably fitting that they have started holding annual
winter farmers’ markets. This year the Kingfield and Fulton Winter Farmers
Markets will be held on Saturdays, February 22 and March 22 from 9 a.m. to 2
p.m. at the Lyndale greenhouse. Shop for locally grown and produced cheeses,
meats, prepared foods, canned goods, crafts and fresh produce from 30 local
vendors. For anyone missing a weekly trip to the farmers’ market this winter,
this will help tide you over until spring.
Author Beth
Dooley will also be at the February 22 market selling and signing her book
“Minnesota’s Bounty,” a guide to shopping and cooking food from local farmers’
markets. And on March 22, “The Minnesota Farmers Market Cookbook” will be
featured with cooking demonstrations by Tricia Cornell. Both book events will be held from 10 – 11
a.m.
Start the Year
of the Horse off right! Celebrate with good dining, new activities and
adventure. Gung Hay Fat Choy! May you have the best of years.
______________________________________
Read more about Asian food in Minnesota and try more than 160 recipes in Asian Flavors: Changing the Tastes of Minnesota since 1875, now in bookstores and on amazon.com.
Watch the EMMY® award
winning “Asian Flavors” television show based on the book on tpt MN. Check
local TV listings for broadcast times or view the show streaming online at:
http://www.mnvideovault.org/mvvPlayer/customPlaylist2.php?id=24552&select_index=0&popup=yes#0
http://www.mnvideovault.org/mvvPlayer/customPlaylist2.php?id=24552&select_index=0&popup=yes#0
