Comments on: How to Plan a Chinese New Year Reunion Dinner

By: Wes Radez

Wes Radez — Tue, 05 Feb 2019 19:31:06 +0000

In reply to Monica. I'm really happy to hear that, Monica. Welcome! ~Wes

By: Monica

Monica — Tue, 05 Feb 2019 19:27:05 +0000

Hi Wes,

I am just grateful for this post. It helps me on my journey this year of celebrating a great chinese new year! Very helpful, looking forward to subscribing to your site! I’ve already saved numerous recipes and insights to my pintrest.

By: Jennifer

Jennifer — Tue, 15 Jan 2019 22:31:36 +0000

In reply to Wes Radez. Thanks, Wes, many of those are on the menu. :) That helps to know we have flexibility!

By: Wes Radez

Wes Radez — Mon, 14 Jan 2019 22:02:57 +0000

In reply to Jennifer. Hi Jennifer, what a fun event! Given the real challenge you describe, I've seen both approaches — everything at once and dishes served in courses. The goal, at the end of the day, is for the food to be hot and tasty. The key, I think, is to combine dishes that can be prepared in advance with dishes where you do the prep in advance, then cook immediately before serving. Good cook in advance dishes would be Roast Pork, Lion's Head Meatballs and White Cut or Soy Sauce Chicken. Good prep in advance dishes would be Pork Dumplings, Steamed Fish, Gailan with Crab Meat Sauce and Yangzhou Fried Rice. The latter dishes all require at most 15 minutes of actual cook time. You can find all the recipes on the site. Also, don't stress about a long meal! You can take breaks between courses and bring people into the kitchen while a particular dish finishes up. You'll do great. Good luck! ~Wes

By: Jennifer

Jennifer — Sat, 12 Jan 2019 17:43:17 +0000

Hi, Wes, are the dishes served at different times in courses? Or all at once on the table? We have adopted three older children from China and are trying to represent their culture appropriately for them, but they didn’t celebrate when they lived there either as they didn’t have family so they can’t instruct us. This is our second annual family CNY and we had so much fun last year – they will thrilled! Trying to improve the food and expecting 20+ people, so I’m trying to figure out how to make as many things as possible ahead or if I can cook in courses (although I don’t want to miss the fun cooking all the time either)? I have a large steamer and wok, but it’s still a struggle to get that much food out warm at the same time. Thanks!

By: Wes Radez

Wes Radez — Thu, 15 Feb 2018 16:01:16 +0000

In reply to Willow. Hi Willow, it sounds like you have a very close relationship with these friends. The gesture of giving a red envelope is wonderful and, in this case, I wouldn't worry about the amount. Instead, I might think of other ways to communicate the importance of the relationship to them — a personal visit after New Year, a gift of fruit or an invitation to your home. At this time of year, all would let them know how much they mean to you. ~Wes

By: Willow

Willow — Thu, 15 Feb 2018 05:36:48 +0000

There are 2 elderly Chinese sisters who helped care for my elderly parents. They have been really great to my husband and I as well. We don’t have a lot of money. Would a $20 red envelope be a suitable give for them? They mean so much more, I don’t want it to be an insult.