The Reunion Dinner...

On the eve of the Chinese New Year,

the family will dine together..

and this is one of my favorites  as
my in laws will whip up special dishes
savoured only during this festive season. 

From the left, sweet and sour succulent prawns, roasted pork,

braised mushrooms with dried oysters, steamed chicken, lotus root soup,

braised abalone and fried fish.

Each of these dishes have special names bearing good wishes

for the New Year..

Take for example,

the fried fish and the abalone dish.

In Mandarin, fish is called "Yu" and the abalone is "Pao Yu" which means "abundance". 

Fried fish and braised abalone

and even dessert is made in the shape of a fish

Jelly

and what about these  steamed cakes?
when translated into Cantonese it means
"prosperity"

and not forgetting the orange which means "gold"

and here's another version of the steamed cake with oranges..

I'll leave you with some photos taken this morning..

 pussy willows

the night jasmine (in white) one of my favorite scented flowers


Well, we've had a most enjoyable dinner, catching up with the family..

Time for sleepies and preparation for tomorrow...

Here's wishing you prosperity, harmony, good health
and a year of abundance!!


be back tomorrow...
steph