The Lunar New Year is a busy time for new brides as they prepare to celebrate the holiday with their in-laws for the first time. It can be a daunting task to navigate the traditions and customs of their new family.
From cleaning and decorating the house to shopping for groceries, preparing ancestral offerings, and planning the holiday menu, there’s a lot to think about. And, most importantly, how can they prepare delicious meals that will impress their in-laws and suit their tastes? In this article, we will share some useful cooking tips to help you succeed in your new role as a bride.
“Pocket” some handy cooking tips for the new bride
1. Boil a beautiful sacrificial chicken
A boiled chicken is a must-have on the ancestral altar during the Lunar New Year in Vietnam. To make sure your chicken looks and tastes great, here’s a tip: Add 2-3 grilled shallots and a teaspoon of salt to the boiling water. After boiling, soak the chicken in ice water for about 5 minutes, then pat it dry and brush it with a layer of fat. You can use chicken fat for this.
2. Thawing food quickly
During the holidays, it’s common to stock up on frozen meat, fish, and bones. But what if you forget to thaw them before cooking? You can use your microwave to quickly defrost food. If you don’t have a microwave, soak the frozen item in cold water with a crushed knob of ginger to keep the meat a fresh red color.
3. Soaking wood ear and shiitake mushrooms to soften them quickly
Wood ear and shiitake mushrooms are commonly used in New Year dishes like spring rolls, glass noodles, and meat jelly. To preserve them, they are often dried, but this means they need to be soaked before use. To speed up this process, use warm water and salt. Put the mushrooms in a large bowl, add warm water and a teaspoon of salt, cover, and shake gently. Soak for 5 minutes, then rinse 1-2 times. The salt helps to remove impurities and disinfect the mushrooms.
Method: Warm water + salt
4. Soaking glass noodles to make them soft, tasty, and chewy
– Prepare a large bowl and add a small spoonful of salt and a spoonful of white vinegar.
– Pour in warm water to cover the noodles. Stir with chopsticks, then soak the noodles for about 5 minutes.
5. Frying spring rolls to crispy perfection: Fry them twice
For the first fry, heat oil in a non-stick pan over low heat. Once the oil is hot, fry the spring rolls until they are lightly cooked, then remove them and drain the oil. For the second fry, heat new oil in the pan and fry the spring rolls until they are golden. This two-step process ensures a beautiful golden color and delicious crispness.
For extra crispness, add lemon juice
Squeeze some lemon juice into the oil before heating it up. This will not only make the spring rolls crispier but also protect you from hot oil splatters. A safe and convenient trick!
By An Nhien – Vietnamnet
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