happy chinese new year!

Some fun Chinese food symbolism:

A whole chicken, including head and feet (It symbolizes a proper beginning and end to the year.)

Clams or scallops (Their shape is similar to ancient Chinese coins.)

Any dish featuring lettuce (The word for lettuce, saang choy, sounds like the word for "growing good fortunes.")

Lobster (It represents life and energy.)

Rice (It symbolizes well-being and good fortune.)

Spring rolls (Their shape is reminiscent of ancient Chinese money, which would represent wealth for the coming year.)

Dumplings (Also shaped like ancient Chinese coins. Some families choose to cook dumplings late at night, through the midnight hour to symbolize bringing prosperity and luck into the new year. )

Fish with its head and tail intact ('Fish' in Chinese is yu, which sounds like the word for wish. Also fish swim in pairs, so it represents marital bliss. The fish is served as the last course, and not all of it is eaten so there are leftovers to eat on New Year's Day. By doing this, families bring prosperity of the previous year into the new year.) 

This gives us some good ideas for dinner this week!