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1. Eat fish. The word for fish sounds like abundance, so Chinese people love eating fish on Chinese New Year Eve and Chinese New Year Day because it means that the whole year will be filled with abundance.
2. Eat dumplings because dumplings kind of sort of look like gold ingots, so if you eat dumplings you’ll be rich!
3. Eat noodles because they represent long life.
4. Make sure there are some oranges in your house (both for eating and displaying). The word for orange in Chinese sounds like gold, so it’s kind of like leaving gold lying around so you’ll be extra rich in the new year.
5. Bask in your ultra-rich and plentiful luck in the New Year.

Bonus: If you’re really, really interested in the Year of the Monkey being extra plentiful, make sure you buy and cook two whole fish. Eat one fish on Chinese New Year’s eve but make sure you leave the head and tail intact. The other fish should be left whole and untouched. Place both in the fridge and then the next day, eat the extra fish for dinner, this insures that your year will be full of abundance.

Wishing you guys the happiest Year of the Monkey!

Steamed Whole Fish with Spaghetti
serves 2
prep time: 5 minutes
cook time: 15 minutes
total time: 20 minutes

If you’re looking for a lucky fish dish, then definitely make this with whole fish. Otherwise, If you’re steaming filets they won’t take as long to cook, depending on the thickness of your filet. For filets 1 inch and thicker steam for about 10 minutes. For thinner filets, check at 7 minutes. If the fish flakes, it’s cooked. I prefer tilapia, but any white fish will work as well.

• 1 fresh, whole, cleaned tilapia (about 1 pound)*
• 1 small knob of ginger, thinly julienned, plus extra to garnish
• 3 stalks green onion, thinly julienned, plus extra to garnish
• 1 small handful roughly chopped cilantro, plus extra to garnish
• 1 tablespoon neutral oil
• 2 tablespoons sweet soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil
• 4 ounces spaghetti
• 2 cloves garlic, sliced
• 2 tablespoons sweet soy sauce

Place your steamer rack inside your wok. Add enough water to come to the base of the steamer, about 2 inches. Do not let the water come above the steamer rack. Cover the wok and bring to a boil. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil for the spaghetti.

While your water is coming to a boil, prepare your fish. Make sure all of the scales are removed and use a pair of scissors to trim off the fins, leaving the head and tail intact. Cut three slits on each side of the fish. Lay the fish down in a shallow dish large enough so that the fish is entirely in the dish. Top with the half of the ginger, green onion, and cilantro.

Once the water has come to a boil it’s time to steam your fish. Wipe down the condensation that has built up on the inside of the cover. Place your dish on the steamer rack and cover. Turn the heat down to medium and steam for 8-12 minutes.

While the fish is steaming, cook the spaghetti according to the package. After it is cooked drain well. Heat up a touch of oil in a pan and lightly cook the slice garlic. Add the spaghetti and soy sauce and toss well. Set aside.

Check to see if your fish is cooked by poking the fish near the top fin. If it flakes, the fish is cooked. The flakes should be opaque down to the bone, but the bone should be slightly transparent still. Carefully pour off any of the cooking liquid that’s accumulated and place the remaining green onions and cilantro on top.

Heat up the oil, with the remaining ginger, in a small saucepan until hot and shimmery. Carefully pour over the fish, green onions and cilantro. Drizzle on the sweet soy sauce and toasted sesame oil.

Debone the fish: Use a spoon or butter knife and gently separate the meat from the back bone. Carefully lift it off and gently set aside. One the top filet is removed, it should be easy to lift the bone off in one piece. Take the remaining bottom filet and set aside. Pour the sauce over the spaghetti and toss. Taste and season with extra soy and toasted sesame oil if desired. Top with the fish filets and extra herbs. Enjoy!

fishgingergreen onionssoyspaghettitilapia