Chinese New Year Birthday Party

Posted on January 25, 2012 by Michele Cheplic

Did you know that the seventh day of the Chinese New Year is considered “everybody’s birthday”? Today is the third day of the Lunar New Year which is a time for sons-in-laws to pay respects to their parents-in-law. In addition, families who’ve lost an immediate relative in the past three years will not be partying at other people’s homes tonight. Rather, the day is reserved for visiting cemeteries and remembering loved ones who are no longer on Earth. This tradition is practiced in China, as well as Taiwan, Vietnam, and other nations with a significant Chinese population. Here in the … Continue reading →

Homemade Chinese New Year’s Fun

Posted on January 21, 2012 by Michele Cheplic

With less than 48 hours until the official debut of the Year of the Dragon, many communities are getting a jump-start this weekend by hosting parades, festivals and firework displays. Chinese New Year is a festive holiday that celebrates family, friends and new beginnings. If you don’t live near a city that is commemorating the event with special activities, then host your own party. Gather the kids, hang up some red streamers and gold balloons, and then get busy in the kitchen whipping up some simple Chinese dishes, including: HOMEMADE FORTUNE COOKIES Ingredients: 1 egg white Dash of vanilla extract … Continue reading →

Where to Rock Chinese New Year

Posted on January 15, 2012 by Michele Cheplic

I snapped this photo a couple of years ago as my daughter got up close and personal with a dancing lion at a Chinese New Year parade that snaked its way through Hilo, Hawaii. It’s tradition for parade-goers to feed little red envelopes stuffed with crisp one dollar bills into the lion’s mouth in order to receive a bit (or hopefully, a lot) of luck in the New Year. Celebrating Chinese New Year in Hawaii is a unique experience that will stay with you for a lifetime. While the 15-day celebration culminates on January 23rd, there is no shortage of … Continue reading →

Save Money—-Make Your Own Chinese Restaurant-Style Dishes

Posted on February 20, 2009 by Michele Cheplic

I love getting Chinese take-out, especially on Friday nights. Unfortunately, with the economy (and my family budget) in flux, Chinese food has tumbled to the bottom of the priority list. The fact that it cost nearly $40 to feed a family a four (two main dishes and two sides) means I probably won’t be visiting my favorite Chinese eatery for a while. If you love Chinese food as much as I do, but you don’t have the cash to feed your habit, consider making your own. There are dozens of Chinese dishes that can be made in less than an … Continue reading →

Make Your Own Fortune Cookies

Posted on September 3, 2008 by Michele Cheplic

After reading my blog on “After School Treats” my overachiever pal shot me an email sharing her kids’ favorite back-to-school recipe. While the rest of us are proudly patting ourselves on the back for whipping up a batch of freshly baked cookies (using pre-made refrigerated cookie dough) my Martha Stewart clone of a friend spent the first day of school creating homemade Chinese Fortune Cookies—-complete with her own computer generated “fortunes”–for her kids. Sigh! Fortunately, she was kind enough to share the recipe and include some tips to go with. All you parents out there who are looking for a … Continue reading →

Classic Chinese Cooking—Marvelous Mu Shu

Posted on August 8, 2008 by Michele Cheplic

Even if you can’t make it to Beijing for the Summer Olympic Games you can still get a taste of China in your own home. Dishes, like mu shu, are extremely popular in Chinese restaurants and are not hard to replicate at home. Mu shu pork is one of the most popular Chinese recipes in the west. The dish is comprised of either deep-fried or stir-fried pork combined with fresh vegetables. Mu shu originated in northern China and was given the name as a tribute to flower blossoms from the cassia tree. But, not everyone agrees with that origin. Some … Continue reading →

Make Your Own Chinese New Year Dishes

Posted on January 31, 2008 by Michele Cheplic

Mark your calendars–this year Chinese New Year begins on February 7th. Which means you have exactly one week to finalize your party menu… or make dinner reservations at your favorite Chinese restaurant. Actually, the point of this blog is to encourage the former instead of the latter, more convenient option. I grew up in Hawaii where Chinese New Year is celebrated with huge block parties featuring massive buffet tables lined with the most delicious homemade Chinese delicacies. Growing up my favorite Chinese New Year treat was Soy Zing Dan Gow, a steamed Chinese sponge cake that is specifically made for … Continue reading →

Celebrating Chinese New Year in Hawaii

Posted on January 25, 2008 by Michele Cheplic

Maybe it’s because I was born in Hawaii. Or, perhaps, it’s because I was born in the Year of the Rat. Either way I can’t think of any place else I would rather celebrate Chinese New Year than in Honolulu. The Year of the Rat doesn’t officially start until February 7th, but the party is already underway in Honolulu’s Chinatown. The “Month in Chinatown” cultural celebration kicked off tonight. Take a look at all of the FREE events open to the public and then click on the links I’ve provided below to read more about the place where tourists and … Continue reading →

Cookies for Breakfast

Posted on December 21, 2007 by Michele Cheplic

Come on… admit it… you’ve done it once in your life… downed a few cookies during the first meal of the day. Eggs, bacon… and cookies. No? It’s not exactly the breakfast of champions, but what about bacon and eggs in your cookies? I’m not kidding. I’ve baked more cookies this month alone than I have all year and every person I’ve seen on a regular basis knows this as they have been forced to hear me lament about my kitchen failures, and likewise rejoice (and share) in my cooking successes. Last week when I was kvetching about being up … Continue reading →