Eggrolls are must when we celebrate Chinese New Year. Ever since Gandalf was a baby we have been celebrating the Lunar New Year. I love teaching my children the traditions from all over the world. My hope is that as we strive to learn and celebrate different cultures my children will become more compassionate and tolerant of others. I really love Chinese New Year. And not just because of the food, although they do have some great food. I love the idea of celebrating a new year. I love how everyone cleans their house and gets haircuts and gathers as a family to celebrate the new year. They visit neighbors and bring oranges. Dragon Dances and lanterns help set the mood for a festive good time. It’s truly beautiful to see others share their talents and preform such impressive feats.
And I have to remind myself that it’s okay if I am running behind and don’t have the house clean before the New Year. My husband reminds me that we don’t really believe our fortune will be swept away if we sweep on New Years. But it sure is nice to have things cleaned and prepped so you can enjoy this time with family.
And our family loves to gather to enjoy delicious Chinese Food. I can’t remember when I started making my own eggrolls, but I love making them. And I love when I can prepare them with my sons. Draco, my normal kitchen companion, wasn’t feeling well when I made them. Gandalf came home from school and literally cheered when he saw I made my eggroll recipe. I am sure your family will love them too!
Our family loves to decorate our table for our special family dinner the night of Chinese New Years. Red paper lanterns are my favorite go to for this holiday. And I thought I would add some of our own paper lanterns this year. I have been meaning to make these for years, but February is such a busy month. They are super easy and perfect for little fingers learning to cut lines.
Simple fold some red construction paper in half horizontally. I used a ruler and pencils to draw lines, 2 inches apart, on your folded end. Leave a couple of inches from the top. Then cut, or have your child cut on the lines. Open up your paper and staple your ends together to form a cylinder. I then cut black rectangles to make a strap which I also stapled on the top.
Hang them up around your house and enjoy. It’s super easy and they make the place look for festive. Someday I would like to have lanterns all over my table. I’m building my supply slow and steady. You may recognize the tassels from Georgiana’s birthday party. I love re-using décor! And I was able to make a “Gung Hay Fat Choy” banner with my Silhouette. I love whipping up easy, reusable décor. Check out this tip if you are making a banner! As I was decorating my daughter asked who’s birthday it was. She is still learning that I love to celebrate the little holidays and traditions that bring our family closer. My kids are so excited to eat a special dinner next week! Click on the social media buttons to follow on Instagram to see more pictures of our holidays. I have the cutest dress for Georgiana to wear!!!
For dinner we will have Sweet ‘n Sour Chicken (A family favorite!), eggrolls, fried rice, and stir fry vegetables. We also love reading books such as The Empty Pot and D is for Dragon Dance. Fortune cookies are a must! And we always take time to learn about the animal of the year. My kids love learning about the animal of the year they were born. I love the pride they feel as they talk about how cool their animal is.
Another fun tradition they love is getting red envelopes! What kids doesn’t love getting money in an envelope? I hope they pass on these fun little traditions to their kids. And if perhaps they serve a mission some where they celebrate Lunar New Years they will share their love for this holiday.
Here are some photos to help you roll your eggrolls. Have a little bowl with water in it near by. Dip your fingers in the water and use that to seal the egg rolls together.
I hope you love the eggrolls! What is your favorite thing to do on Chinese New Years? Share it in the comments below. And we sure to tag me on Instagram if you make these eggrolls! I love sharing traditions!!!
Gung Hay Fat Choy!!!
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- 4 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 1-inch grated fresh ginger
- 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
- 2 scallions, sliced thinly
- 1 carrot, cut into 1-inch julienne strips
- 1 small red pepper, cut into 1-inch julienne strips
- 1 cup Napa cabbage, shredded
- 1/4 cup chicken broth
- 2 tablespoons reduced-sodium soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 1 to 2 tablespoons sesame oil
- 20 wonton wrappers covered loosely with a damp paper towel to prevent drying
- I chicken breast cooked, then grounded in a food processor
- 1/3 cup lite soy sauce
- 1/3 cup rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 to 2 teaspoons sesame oil
- In a wok or skillet, stir-fry the ginger and garlic in 2 tablespoons of oil until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add scallions, carrots, and red pepper and stir-fry over high heat for 2 minutes.
- In a bowl, combine the chicken broth, soy sauce, and sugar. Add the Napa cabbage and broth mixture. Bring to a boil and simmer 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are soft. Add sesame oil, cool for at least 15 minutes, and strain. Fold in chicken.
- Fill and roll the egg roll wrappers, using 1 tablespoon of filling for each roll. Working with 1 wonton wrapper at a time, place the wrapper with one corner of the diamond closest to you. Place 1 teaspoon of the filling in the center of the wrapper. Roll the corner closest to you over the filling. Brush the top corner with water. Fold in the sides of the wonton and continue rolling the egg roll up until it is closed. Press to seal, set aside, and continue with the remaining ingredients.Make sure to roll them tightly.
- In a skillet set over moderately high heat, heat the remaining oil and saute the egg rolls until golden brown on all sides, using tongs to turn them. Serve when cool enough to eat, with dipping sauce.
- Our family loves to make these for Chinese New Years. Little hands are perfect to help roll these egg rolls.
