The new year's tradition in my family is to have traditional Filipino foods alongside a melange of fingerfoods to snack on throughout the night. The youthful pull of partying into the wee hours may have given way to family game night by the fire, but these traditional foods remain the same. They are like roots of our family tree, grounding me, centering me, and a huge part of welcoming all the possibility and change the new year has to offer. Above is the start of a dish called pancit. I'm soaking the rice noodles to soften and then I'll cook them with soy sauce, lemon juice, shrimp, pea pods, and carrots, and garnish with green onion. I'll also be making lumpia, which is the Filipino name for a spring roll. Prepping the filling and rolling these little puppies is a bit time intensive, but so worth it to bite into their crispy, golden goodness. These dishes are symbols of family and tradition and celebration for me, and the holiday wouldn't be complete without them!
Now to compliment all that tradition, I'm going to add a Blast from the Past. Does anyone remember eating this pistacio/whipped cream/crushed pineapple concoction? I learned this recipe from my dear friend, Susan, many years ago, but surely it must have originated in the 1950's when dessert salads were all the rage. Oh! It also includes mini-marshmallows! I know it sounds strange, but once you've tried it, it is a flavor combination that so light and delicious and unique that it will surely be filed away in that part of your brain where food isn't just calories and ingredients...it provides comfort and evokes memories. The very best kind of holiday food.
Now, that all the food prepping is done for tonight, I'm going to take some time and quietly think about the new year...what do I want to create? what do I want to resolve? what do I want to manifest in this new year? So many possibilities! Oh, and I have to think about my Word for the year.
What are your thoughts on the beginning of the new year?
