Chinese New Year Women’s Happy Hours
All pretty ladies. Which one is MaryMoh???
How cool it is to be able to celebrate New Year for 15 days! That is what Chinese New Year is. It’s a great time of get-together, food and merry-making. It’s a time of building relationships, especially among family members and friends and making new friends through all the visitation and parties.
My family has been eating a lot of awesome food this Chinese New Year and having lots of fun together as a family and also with friends. There’s still one more week of celebration to go. This whole celebration will end on the 15th day of the Chinese New Year, called ‘Chap Goh Mei‘. We had an amazing Chinese New Eve with friends but the other day we had an all Chinese New Year Women’s Happy Hours when all our men were at work. We had lots of food and fun. I think there is more fun when no man is around…haha. We always seem to make our men jealous…haha.
Yee Sang, the famous Chinese New Year salad
I was greatly delighted to eat ‘yee sang‘ again. Awwww….that Chinese New Year salad is the best in the world for me! The whole plate actually ended up right in front of me! I could just eat that alone. It was absolutely delicious. I have to learn how to make that. Then I can eat everyday. It’s such a healthy dish too. Now, it looks like I’m going to celebrate Chinese New Year everyday…haha.
Fun in tossing the yee sang
Now, I think the ladies were better in tossing the yee sang. We were able to toss it much higher than the men during Chinese New Year Eve…haha.
Interesting and fascinating. Ooops....wrong way to hold the chopsticks!
Well, here are just some of the most delicious food that we shared that day.
Chinese carp made from jelly
My friend made the Chinese carp from jelly again. It looked real! It is different from the ones that she made during our Chinese New Year Eve Family Happy Hours.The fish is a symbol of prosperity and abundance, similar to the ‘yee sang’.
Chinese New Year sticky rice pudding
We also had the Chinese New Year sticky rice pudding called ‘Nian Gao’ made by a lovely Thai friend. This is also a must during Chinese New Year. Someone joked that we make this to offer to mother-in-laws so that when they eat, it sticks all over their mouths and they will nag less…haha. Anyone need that?
Thai tom yum seafood soup
It was snowing heavily that morning and being served tom yum seafood soup was just totally welcoming and warming. It was very, very delicious. The flavour and taste was fabulous. This dish was cooked by another lovely Thai friend.
Desserts
A beautiful array of desserts to end the meal with coffee or tea.
Some international food
These are very delicious international food. Clockwise from bottom left are Thai pineapple rice, American beans stew, American cabbage stew, Middle Eastern aubergine, or eggplant, and fried pita bread layered with mince and topped with yoghurt and crunchy almond flakes and lastly Chinese chicken stew. There was also the famous Malaysian beef rendang and there were also noodle and tofu dishes. I just loved all of them. They were absolutely delicious.
Chinese New Year goodies
Chinese New Year must come with a lot of sweet goodies to bring sweetness to life in the coming year. This is the table that we would crowd around after a full stomach.
Food always bring people together and builds friendship.
Do you have a women’s Chinese New Year party? What would you cook for such a party? Please share, add and comment in the comment box below.
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Merle Miller
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42 Comments
3hungrytummies on February 22nd, 2010
That must be such a noisy party lol
The food looks fantastic! I still have the carp mould 
Sushma Mallya on February 22nd, 2010
wow so many yummy and colourful dishes,very tempting, am sure u all must have had so much fun with no men around…
anncoo on February 22nd, 2010
WOW! I think this is the happiest moment with all the ladies talk. How I wish I can join you! My family usually have a quiet New Year because most of our relatives are not staying in Singapore.
Angie@Angie's Recipes on February 22nd, 2010
How fun!
I really want to taste that fish jelly!
You are the 2nd from the left on the first row.
Sarah, Maison Cupcake on February 22nd, 2010
Lovely round up of food, I see you in the front row. Those jelly goldfish are so cute.
Mary on February 22nd, 2010
@Divina - You should come here to join us! Yes, we should serve that sticky rice pudding to anyone who talks or nags too much 
There are 2 in pink, so which one ? 
@3hungrytummies - You are absolutely right! We were just such a noisy bunch It’s so cold so everyone keeps their windows closed…..thank goodness…LOL Wonder if you make the fish since you have the mould. I need to get one when I go back
@Sushma Mallya - Exactly….no men around. We were so free to be who we are… LOL. Just food and fun…yeah
@anncoo - Yes, you should come. We will have so much more fun…all our silly Asian stories…LOL. We would love to hear your interesting Singapore stories
@Angie@Angie’s Recipes - Thanks for guessing Wish you were here to join us! If you come, you can have the whole jelly fish
@Sarah, Maison Cupcake - Thanks for guessing
penny aka jeroxie on February 22nd, 2010
So much food. I love this type of gathering. I wish I could celebrate 15 days of CNY here as well
Christine@Christine's Recipes on February 22nd, 2010
I didn’t have any women’s Chinese New Year party this year. Hope I can have one next year, haha…
Mary, you and all the ladies had lots of fun and foods. Very blessed!
peachkins on February 22nd, 2010
Everything looks wonderful. I bet you had such a great time!
Catherine on February 22nd, 2010
What a wonderful party the food looks amaaaazing, I wish we had something remotely similar in my family/traditions/anything!! I also think you are second from left on the bottom row
deeba on February 22nd, 2010
What an awesome spread, and what a gorgeous bunch of women! I see you in the front row looking glam!
Jeannie on February 22nd, 2010
Mary, I feel hungry just looking at those delicious food! You are so lucky to have so many friends celebrating with you.
Roti n Rice on February 22nd, 2010
That looks like a lot of fun. Lucky you to have such a big group of friends there. You must be the one, second from left, in the front row.
rebecca on February 22nd, 2010
wow your really know how to celebrate love it
pigpigscorner on February 22nd, 2010
I’m so jealous!
Sook @ My Fabulous Recipes on February 22nd, 2010
Oh how fun!! That fish shaped jelly cracked me up!
Mary on February 22nd, 2010
@Penny aka jeroxie - Come and join us next year! Make sure you take at least 15 days leave
@Christine@Christine’s Recipes - I do hope you have one next year and share with us on your blog. I would love to see what you have on your side I’m sure you will enjoy it very much.
@peachkins - It was indeed a great time! We must have all felt a lot younger
@Catherine - Thanks very much for guessing! I hope you will have one next year and share with us what you have. It would be so lovely to learn from each other.
@deeba - Thanks very much for guessing and your lovely compliment I think this bunch of women are really naughty…LOL
@Jeannie - Yes, we are sure really lucky to be able to celebrate in this manner otherwise all of us will be very homesick! It was just fun being together to eat, chat and joke I hope you had a great Chinese New Year.
@Roti n Rice - Thanks very much for guessing! It’s always wonderful to gather every now and then especially during such festive occasions. It’s relaxing and fun and great to taste each others cooking
@Rebecca - Wish you can join us! It would be more fun. It was chopsticks time too!
@pigpigscorner - Don’t be jealous…still time to join us
@Sook @ My Fabulous Recipes - Isn’t that beautiful? I love it too. I love the colour combination. My friend is just so creative. I wonder what colour my fish will come out if I make
Mimi on February 22nd, 2010
I love the idea of the women’s gathering. I’m still laughing over the mother-in-law pudding.
All of the food looks so delicious.
Mimi
Janice on February 22nd, 2010
It’s been so interesting reading about your celebrations. I’ve never heard of a Chinese New Year Women’s gathering. Such a lot of lovely food.
Foodo on February 22nd, 2010
Thanks for ‘inviting’ us to the shindig 
Mary
Mary on February 22nd, 2010
@Mimi - I hope you don’t have to serve the Chinese New Year sticky rice pudding to your mother-in-law….haha. Mine….so far so good. So I eat the pudding myself
@Janice - Chinese New Year here is so quiet so we had to make up one to enjoy Exciting to make our men jealous too
@Foodo - You are most welcome. How nice if you could join us There would be so much more fun.
Blackswan on February 22nd, 2010
What a wonderful spread! Always envy your big party gathering. The food looks delicious too
Drick on February 22nd, 2010
well I’ll say one thing - ya’ll sho do know how to eat! - fab food, great friends…life could not be better….
Faith on February 22nd, 2010
Lovely quote, Mary! This is a really gorgeous spread of food — it looks like you ladies had so much fun!
Juliana on February 22nd, 2010
Wow, so much fun…I am glad that you all had a great time…the food look amazing
5 Star Foodie on February 22nd, 2010
Sounds like such a fun party and the food is awesome! I would love to try all of those yummy festive dishes!
joylicious on February 22nd, 2010
Mary this is out of control, upon reading this post I immediately wanted to pack my bags and move in with you. I didnt celebrate chinese new years at all in Dallas and then to see so many friends and DELICIOUS FOOD not just for one day but for SEVERAL DAYS?!?! My life is looking pretty crummy… hahaha You are lucky to be able to have such a great time with so many friends, conversing over delicious food. I should move to scotland… like right now. ^_^
p.s. you look hot in pink :)!
Christine @ Fresh Local and Best on February 22nd, 2010
Oh! I’m squealing with glee! I’m imagining how wonderful it must be to be part of these festivities. The food looks amazing!
Zibi on February 22nd, 2010
Such amazing food! Happy New Year
TasteHongKong on February 22nd, 2010
Wow every one looks so cheerful! Int’l foods, int’l friends, lovely : ).
tia on February 23rd, 2010
wow,what a spread! sounds like a great NY and a great grp of people.
Divina on February 23rd, 2010
You’re between the two women in white, right?
cheah on February 23rd, 2010
I spotted you…. 2nd from the left, front row.
Wow, so much food, gorgeous!
Mary on February 23rd, 2010
@Blackswan - Thanks very much, Shirley! Wish you could join us. We will have lots of Asian jokes to share with others
@Drick - Haha….I sure know how to enjoy life. I’ll always be around when there’s good food and good company I may end up at your place one day :P…to eat all your awesome prawn dishes….yum
@Faith - Thanks very much, Faith. I think when ladies gather, there’s no limit to the fun that we can have
@Juliana - Thanks very much, Juliana! That’s how we keep ourselves young and happy here, especially in this cold weather
@5 Star Foodie - Come and we’ll cook specially for you! We’ll have more fun with you around
@joylicious - Out of control….just the right word…LOL. Come, pack and come NOW! Make sure you bring Lily & Layla too. I must personally thank them for celebrating my birthday together Their pictures still make me smile widely Of cos, Collin is included! Thanks lots for your compliment! I must wear more pink colours then
@Christine @ Fresh Local and Best - Thanks very much, Christine! I think we should have a Chinese New Year Ladies Party on the blogosphere next year! Would be so cool We will make all the men jealous…LOL
@Zibi - Thanks very much, Zibi!
@TasteHongKong - Haha…I think there’s no chance for anyone not to be cheerful. Good food and good friends always bring BIG smiles
@tia - It is! The celebration is still going on until this Sunday! So…more to come
@Divina - Haha….you are absolutely right
@cheah - Thanks very much for guessing! You are very right Hard to miss my round face. Oooops…I think everyone’s is almost as round…LOL Must be the good food all the time
Shirley on February 23rd, 2010
Hey Mary,
Its great to belong to a group where all cook so well! What a spread- food and good cheer!
kristy on February 23rd, 2010
Ahha…. bottom row 2nd one from the left is Mary Moh! Am I correct? haha… Hopefully! haha… Hey Mary, gong xi fatt chai! Wishing you & your family the very best throughout the year of tiger.
Best wishes,
Kristy
Mary on February 24th, 2010
@Shirley - Thanks very much, Shirley! Yes, I must say all my friends cook very well. I think we have all become better cooks after living overseas because we miss home food so much
@kristy - Thanks very much for guessing, Kristy! You did it I’m sure you had a great Chinese New Year….lots of food and fun. Year of the tiger…..let’s roar…LOL
radha on February 24th, 2010
You are the one in pink V neck shirt first row! it sounds so happy this party. i am havin only dinners here in Hk coz we work in daytime ~ see what i made last week http://cartablog.wordpress.com/2010/02/22/peanuts-bars/
Mary on February 24th, 2010
@Radha - Thanks very much for guessing, Radha! You are very good in guessing Love your peanut bars and like how you made changes to it. I’ll have to try it with congee too. Thanks very much for the mention!
Light Delight with TouTou on February 24th, 2010
Whoa!! I am so jealous!! such BIG group and so many great food!! I love your parties , really wish someday I can join you!
Mary on February 25th, 2010
@Light Delight with TouTou - Oh no…don’t be jealous! Just come and join us. There’s always room and lots of good food for you. We’ll feed you well and keep you laughing non-stop
This lovely award was given by a lovely lady at 
Divina on February 22nd, 2010
I don’t have that women’s happy hours. Who wants to join me? Wow, you have so much food. Is that you in pink? You look great in pink! And those rice sticky pudding would be really helpful too in some days.