Year of the Dragon - Chinese New Year 2012

We welcome the year of the dragon with the news that there might be a baby boom this year. A lot of people want a Dragon baby as they believe babies born this year will be far more superior than any other babies born in a different year. Dragon symbolises the Emperor therefore the superiority. With the recession this year and this belief, many people will get busy!

I was born in the year of the Rooster and most compatible with Dragon so I am happy. I hope to god this year is going to be a good one. However being a mum might be quite away yet. I decided to welcome the year of the Dragon with a good party. We have one every year and this year is no different. We get a few friends together and invite them to join in the festivities. We treated our friends to deep fried ginger chicken wings, roasted Dragon meat (Chinese roast pork), festive salad with raw salmon, Bulgogi ribs, pork and mushroom dumplings and prawn crackers. We also have red packets that we give to our friends. We put scratch cards in every one and Louisa won £10 this year. I miss my family most during this time of the year so it was lovely to have close friends around and celebrate life with them.

If you would like to celebrate any occasion with your nearest and dearest, the recipe below is fit for an emperor.

Roast Dragon Meat (Chinese Roast Pork) 

Ingredients:

1.5 kg boneless pork belly

For the dry rub

2 tablespoons coarse sea salt

1 tablespoon ground roasted Szechuan peppercorns

2 teaspoons five spice powder

1 teaspoon ground black pepper

2 teaspoons sugar

Note: The pork is prepared the day before

Method:

1) Pierce the skin with sharp knife or fork until the skin is covered with fine holes

2) Boil some hot water in a large pan. Hover the meat over the boiling water with a meat hook or large fork. Use a ladle and pour hot water on the skin several times. Set pork aside

3) Heat the wok and stir fry the ingredients for the dry rub for 3 minutes until well incorporated. Set aside to cool

4) Rub it all over the meat side of the pork

5) Put the meat on a wire rack and dry in the fridge overnight or at least for 8 hours

6) Preheat the oven to 200 C. Put the pork in the pre heated oven on a rack over a roasting tin of water. Roast for 15 minutes then reduce the temperature to 180 C and then continue for 2 hours. 

7) Turn up to 230 C for the final 15 minutes of cooking.

Note: I serve it by cutting it into bite size and chilli sauce. This makes good canapé or snack over a glass of wine or ice cold beer. This is a very popular bar snack in Asia. To make a meal out of the roast pork, you can serve it with plain boil rice. 

Happy Cooking!