Chinese New Year at the Market!

新年快樂 CHINESE NEW YEAR CELEBRATION! 新年快樂

Help us ring in the Year of the DRAGON!
A year of prosperity, health and happiness!

Sunday January 29th Free!

We are celebrating CHINESE NEW YEAR at the Halifax Seaport Farmer's Market. 10 am until 4 pm.

The new year, which traditionally lasts for 15 days, is the longest and most important of the Chinese holidays. The festival begins on the first day of the first month within the Chinese calendar, January 23 and it ends on the date of the full moon Feb 6.

*DRAGON DANCE*

12:00 -1:00 We will have our own DRAGON! Spreading good luck and prosperity. Come and watch the DRAGON DANCE through the market. Sponsored by the Chinese Society of Nova Scotia!

* TAI CHI*

2:00 -2:30 Watch the Taoist Tai Chi Society of Canada, Atlantic Region demonstrate Tai Chi!

Get a free LUCKY red money packet to bring you prosperity for the year* (only 100 available)

FREE FORTUNE COOKIES!

Make Chinese Lanterns and Fans

Tangerine cupcakes from Little Red Kitsch'n

Authentic Chinese Food from Biscuit Lips and Cheelin Express!

*Chinese Cultural table*

Meet the Dragon!

Live Music

Lots of food and craft stands

Noodles are considered a lucky food, giving us longevity! Norbert's Good Food will be serving up Chicken NOODLE Soup. Little Red Kitsch'n has some frozen Miso Udon NOODLE soup you can take home.

Whole Fish. The Chinese word for fish sounds like the word for abundance. It’s important that the fish is served with the head and tail intact, “to ensure a good start and finish and to avoid bad luck throughout the year.” Pick one up from The Fish Shop!

Dumplings look like the ancient, ingot-shaped Chinese currency, eating them is said to bring prosperity. Pick some up when you are here!

BAMBOO is considered lucky all year long. Pick some up at Sea Bloom.

Wear red and join in the festivities!!!
Enjoy prosperity, longevity, and happiness in the coming year
新年快樂 新年快樂 新年快樂 新年快樂 新年快樂

photos: S. Duffett

Fragrant Curried Rice with Kale and Chickpeas

Winter comfort food! You can double this for a potluck, delicious! Bonus....it is FAT FREE!

Fragrant Curried Sweet Rice with Kale & Chickpeas

Ingredients.....

1.5 cups brown rice (or use a mixture of wild, red and brown or white)

3-4 cups of veggie broth plus extra for sauteeing ( you can use a boxed broth for ease)

2.5 Tbsp of mild curry powder

1 T onion powder

1.5 tsp chili powder

1.5 tsp ground cumin

1 tsp smoked paprika ( use regular if that's what you have)

1 tsp cinnamon

1 large onion, diced

1 cup carrots, diced ( about 4) (or green beans, sweet potato, squash or combo)

3/4 cup shredded,chopped kale (cut out the spine)

1/2 cup pitted dates, chopped finely (you could use raisins)

! 15-ounce can of garbanzo beans/chickpeas drained (I used Eden brand, no BPA)

Juice of 1/2 lemon ( you could add orange too)

salt to taste

hot sauce to taste
Method...

1. Put the rice and all spices into a large pot with the broth and cook according to the directions for the rice.( Usually simmer for about 25-35 minutes)

2. Chop onion, carrot and kale and dates.

3. In a skillet, coat the bottom with veggie broth and heat. When starting to simmer, add the onion and cook for about 5 minutes, add the carrots (and any other veggie you want to add) and cook for another 5 minutes or so. Add extra broth to keep from sticking. You can turn it down a bit and then add the dates and kale.

4. When the rice is cooked, stir in the drained chickpeas, onion/carrot/kale mixture and lemon (+orange) juice.

5. Taste and adjust seasoning. salt and pepper and hot sauce etc.

Really tasty! This is one of those dishes that is easy to modify!

photos: S Duffett