10 Chinese New Year snacks for kids
‘Fess up, everyone: this is probably one of the few times in the year we all say goodbye to our diets. It’s impossible to resist all these Chinese New Year (CNY) goodies when we go a-visiting (aka fending off nosy relatives and collecting red packets galore). The bewildering array of munchies available might stump you and your kiddos, so here’s our list of top ten festive CNY snacks to try above all else!
1. Bak kwa
A perennial family favourite, these thin slices of marinated pork meat come with a heavenly smoky flavour. It’s pretty addictive, too: before you know it, you’ll polish off one entire sheet all by yourself. It’s best to dish out bite-sized pieces for your tots, as this might be a little tough to chew.
2. Pineapple tarts
Made with pineapple jam atop a crumbly buttery base, pineapple tarts are full of juicy flavour and texture. These little golden domes signify “prosperity” in these parts, so no one will blame you for scoffing a few more (as long as they don’t add to your waistline that is!).
3. Nian gao
This hefty circular block of sticky sweet glutinous rice is quite a crowd-pleaser. Its name means “higher year” in Mandarin, so if you’re aiming for a promotion this year, you know what to nibble on! After it’s been left out to harden for a few days, fry thin slices of this with some eggs until it has a crispy outer shell for a great midday snack.
4. Love letters
Paper-thin wafers with delicate oriental patterns? Give us one already. Love letters (egg rolls) are a Chinese New Year staple and have a poignant history too: legend has it that this was how lovers would communicate in secret. After reading the message, they would eat it up to remove any trace of their dalliances. A foolproof way of communication, we reckon!
5. Kueh bahulu
We love this fluffy brown sponge cake to bits, and it’s easy to understand why. Made of eggs, flour and sugar, its fragrant and light aroma is absolutely pleasing to our palates. It’s soo good just on its own, and we’re sure the littlies can’t resist either!
6. Prawn rolls
Need a confidence boost when meeting your (scary) in-laws? Try a few of these innocuous-looking prawn rolls, a deep-fried delight made of ground sambal chilli and dried shrimp paste. Warning: most suitable for those who love spicy food, so this is best for older kids.
7. Kueh lapis
This richly buttered layered cake doubles up as a great icebreaker at awkward functions – after all, talking about food is always easy in Singers. The version with dried plum has been a hot favourite in recent times. Just don’t count your calories when you gobble this down.
8. Peanut cookies
Everyone’s got relatives who can play mahjong for three days straight – and maybe their secret comes in the form of these cookies, which symbolise longevity. Whether you’re young or old, you’ll definitely adore this nutty snack.
9. Melon seeds
These flat black seeds may look a tad unappetising, but it’s a regular at Chinese New Year because it is a part of the prosperity tray, an octagon-shaped platter containing other sweets like candied melon and longan (yum). Fastest fingers first!
10. Gold coin chocolates
It’s no secret that kids love this more than real money, especially since they can get a whole bag full of shiny gold coins to hoard and savour for weeks. A great way to get a little sugar rush, we say.
Images: Fragrance Foodstuff Facebook, Daniel’s Food Diary, madbaker.net, sugareverythingnice.blogspot.com