As the Lunar New Year approaches, families across the globe gather to celebrate with feasts that are not only a treat to the palate but also a nod to tradition and symbolism. The dish “Prosperity in Bloom,” with its rich connotations of wealth and good fortune, is a culinary emblem of the festive spirit, promising a year filled with happiness and prosperity.
The preparation of this dish is akin to an art form, a delicate balance of flavors and a careful construction of ingredients designed to evoke the essence of the New Year. It is a dish that is as pleasing to the eye as it is to the taste buds, a true centerpiece for the New Year’s dinner table.
Ingredients:
- White Radish: 1 piece
- Minced Meat: 200 grams
- Salt: 2 grams
- Light Soy Sauce: 10 grams
- Huadiao Wine (Shaoxing Wine): 5 grams
- Chicken Essence: 2 grams
- White Pepper Powder: 1 gram
- Cornstarch: 6 grams
- Scallion and Ginger Water: 30 grams
Creating Prosperity in Bloom:
Select a radish of approximately 6 centimeters in diameter, uniform from end to end—a canvas ready for the artist’s hand. Crush scallions and ginger, steeping them in water to create a flavorful infusion that will bring life to the meat.
Season the minced meat with salt, light soy sauce, Huadiao wine, white pepper powder, chicken essence, cornstarch, and the scallion-ginger water. Mix well, allowing each grain of seasoning to meld with the meat. Then, with vigor, throw and catch the meat with your hands to ensure it binds together, forming a cohesive mixture that will later be easily sculpted. A brief sojourn in the refrigerator for 30 minutes will set the stage for the next act.
Slice the radish thinly, no more than 2 millimeters thick, ensuring it is just right to cradle the seasoned meat. Soak the radish slices in salted water to soften them, then rinse to halt the softening process. Pat them dry, as a canvas must be prepared for the painter.
Lay the meat upon each radish slice, smoothing it into place, and pinch at the center to create a pattern reminiscent of a flower in bloom. Circle these blossoms around the plate, and at the heart, place slices of red radish for a pop of festive red, symbolizing joy and good fortune.
Steam the dish for approximately 12 minutes, just enough time for the flavors to marry and the textures to soften into harmony. Pour the liquid from the plate into a pan, thicken it with cornstarch, and drizzle the sauce over the meat to complete the masterpiece. A sprinkle of green onions and a placement of radish leaves in the center complete the dish, a tribute to the New Year.
This dish is not only a visual feast but also a repository of taste, ready to be recreated at your convenience. It can be made in advance, preserved under a veil of cling film in the chiller, and reanimated with steam or a gentle warmth from the microwave before being finished with the thickened sauce and garnishes.