was the last to edit 2011 Favourite Family Recipe competition - PROSPERITY SALAD
on Feb 18th, 2011 at 6:31 PM
created 2011 Favourite Family Recipe competition - PROSPERITY SALAD
on Feb 18th, 2011 at 2:24 PM
2011 Favourite Family Recipe competition - PROSPERITY SALAD
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The "Prosperity Salad" or "Yu Sheng(余升 )" meaning "abundance growth" is usually served during the Lunar New Year Season in South East Asia by Chinese. What is "Prosperity Salad" or "Yu Sheng"? It usually consists of strips of raw fish (most commonly used is salmon), mixed with shredded vegetables and a variety of sauces and condiments, among other ingredients.
The ORIGIN of the dish was from Guangzhou traditionally celebrated on Renri (7th day of the Lunar New Year). It was evolved into today's modern Prosperity Salad in South East Asia in the 1960's. In Mandarin it is called Yusheng, literally means “raw fish”.
Yúshēng (鱼生) implies "abundance of wealth and long life".Therefore, yusheng is considered a symbol of abundance, prosperity and vigor. The ingredient, fish, was replaced with young coconut for a vegetarian dish. Hence it is called Prosperity Salad.
Each INGREDIENT symbolises something special:
The main ingredients of carrots, cucumber and radish are all long shreds indicating blessings of good luck, eternal youth and prosperity.
Spices will be added in the hope of attracting money and valuables.
Pomelo added for both luck and auspicious value.
Condiments of peanuts and sesame seeds dusted on the dish symbolising a household filled with gold and silver. Also an icon of longevity.
Wanton crisps in the shape of golden pillows added with wishes that the whole floor would be filled with gold.
Lastly pickled ginger added and drizzle of plum sauce and oil all over the salad.
Ingredients:
Raw Fish - replace by young coconut X 1 can
Pomelo - 1 pce (or grapefruit)
Pepper, 5 spice powder & cinnamon X 1 tsp each
Oil - 3 tbsp
Carrot and Cucumber - 200 gm each (finely shred)
Radish - 300 gm (finely shred)
Peanuts - 50 gm (grounded)
Sesame - 30 gm (grounded)
Deep fried flour crisp - 20 pce (use wanton skin)
Pickle ginger (finely shred)
Plum sauce - 3 cups
To ASSEMBLE the salad, use a flat big round tray or plate:
Step 1: All present at the table offer New Year greetings to each other.
Step 1 Words: Gong xi fa cai meaning "congratulations for your wealth" , wan shi ru yi meaning "may all your wishes be fulfilled".
Step 2: Fish, symbolising abundance or excess through the year, is put on the plate.
Step 2 Words: Nian nian you yu, you yu you sheng.
Step 3: The pomelo is added over the fish, adding both luck and auspicious value.
Words: Da ji da li.
Pepper is then dashed over the ingredients in the hope of attracting more money and valuables.
Words: Zhao cai jin bao.
Then oil is poured, circling the ingredients to increase all profits 10,000 times and to encourage money to flow in from all directions.
Words: Yi ben wan li and cai yuan guang jin.
Step 3 Words: Da ji da li, Zhao cai jin bao, Yi ben wan li, cai yuan guang jin.
Step 4: Carrots are added to the fish, indicating blessings of good luck.
Words: Hong yun dang tou.
Then the shredded green radish(I use cucumber) is placed on the fish, symbolising eternal youth.
Words: Qing chun chang zhu.
Next, the shredded white radish is added for prosperity in business and promotion at work.
Words: Feng sheng shui qi and bu bu gao sheng.
Step 4 Words: Hong yun dang tou, Qing chun chang zhu.Feng sheng shui qi, bu bu gao sheng.
Step 5: The condiments are finally added. First, peanut crumbs are dusted on the dish, symbolising a household filled with gold and silver. As an icon of longevity, peanuts also symbolise eternal youth.
Words: Jin yin man wu.
Sesame seeds quickly follow symbolising a flourishing business.
Words: Sheng yi xing long.
Deep-fried flour crisps in the shape of golden pillows are then added with wishes that literally translate to mean the whole floor would be filled with gold.
Words: Pian di huang jin.
Step 5 Words: Jin yin man wu, Sheng yi xing long, Pian di huang jin.
Step 6: All at the table toss the salad by pushing them toward the centre with chopsticks. This is an encouragement to push on the good luck of all at the table. Then seven times with loud shouts of lo hei and other auspicious good wishes (e.g. good luck to all, abundance of wealth and long life, presence of eternal youth,etc.) . Toss the salad until well mixed.
Words: Lo hei which is in Cantonese for "tossing your luck up".
Step 6 Words: Lo hei
The healthy and refreshing dish is now ready to be served to all at the table. Enjoy the dish ......... PROSPERITY SALAD :)
JaneLee
said Background and evolution todate on "Prosperity Salad"
Tags: Prosperity Salad, favourite family recipe, competition, chinese new year 2011, 2011 competition, recipe