Embracing the Lunar New Year: A Time for Renewal and Organisation

The year of the Dragon begins on the 10^th February this year, bringing with it the opportunity for personal renewal and reorganisation. We also love that it gives us a second chance to try any new year’s resolutions from January!

 

Much like the intricate dance of a dragon weaving through a bustling crowd, Chinese New Year encourages us to navigate through the chaos of our surroundings and find moments of serenity through organisation, good food, and spending time with our loved ones in order to live better over the coming year. In Chinese culture, the Lunar New Year is celebrated with various traditions, symbolisms, and customs that bring people together—but our favourite has to be the fortune cookie.

 

Fortune cookies symbolise luck, prosperity, and togetherness, so are a great way to celebrate the Lunar New Year with your loved ones. They also only require 20 minutes to prep and bake!

 

Try our tried and tested fortune cookie recipe below:

 

Ingredients:

 

2 egg whites

1 tsp vanilla extract

1 tsp almond extract

3 tbsp sunflower oil

100g plain flour

2 tsp cornflour

100g caster sugar

 

 

Preheat the oven to 180C/160 fan/gas 4. Line a baking sheet with baking paper or use a silicone baking sheet. Write your fortunes on 6cm x 1cm paper strips and set aside.

 

Whisk egg whites, vanilla, almond extract, oil, and 2 tsp water until frothy. In a separate bowl, combine flour, cornflour, sugar, and a pinch of salt. Sift into the egg mixture. Whisk to create a smooth batter. Chill for one hour.

 

Spoon 1 tbsp of batter onto the sheet, shaping into 8-10cm circles with an oiled spoon. Space them apart and bake for 10-12 mins until golden.

 

Quickly shape the hot cookies. Place a fortune in the centre, fold in half, and pinch edges to seal. Set on the rim of a cup, gently pull corners down for the fortune cookie shape. Hold for 10 seconds, then transfer to muffin tins to cool and maintain shape. Repeat with remaining batter.

 

How are you all celebrating the Year of the Dragon? Head over to Moments on Instagram to follow along with our fortune cookie baking, and don’t forget to share your fortunes with the hashtag #aMomentwithHammonds!