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Adam Liaw's Chinese New Year feast

Adam Liaw
Adam Liaw

Lucky parcels: Fried spinach and dried shrimp wontons <a href="http://www.goodfood.com.au/good-food/cook/recipe/spinach-and-dried-shrimp-wontons-20160202-49w26.html"><b>(recipe here)</b></a>.
1 / 20Lucky parcels: Fried spinach and dried shrimp wontons (recipe here).William Meppem
Steamed Murray Cod with red chilli oil - the oil represents fire in the 2016 Chinese zodiac <a href="http://www.goodfood.com.au/good-food/cook/recipe/steamed-murray-cod-with-red-chilli-oil-20160202-49w21.html"><b>(recipe here)</b></a>.
2 / 20Steamed Murray Cod with red chilli oil - the oil represents fire in the 2016 Chinese zodiac (recipe here).William Meppem
Dragon and phoenix longevity noodles - the two great mythical animals of Chinese legend are represented in this dish along with long noodles to ensure a long life <a href="http://www.goodfood.com.au/good-food/cook/recipe/dragon-and-phoenix-longevity-noodles-20160202-49w2e.html"><b>(recipe here)</b></a>.
3 / 20Dragon and phoenix longevity noodles - the two great mythical animals of Chinese legend are represented in this dish along with long noodles to ensure a long life (recipe here).William Meppem
Yunnan barbecue spare ribs with black vinegar sauce <a href="http://www.goodfood.com.au/good-food/cook/recipe/yunnan-barbecue-spare-ribs-with-black-vinegar-sauce-20151208-47h2l.html"><b>(recipe here)</b></a>.
4 / 20Yunnan barbecue spare ribs with black vinegar sauce (recipe here).William Meppem
Red-braised 'lion's heads' - these giant meatballs represent luck, prosperity, longevity and happiness <a href="http://www.goodfood.com.au/good-food/cook/recipe/redbraised-lions-heads-20160202-49w2a.html"><b>(recipe here)</b></a>.
5 / 20Red-braised 'lion's heads' - these giant meatballs represent luck, prosperity, longevity and happiness (recipe here).William Meppem
Tongue-tingling salt and (Sichuan) pepper squid <a href="http://www.goodfood.com.au/good-food/cook/recipe/salt-and-pepper-squid-with-aioli-20151027-457dm.html"><b>(recipe here)</b></a>.
6 / 20Tongue-tingling salt and (Sichuan) pepper squid (recipe here).William Meppem
Chicken stir-fried in XO sauce <a href="http://www.goodfood.com.au/good-food/cook/recipe/chicken-stirfried-in-xo-sauce-20140707-3bh8i.html"><b>(recipe here)</b></a>.
7 / 20Chicken stir-fried in XO sauce (recipe here).William Meppem
Adam Liaw's salmon sang choy bao is an update on a classic Chinese dish <a href="http://www.goodfood.com.au/good-food/cook/recipe/salmon-sang-choy-bao-20151215-47ujp.html"><b>(recipe here)</b></a>.
8 / 20Adam Liaw's salmon sang choy bao is an update on a classic Chinese dish (recipe here).William Meppem
Barbecued snapper with black beans and salted chillies (prepare the chillies in advance) <a href="http://www.goodfood.com.au/good-food/cook/recipe/barbecued-snapper-with-black-beans-and-salted-chillies-20151208-47h2u.html"><b>(recipe here)</b></a>.
9 / 20Barbecued snapper with black beans and salted chillies (prepare the chillies in advance) (recipe here).William Meppem
Orange marmalade fried ice-cream with chocolate sauce - Oranges are symbols of wealth and good luck around Chinese New Year. So there's no need to feel guilty about eating fried ice-cream if it's lucky, right? <a href="http://www.goodfood.com.au/good-food/cook/recipe/orange-marmalade-fried-icecream-20160202-49w2l.html"><b>(recipe here)</b></a>.
10 / 20Orange marmalade fried ice-cream with chocolate sauce - Oranges are symbols of wealth and good luck around Chinese New Year. So there's no need to feel guilty about eating fried ice-cream if it's lucky, right? (recipe here).William Meppem
Braised wagyu in home-made XO chilli sauce <a href="http://www.goodfood.com.au/good-food/cook/recipe/baised-wagyu-in-homemade-xo-chilli-sauce-20130603-2nku1.html?rand=1391055495706"><b>(recipe here)</b></a>.
11 / 20Braised wagyu in home-made XO chilli sauce (recipe here).William Meppem
Neil Perry's crisp Chinese-style chicken legs <a href="http://www.goodfood.com.au/good-food/cook/recipe/crispy-chinesestyle-chicken-legs-20140114-30sg5.html?rand=1391055324939"><b>(recipe here)</b></a>.
12 / 20Neil Perry's crisp Chinese-style chicken legs (recipe here).William Meppem
Textural and spicy: Hot beef and tofu <a href="http://www.goodfood.com.au/good-food/cook/recipe/spicy-hot-beef-and-tofu-20140114-30shg.html?rand=1391055658585"><b>(recipe here)</b></a>.
13 / 20Textural and spicy: Hot beef and tofu (recipe here).William Meppem
Video and recipe: Watch Adam Liaw cook Asian greens like a Chinese restaurant <a href="http://www.goodfood.com.au/good-food/cook/recipes-from-adam-liaws-asian-cookery-school-20150912-gjkt47.html"><b>(recipe here)</b></a>.
14 / 20Video and recipe: Watch Adam Liaw cook Asian greens like a Chinese restaurant (recipe here).Supplied
Seasonal mango gives Peking duck a tangy, textural lift <a href="http://www.goodfood.com.au/good-food/cook/recipe/twiceroasted-peking-duck-with-mango-20131104-2wwaj.html?rand=1391055581790"><b>(recipe here)</b></a>.
15 / 20Seasonal mango gives Peking duck a tangy, textural lift (recipe here).William Meppem
Spice up a banquet with this tasty black pepper and chilli lamb <a href="http://www.goodfood.com.au/good-food/cook/recipe/black-pepper-and-chilli-lamb-20130807-2rfa6.html?rand=1391055514917"><b>(recipe here)</b></a>.
16 / 20Spice up a banquet with this tasty black pepper and chilli lamb (recipe here).William Meppem
Chilli chicken with chestnuts, black funghi and celery <a href="http://www.goodfood.com.au/good-food/cook/recipe/chilli-chicken-with-chestnuts-black-funghi-and-celery-20150504-3vbik.html"><b>(recipe here)</b></a>.
17 / 20Chilli chicken with chestnuts, black funghi and celery (recipe here).William Meppem
Karen Martini's Chinese cabbage, shiitake and tofu salad <a href="http://www.goodfood.com.au/good-food/cook/recipe/chinese-cabbage-shiitake-and-tofu-salad-20130205-2dvqp.html?rand=1391055698153"><b>(recipe here)</b></a>.
18 / 20Karen Martini's Chinese cabbage, shiitake and tofu salad (recipe here).Marina Oliphant
Stir-fried scallops with beans and oyster sauce <a href="http://www.goodfood.com.au/good-food/cook/recipe/stirfried-sea-scallops-and-beans-with-oyster-sauce-20121123-29u0o.html?rand=1391055829507"><b>(recipe here)</b></a>.
19 / 20Stir-fried scallops with beans and oyster sauce (recipe here).William Meppem
Perfect parcels: Prawn wontons with chilli oil and soy sauce <a href="http://www.goodfood.com.au/good-food/cook/recipe/prawn-wontons-with-chilli-oil-and-soy-sauce-20130425-2ih0p.html?rand=1391055948919"><b>(recipe here)</b></a>.
20 / 20Perfect parcels: Prawn wontons with chilli oil and soy sauce (recipe here).William Meppem

My favourite thing about Chinese New Year is how ordinary foods are magically turned into lucky charms.

As well as being tasty, long noodles now also bring you long life. The more dumplings you chow down the more gold and riches you attract. Even chucking a meatball onto your plate can be considered auspicious.

Dragon and phoenix longevity noodles.William Meppem
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Don't worry if you're a bit sceptical, the popular foods of Chinese New Year are more tradition than superstition and, even if you're wrong, a bit of extra good luck can't hurt anyone.

Here's a five-course banquet that's both delicious and auspicious.

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Dragon and phoenix longevity noodles

The two great mythical animals of Chinese legend – the dragon and the phoenix – are represented in this dish along with long noodles to ensure a long life.

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Steamed Murray Cod with red chilli oil.William Meppem

Steamed Murray cod with red chilli oil

This version of the classic Chinese steamed fish is covered with a vibrant red chilli oil to represent fire in the 2016 Chinese zodiac.

Spinach and dried shrimp wontons.William Meppem
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Spinach and dried shrimp wontons

These wontons are very lucky during the new year period, as their shape resembles ancient Chinese sycee gold ingots.

Red-braised lion's heads.William Meppem

Red-braised lion's heads

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Each of the four giant meatballs in this dish symbolises one of luck, prosperity, longevity and happiness. Which one will you get?

Orange marmalade fried ice-cream with butter chocolate sauce.William Meppem

Orange marmalade fried ice-cream with chocolate sauce

Oranges and tangerines are symbols of wealth and good luck around Chinese New Year. There's no need to feel guilty about eating fried ice-cream if it's lucky, right?

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Adam LiawAdam Liaw is a cookbook author and food writer, co-host of Good Food Kitchen and former MasterChef winner.

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