It is Chinese New Year today and it is the year of the goat (a.k.a. sheep / ram). My Chinese parents are both born under this year.

It is custom to eat only vegetarian food on this special day. Avoiding meat on the first day of the year is believed to give you a long life because idea that nothing should be killed on the first day of the year promotes Buddhist beliefs and traditions. If you’re in need of an extra karma boost, say no to bacon, steak, chicken wings and ribs for just one day.

In honour of this meat-free tradition, here are are a few of my favourite vegetarian recipes.

Click on the images to view the full recipes.

1. Cream Cheese Stuffed Mushrooms

2. Spiced Carrot and Coconut Soup

3. Caprese Salad

4. Eggplant Misocheese

5. Jubilee Rice

6. Grilled Cabbage Wedges with Lemon Thyme Dressing

7. Cumin Hash Browns

8. Halloumi with Balsamic Reduction

9. Beetroot and Goats Cheese Risotto

10. Tzatziki with Chunky Turmeric Vege Chips

 

Wishing you a wonderful Chinese New Year, whether or not you choose celebrate by eating vegetarian or Chinese (or vegetarian Chinese food).

There are a few Chinese New Year celebrations around, including the Auckland Lantern Festival held next weekend at Albert Park. With Chinese now living in every corner of the globe, I’m sure there will be celebrations near you too. Will you be celebrating somehow?