Lunar New Year: Crafts

I always try to have crafts available for all of the little angels that visit my house.  I try to associate them with upcoming holidays so that they can better relate to the celebrations.  This year, we'll be making "dumplings" and paper rabbits.  You can find the links to the crafts below.

Here are some ideas from crafts.kaboose.com:

Felt Dumplings:  Dumplings are an important part of any New Year celebration but, at our house, they are difficult to make because of the grain allergies.  So.....why not make felt dumplings?!  They are a perfect addition to any angel's little kitchen.  I mean, what better to way to build traditions than letting the little ones pretend to set their own holiday table! 

Origami Bunny:  You can use an index card to make this bunny, perfect for the Year of the Rabbit.  And,  he really hops!

Paper Plate Rabbit:  This rabbit may not hop but it is perfect for the little ones who aren't quite ready to fold origami.  This bunny would be a perfect decoration around the table!


I also usually print out a few coloring pages and puzzles for those moments when the kids just need to fill a little time!  There are lots to choose from at http://www.activityvillage.co.uk/chinese_new_year.htm

Lunar New Year: Year of the Rabbit

Soon, the Lunar New Year will be celebrated by many people around the world.  According to the calendar that follows the moon, it will be Januray 1st.  Of course, to us sun worshippers, it will be February 3rd! It is said that this will be the beginning of a year full of manners and intuition; it will be the year of the rabbit. 

Preparations are well under way in our home.  We have purchased beef bones for Dduk guk, rice flour for Dduk, and oranges for our snacks.  I am looking for crafts for the kids and have pulled out our traditional clothes.  Just like Christmas, the excitement is building in our house.

I hope that you will follow along as we get ready for this celebration.  I will share the foods and the crafts as we get ready for the Year of the Rabbit.

Here's the plan:
Simple Rice Cakes (Dduk)
Traditional Dduk Guk (Rice Cake Soup)
Year of the Rabbit Crafts
A toast to the Year of the Rabbit

Lunar New Year: Simple Rice Cakes (Dduk)

Dduk is the korean word for rice cakes. It is particularly associated with the Lunar New Year's celebration (often referred to as Chinese New Year) which usually falls in February.  

Dduk are a snack food frequently used in celebrations, memorial rituals and holidays.  We eat them plain or drizzled with honey.  Some people fill them with sweetend beans or sesame.  But, my angel's favorite way to eat these goodies is in soup.

While Americans find the texture of Dduk to be an adjustment, I can speak from experience when I say that these rice cakes grow on you.  My  husband is always shocked that I now have cravings for these and when I cook my favorites, I can't stop eating them.

The recipe below is straightforward Dduk made from regular rice flour.  Whether or not you decide to eat them, these are super fun to make.  And, you never know, your allergy challenged angel might ask for more.

Simple Rice Cakes (Dduk)
1/2 C rice flour
1/8 C sugar
1/8 t salt
5 T hot water

1. Place ingredients in a small bowl and stir.
2. Once dough is manageable, knead to form a consistent, workeable texture.  See my video (coming soon) How to make Dduk dough for more on knowing when the dough is ready.
3. Cover bowl with plastic wrap and allow to rest 5 minutes.
4. Turn dough onto a silpat form small pieces of dough (approximately 1t) into shapes.  The shapes can be simple or sophisticated - balls, snakes, cubes, pyramids.  Have everyone in the house pitch in to help.  Keep a small bowl of room temperature water nearby in case the dough gets sticky.
5. As shapes are formed, place them on a parchment lined tray.
6. While everyone is forming rice cakes, line a steamer with parchment paper.
7. Bring the steamer to a boil.  If using a bamboo steamer, let the bamboo sit over boiling steam to wet the paper and bamboo sufficiently.  This helps the dduk cook better.
8. Place rice cakes in the steamer, leaving 1/2" space between rice cakes.
9. Steam for 7-10 minutes.  Remove from steamer and place back on parchment lined tray.
10. Allow rice cakes to cool then cover tightly with plastice wrap.

NOTE:  Rice cakes do not keep well.  You should eat them the same day.