As the Chinese New Year approaches, many families, including ours, gather together to enjoy a festive and abundant dinner. Seafood, known for its fresh, tender texture and rich flavors, is an essential part of this celebration.

Today, we're excited to share with you five wonderful seafood dishes that are perfect for your New Year's table. These dishes are not only delicious but also bring good fortune and prosperity for the year ahead!

1. Clam and Shrimp Paste

Ingredients:

• 200g fresh clams

• 200g shrimp

• Ginger and garlic (finely chopped)

• 1 egg white

• Cooking drinks, salt, white pepper powder, cornstarch, chopped green onion

Steps:

1. Clean the clams: Soak the clams in water for 30 minutes, changing the water several times to remove any sand. Steam them until the shells open.

2. Prepare the shrimp: Peel and devein the shrimp, then chop them finely or blend them in a food processor to achieve a smooth paste.

3. Make the shrimp paste: In a bowl, combine the shrimp paste with egg white, salt, and pepper. Slowly add cornstarch until it reaches a sticky consistency.

4. Sauté ginger and garlic: In a pan, sauté ginger and garlic until fragrant, adding a bit of cooking drinks to remove any fishy smell.

5. Mix with clams: Chop the steamed clam meat finely and mix with the shrimp paste and sautéed ginger-garlic mixture.

6. Form and cook: Shape the mixture into small balls and boil until they float to the surface, then garnish with green onions.

- Tips: Ensure the shrimp paste is mixed well for a smooth, tender texture. Don't overuse cornstarch, as it could affect the texture. Thoroughly clean the clams to avoid sand.

2. Ginger and Scallion Crab

Ingredients:

• 2 seafood (about 500g)

• 2 spring onions

• Ginger, garlic, cooking drinks, soy sauce, sugar, salt, star anise, optional dried chili, green onion for garnish

Steps:

1. Clean the crab: Soak the seafood in water for 15-20 minutes, then scrub the shells clean and remove the gills and internal organs.

2. Prepare the aromatics: Slice the ginger, chop the garlic, and cut the spring onions into segments. Optionally, chop the dried chili.

3. Sauté aromatics: Heat oil in a pan and sauté the ginger, garlic, and onions until fragrant.

4. Cook the crab: Add the cleaned seafood to the pan and sauté until the shells turn slightly red and the crab meat is fragrant. Optionally, add dried chili.

5. Season: Add cooking drinks, soy sauce, sugar, and salt to taste. Add water and simmer for 15-20 minutes until the crab is fully cooked.

6. Finish: Reduce the sauce until thickened, then garnish with spring onions.

- Tips: Cleaning the crab properly is essential for a pure taste. Control the heat to prevent overcooking the crab meat.

3. Mustard Shrimp

Ingredients:

• 300g shrimp (peeled and deveined)

• 50g heavy cream

• 2 tablespoons mustard sauce (adjust to taste)

• Lemon juice, sugar, salt, black pepper, garlic, cilantro for garnish

Steps:

1. Prepare the shrimp: Clean the shrimp and pat them dry. If the shrimp are large, you can slice them in half.

2. Make the mustard sauce: Mix mustard sauce, heavy cream, lemon juice, sugar, and salt to make a smooth sauce.

3. Marinate the shrimp: Season the shrimp with a little salt and pepper, then let them marinate for 5-10 minutes.

4. Cook the shrimp: Heat oil in a pan and sauté the minced garlic until fragrant. Add the shrimp and cook until they turn golden.

5. Add the mustard sauce: Pour the mustard sauce into the pan, stir well to coat the shrimp, and cook for 2-3 more minutes.

6. Finish: Serve with cilantro for decoration.

- Tips: Don't overcook the shrimp, as they will lose their tenderness. Adjust the amount of mustard depending on your spice preference.

4. Scallion Oil Fish

Ingredients:

• 300g white fish fillets (such as cod or snapper)

• 2 spring onions

• Ginger, soy sauce, cooking drinks, sugar, salt, clear soup or water

Steps:

1. Prepare the fish: Cut the fish into thin slices and pat them dry. Marinate the fish with salt, pepper, and cooking drinks for 10-15 minutes.

2. Sauté ginger and onions: Heat oil in a pan, sauté the ginger slices, and then add the chopped onions. You can add sugar for extra flavor.

3. Cook the fish: Add the fish fillets to the pan and cook until they turn golden. Add soy sauce and a little water to cook further.

4. Finish: Once the fish is cooked, drizzle the scallion oil over the fish and garnish with cilantro.

- Tips:</b< Make sure to slice the fish thinly for a tender texture. Keep an eye on the cooking time to prevent the fish from becoming overcooked.