The Year of the Dragon

Xin Nian Kuai Le!  Happy Chinese New Year!  Last evening we ushered in the Year of the Dragon with a Chinese meal shared with our friends Tim and Vera. It was nice to spend this holiday with people who had visited China and could relate to some of our experiences. Vera made the most amazing orange chicken and rice, dumplings, and green beans.  My contribution was steamed pork buns and dessert.  
Unfortunately I was frazzled shortly before our guests arrived due to dog vomit and a burning pan/bamboo steamer, and completely forgot to snap photos of our meal or visit.  
For dessert I bought a red bean rice cake, lotus candy, fortune cookies, and honeyed dates.  In addition, I tried a new recipe for steamed Nian Gao, a traditional Chinese New Year cake.  It was fun to try these new things, but I think we were all glad for the bowl of M&Ms we brought out at the end.  

Steamed Nian Gao and lotus candy