Friday 14 February 2014

Chap Goh Mei (Chinese Valentine's Day) and Baked Cheesy Prawns with Garlic for Valentine's Day

This year Chap Goh Mei falls on the 14th February 2014 and coincides with Valentine’s Day.

Chap Goh Mei, in Hokkien dialect means “the 15th night of the Chinese New Year”. It also symbolises the ending of the Chinese New Year. Chap Goh Mei is also known as the Chinese Valentine’s Day, Lantern Festival or Yuan Xiao. On Chap Goh Mei night family members gather for another reunion dinner.

On this day, the unmarried women or those missed the ferry would write their names and contact numbers on the oranges. Then they throw them into sea, lake or rivers with the hope of finding a good husband. However, as time goes by, people are more creative. Nowadays, we can also see available bachelor men throw bananas too into the river or lake with the same intention.

Hopefully my Baked Cheesy Prawns with Garlic spice up and add some fire to your relationship, hehehe...
Curious?  Well, aphrodisiac foods have long been known as a sure-fire way to revive any relationship.  To the Romans, prawns with garlic is capable of stimulating and set your desire alight.  So, if you think your relationship needs a boost, get cooking and bring the flames of passion to life!  Or isn’t it a double happiness and joy for all to celebrate this wonderful day filled with love and gratitude with your loved ones, family and close friends?
Ingredients :
6 big or medium-sized prawns (cleaned and marinated)
3 tbsp minced Garlic

1 tbsp finely chopped basil leaves
Mozzarella Cheese 
Olive oil
2 limes or lemon 

Marinates : (to taste)
1 tsp salt
1 tsp sugar
1/2 tsp pepper
A dash Chinese cooking wine or rum

Direction :
1)  Trim and clean the prawns.  Then, slit open and devein the prawns. 
2)  Marinate for 20 minutes.
3) Poke with satay stick or toothpicks from one end to the other, pull until straight.
4) Add chopped basil leaves and garlic to the slit parts.

5)  Pre-heat the oven at 180 degree.
6)  Line the tray with aluminium foil and arrange the marinated prawns.
 
7)  Then top with Mozzarella or any grated cheese and drizzle with olive oil or cooking oil.
8)  Bake for 10 to 12 mins depending on the size of the prawns.
9)  Serve with lime or lemon juice.
My special credits to Shane for his idea of serving baked prawns on Valentine's Day and Amelia of Amelia's Dessert for her recipe.
Happy Valentine's Day to all my friends here
who have been understanding, loyal and supportive. 
43.gif
d13.gif

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY !!!

To receive new updates, do LIKE me on FACEBOOK. Thanks! Thanks for visiting my blog and leaving me comments.. I really appreciate all your visits and comments! Have a nice day :)

31 comments:

  1. Hi Ivy, Happy Valentine's + Chap Goh Meh to you! ;)

    ReplyDelete
  2. Its double explosion of love with Chap Goh Meh and Valentine's day together. Love the prawn dish Ivy, the cheese and scent of basil leaves. Happy Valentine's day to you and take care.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Nava, Happy and sweet sweet Valentine's Day to you too. Yes, this baked cheesy prawns is very yummy :)

      Delete
  3. Hi my dearest, HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY TO YOU. Thank you for your kind mentioned, no problem. Glad you like the recipe. But make mine with extra extra cheese, please! :)) Yours look delightful and lovely display. I think I can finish all the 6 prawns. LOL

    Oh, that the lovely Chinese song by Lam and Sally Yeh, my favorite too.
    Have a lovely and sweet day with yours. With lots of love and hugs from me to you.
    Amelia

    ReplyDelete
  4. Replies
    1. Happy Valentine's Day to you too, Veronica :)

      Delete
  5. Ivy, your prawns would make for a very satisfying Valentine's Day meal! I am sure your family enjoyed it very much. Happy Chap Goh Meh and Valentine's Day!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Hi Yen, Thank you. You too, have a sweet romantic and Chap Goh Mei with your loved ones :)

    ReplyDelete
  7. Amelia dear, Happy Valentine's Days to you too. Thanks for your recipe. Will add extra cheese for you. My girls also complain not enough cheese but hubby likes this just nice as he doesn't like too much cheese!!
    Yes my favourite song too and hubby too. He likes to duet with me on this song of Ah Lam and Sally. A very meaningful song.
    You have a wonderful Valentine's Day and lots of hugs and muakss,
    Ivy

    ReplyDelete
  8. Thanks Phong Hong. You too, have a wonderful Valentine's Day with your loved ones and regards :)

    ReplyDelete
  9. Happy valentines day to u Ivy.....Ur prawn looks so delicious n yummy........Love the romantic music here.....

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Remya. You have a wonderful weekend ahead :)

      Delete
  10. Hi Ivy!
    Oh I'm so fortunate to have you as an online friend. Just look at all of the things I learned today and, I get to oogle such delectable goodness too! I have read about the Lantern Festivals traditions but I can understand so much more learning from you. What a sweet tradition:)

    Those prawns would sure fire me up, they look delicious! I know this may sound silly but I never knew how some people get them to lay so straight when they cook them. Now I know the "secret," toothpicks! Silly me, why did I never think of that, lol...Thank you so much for sharing, Ivy...Happy Valentine's Day!!!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Happy belated Valentine's day! The cheesy prawn dish looks finger-licking delicious!! I had a similar dish in HK but with lobster and I absolutely loved it! I'll definitely try it out myself soon. Thanks for sharing!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Happy valentines day. love this! so cheezy!

    ReplyDelete
  13. My pleasure, Louise. I am glad to have you as a friend too. I do learn a lot from you too. Thanks for your sincere friendship, Louise :) Yes, you can use toothpicks or satay sticks. Just pierce it all the way from the head to the tail of the prawns. I used toothpicks for this as the satay sticks that I am having is too 'fat' ! My toothpicks aren't long enough so you can see the prawns aren't straightened 100%! Still better than none, hahaha... You have a great weekend, Louise :)

    ReplyDelete
  14. Hi Yi, Happy Belated Valentine's Day to you too! Oh yes, this cheesy prawns is indeed finger-licking good! If you like cheese, do add a lot. Mine is actually not that too cheesy as my hubby doesn't like too over cheesy. My recipe is just nice for him, hahaha... but not for me and my children! Have a great weekend, Yi :)

    ReplyDelete
  15. Happy belated Valentine's Day to you too, Jozelyn! Have a great weekend :)

    ReplyDelete
  16. Hello Ivy, Wow! Holy Smoke! You did it! This the kind of dish that nobody eats without expressing themselves either vocally or facial, rolling eyes would be one.
    Licking the lips in a sensual manner another, and if a hubby or lover, adds a slight raise of right eyebrow followed by a cheeky wink.
    As for me? If MIL not present or children, only lady of the house, eating with hands and when eating make subtle sucking wet,sounds, like drinking hot soup. Ha ha ha.

    Ivy, I sure love your style and presentation, and any 4 Seasons or Shangri-la FB manager would love to have without resume or hesitation.
    The placing of glasses, the lighted candles, lighting all creating the right ambiance to a night of love and romance, and making neighbours phone or enquire over the fence next morning, "you all watching the movie, the call of the wild? We heard like wolves howling. My hubby said he heard like train arriving station".
    Ha ha ha.
    You have a great week, and keep a song in your heart, and once again, I sure love your style. Great photography too!
    Lee.
    ps, thanks for the neon light credit.

    ReplyDelete
  17. Hi Amy, Lai lai, anytime, just let me know in advance. You have a wonderful week ahead :)

    ReplyDelete
  18. Wow, wow, Shane! I am speechless! You are always so generous with your ever sweet sweet and sky high compliments!! There are no words to match my gratitude and appreciation of your tireless and continuous support and encouragement! Well, your words do motivate me to keep learning and learning and improving my culinary skills as well as my presentation and photography skills.

    Shane, here's a BIG THANK YOU and hugs from me to you.
    Have a great week ahead and be happy always,
    Ivy

    ReplyDelete
  19. Prawns and cheese and garlic--it doesn't get much better than that. I can tell you had a great Valentine's Day!

    ReplyDelete
  20. Hi Inger, yes, it match perfectly, prawns + cheese + garlic! You have a wonderful week ahead,. Cheers and hugs from me :)

    ReplyDelete
  21. Your prawns look so good, Ivy! Wish I could pluck them off the screen.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Mich, yes, it's very yummy but not enough cheese as hubby like it just nice. You have a great day ahead :)

      Delete
  22. Ivy, these prawns look delicious, I love the mozzarella in it...we celebrated the 15th day of Chinese New Year making the little glutinous flour balls...it was so much fun having the whole family on the table.
    Hope you are enjoying your week my dear :D

    ReplyDelete
  23. Hi Ivy, ha ha, love your comment font now. Just perfect! Previous was like having an affair with my Apple, had to go close to read.
    I guess my mention to your good friend in a Southern state got passed thru customs here, ha ha ha.
    You have really a beautiful blog, and the peach background very sensual colour. Only word I can think of.
    I guess its also a reflection of the owner's beautiful and warm personality.
    Well, you know, I've always loved beige colours, peach too.
    You have a nice day....and keep a song in your heart.
    Lee.
    Ps, thank you for the big thank you and hugs....I'll accept this as an IOU. Ada interest ke? Ha ha ha.
    Drop by when free, but make sure you get hubby a glass of iced water beside him.

    ReplyDelete
  24. Hi Juliana, yes, over here we do have tang yuen to celebrate Chap Goh Mei but it seems that this tradition is slowly dying among the younger generations. I love making tang yuen with family members as the atmosphere is so different - filled of love and joy. Have a great day ahead, dear :)

    ReplyDelete
  25. Hi Shane, yes, previously due to Google hiccups, the fonts in my comment box automatically reduced to so tiny even I also have problems commenting and reading, hahahha... Luckily, our dear southern friend is so kind to guide me how to change the fonts. Thanks to her!!
    Thanks again for your walk on water compliments!! I am in cloud nine liao, hahaha....
    Ok, hopping over to your pondok soon.
    More hugs from me to you...
    Ivy

    ReplyDelete
  26. Mmh, this looks so tasty!
    It was fun and very interesting to read how inventive available bachelors and bachelorettes can be :)
    Happy belated Valentines Day!

    ReplyDelete

To receive new updates, do LIKE SIMPLY BEAUTIFUL AND HEALTHY LIVING FACEBOOK. Thanks for visiting my blog and have a nice day :)