With Chinese New Year in the corner, Michelle shared with us why tangerines and oranges are one of the auspicious symbols of Chinese New Year.
From: http://traditions.cultural-china.com/en/214T11982T14619.html
Tangerines in Chinese sounds similar to the word “luck” and orange sounds like the Chinese word for “wealth”. Through the play of words, the Chinese is associating the gift of orange and tangerine as having an abundance of happiness and prosperity.
The bright orange colour of the fruits also symbolizes “gold”, hence it has an auspicious meaning to bring in good luck and wealth.
This is a very important factor for the Chinese New Year celebration.
Hence, you will find tangerines and oranges, being displayed in houses, offices and shops as they believe it will usher in good fortune for the occupants.
Michelle served the Orange Olive Oil Cake with a Honey-Orange Compote; recipe adapted from Smitten Kitchen.com.
Ingredients
- 3 oranges (blood orange preferred)
- 1 cup sugar
- 1/2 cup buttermilk or yogurt
- 3 large eggs
- 2/3 cup olive oil
- 1 3/4 cups flour
- 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
whipping cream or Greek yogurt (optional)
Source: this recipe is adapted from Simtten Kitchen
Instructions
 Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.Butter loaf pan and line with one sheet of parchment paper if desired across to facilitate removal from pan. |
 Finely grate zest from 2 oranges into sugar in a medium bowl. Rub or stir with fork until sugar and zest is evenly distributed. |
 Michelle demonstrated how to supreme an orange.First cut top and bottom off the orange. With the orange standing, cut peel and pith off the orange. |
 With a paring knife cut segments off the orange in between membranes.Cut segment into 1/4″ segments. |
 Squeeze juice from remaining orange(s) to equal 1/4 cup.Add buttermilk or yogurt until you have 2/3 cup liquid all together. |
 Add to sugar and orange zest mixture.Add eggs and olive oil. |
 In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt to separate any clumps. |
 Gently stir wet ingredients into dry ingredients. |
 Fold in orange segments. |
 Pour batter into prepared pan and bake 50 to 55 minutes or until cooked through.Serve with whipped cream or Greek yogurt.Top with Honey-Orange Compote (recipe below).
Supreme 3 oranges (blood and/or regular). Drizzle in 1 to 2 teaspoons honey. Let stand for a few minutes and then stir gently. |
