After Chinese New Year prayers, many households are left with plenty of boiled pork, boiled chicken, or steamed chicken filling up the fridge. Instead of reheating the same dishes over and over, homemakers can easily transform these leftovers into brand-new meals using simple ingredients already in the kitchen—saving money and reducing food waste at the same time.
Easy Dishes for the Whole Family
- Shredded Chicken with Sesame
Shred the boiled chicken into thin strips and toss with a little light soy sauce, sesame oil, and toasted white sesame seeds. Delicious with steamed rice or rice porridge perfect for a light and comforting meal. - Boiled Pork Stir-Fried with Onion in Sesame Sauce
Slice the boiled pork and stir-fry with onions. Season with soy sauce and sesame oil for a soft, fragrant flavor that’s not too strong, great for kids and elderly family members. - Sesame Chicken Fried Rice
Use shredded or roughly chopped boiled chicken and stir-fried rice with egg. Finish with a drizzle of sesame oil for a fragrant Chinese-style fried rice that’s easy to eat and not greasy.
Bolder Flavors for Spicy Food Lovers
- Boiled Pork Stir-Fried with Red Curry Paste and Long Beans
Boiled pork absorbs curry paste beautifully. Stir-fried with red curry paste and long beans, this simple dish is a dangerously good one that can easily empty the rice pot. - Dry Stir-Fried Chicken with Namjai Red Curry Paste
Stir-fry until dry so it keeps well for several meals. It’s also convenient for lunch boxes or make-ahead meals.
Make-Ahead & Ingredient Prep Ideas
- Sesame Stir-Fried Shredded Chicken (Refrigerator-Friendly)
Stir-fry shredded chicken with sesame oil and soy sauce until dry. Store in the fridge and use as a topping for rice, congee, or noodles. - Chicken Stock for Future Cooking
Simmer leftover chicken bones into a rich stock, then freeze it for later use in clear soups, vegetable boils, or homemade soups on the following days.
Chinese New Year offerings don’t have to feel like a burden; they’re actually excellent base ingredients. With just curry paste in the kitchen and a bottle of sesame oil, homemakers can create a variety of delicious, non-repetitive meals for days.
Reusing Chinese New Year offerings not only helps reduce food waste, but also opens up opportunities for families to get creative with what they already have. With quality curry paste like Namjai Curry Paste and Namjai Sesame Oil, it’s easy to turn simple offerings into special homemade meals with no extra effort required.
