Chef Kim Ngo gave a cooking demonstration from her home kitchen in Issaquah Highlands.
Last week, Chef Kim Ngo, owner of City Mom in the Wild Eats and a Crofton Springs resident, treated the community to a virtual cooking demonstration of Thit kho trung (Vietnamese braised pork with eggs) with pickled bean sprouts in honor of Lunar New Year.
Thit kho trung is a Vietnamese dish traditionally made to celebrate Lunar New Year (Tết Nguyên Đán or Tết in Vietnam) as a symbol of family affection. The eggs in this dish symbolize goodness and happiness for the year ahead. Before serving, the dish is often offered to deceased ancestors on the family altar.
“My mom would always make Thit kho trung before Tết, and the house would smell like it for days,” Kim said.
Lunar New Year is the most important holiday of the year for many Eastern Asian and South Asian people. The holiday occurs in late January or early February and marks the arrival of spring (this year, it starts on February 12). Each year is named after an animal zodiac sign, which may differ depending on the country. 2021 is the Year of the Buffalo, also referred to as Year of the Ox.
In the January 2020 issue of Connections, Issaquah Highlands resident Thuan Stevens shared why Tết is a significant holiday in Vietnamese culture.
“Tết has a very special meaning to all Vietnamese people. It is the time of year when family members return to their hometowns, visit relatives, sing together, and relax after a hardworking year,” Thuan said. “If you have the opportunity to visit Vietnam during the Tết holiday, this is a festive holiday you don’t want to miss!”
If you are looking for a delicious way to welcome the Year of the Buffalo/Ox, download the recipe for Chef Kim’s thit kho trung here >>
Chúc Mừng Năm Mới! Happy New Year!
Lindsey Pinkston is the Highlands Council community program manager and a Wisteria Park resident.
