Yee Sang Recipe, also known as Yusheng or Prosperity Toss, is a vibrant and festive salad that is popularly enjoyed during the Chinese New Year in Southeast Asia, especially in Malaysia, Singapore, and Indonesia. The dish is believed to have originated in Malaysia and has become a symbol of prosperity, abundance, and good luck.
Yee Sang is typically served as a communal dish during reunion dinners and festive gatherings, where family and friends come together to celebrate the start of the Lunar New Year. Its colorful presentation and unique tradition of “lou hei” or “prosperity toss” make it a must-have dish during this auspicious time.
Yee Sang Recipe
Ingredients:
1)1 small pomelo (or grapefruit), segmented
2)1 carrot, shredded
3)1 cucumber, julienned
4)1 white radish (daikon), julienne
5)1 red chili, thinly sliced
6)1 spring onion, thinly sliced
7)1/4 cup pickled ginger, thinly sliced
8)1/4 cup pickled leeks, thinly sliced
9)1/4 cup pickled garlic, thinly sliced
10)1/4 cup roasted peanuts, coarsely chopped
11)1/4 cup sesame seeds, toasted
12)1/4 cup crispy crackers, crumbled
13)1/4 cup golden raisins or dried cranberries
14)1/4 cup pomelo or lime juice
15)2 tablespoons plum sauce
16) tablespoons sweet chili sauce
17)2 tablespoons hoisin sauce
18)1 tablespoon sesame oil
19) tablespoon vegetable oil
20)1 tablespoon honey or brown sugar
21)1/2 teaspoon five-spice powder
22)Dash of white pepper
23)Dash of salt
Instructions:
1)Prepare all the vegetables and fruits, including the pomelo, carrot, cucumber, white radish, red chili, spring onion, pickled ginger, pickled leeks, and pickled garlic. Arrange them separately on a large serving platter, creating a colorful and appealing display.
2)In a small bowl, mix together the plum sauce, sweet chili sauce, hoisin sauce, sesame oil, vegetable oil, honey (or brown sugar), five-spice powder, white pepper, and a dash of salt to make the dressing. Adjust the sweetness and seasoning to your preference.
3)Drizzle the dressing over the arranged vegetables and fruits on the platter.
4)Sprinkle the chopped roasted peanuts, toasted sesame seeds, crumbled crispy crackers, and golden raisins (or dried cranberries) on top of the salad.
5)Just before serving, gather all the participants around the table and invite everyone to join in the “lou hei” or “prosperity toss.” Using chopsticks, toss the salad ingredients high into the air while saying auspicious wishes out loud. This tradition symbolizes the wish for prosperity and good luck in the coming year.
Ingredients For Yee Sang Recipe
Yee Sang, also known as Yusheng or Prosperity Toss, is a vibrant and auspicious salad traditionally served during the Chinese New Year in Southeast Asia, especially in Malaysia, Singapore, and Indonesia.
This unique dish has gained popularity over the years and has become an integral part of the Lunar New Year celebrations, symbolizing good luck, prosperity, and abundance. The preparation and consumption of Yee Sang are accompanied by the joyous tradition of “lou hei” or “prosperity toss,” where family and friends come together to toss the ingredients high in the air while offering well-wishes for the new year.
1)Fish: Yee Sang traditionally includes slices of raw fish, symbolizing prosperity and abundance throughout the year. Common choices include salmon, snapper, or abalone.
2)Vegetables: A colorful array of julienned or shredded vegetables adds vibrancy to the Yee Sang. Carrots represent blessings and good luck, while cucumber signifies freshness and vitality. White radish (daikon) is added for longevity, and red chili adds a touch of spice and energy.
3)Herbs: Spring onions are often used for their symbolic representation of new beginnings and growth. The fresh green color also adds to the visual appeal of the dish.
4)Pickled Items: Pickled ginger, pickled leeks, and pickled garlic provide a tangy and sweet flavor profile, symbolizing added luck, harmony, and unity among family and friends.
5)Fruits: Pomelo or grapefruit segments are a key element in Yee Sang, representing abundance and wealth. The sweet and slightly sour taste complements the other ingredients.
6)Nuts and Seeds: Roasted peanuts symbolize longevity and a household filled with gold and silver. Toasted sesame seeds are added for prosperity and a flourishing business.
7)Crispy Crackers: Crumbled crispy crackers or deep-fried golden pillow-shaped crackers are used to represent wealth and a house filled with gold.
8)Dressing: The dressing, made from a combination of plum sauce, sweet chili sauce, hoisin sauce, sesame oil, vegetable oil, honey (or brown sugar), five-spice powder, white pepper, and salt, ties all the ingredients together with a harmonious blend of sweet, savory, and tangy flavors.
How To Make Yee Sang Recipe
Yee Sang, a colorful and auspicious salad, is a cherished dish in Malaysia, especially during the festive season of Chinese New Year. This unique recipe has its roots in Malaysian culinary heritage and has become a symbol of prosperity, abundance, and togetherness. Malaysians of diverse cultural backgrounds come together to enjoy this dish, making it a delightful representation of Malaysia’s multicultural fabric. Making Yee Sang is not only a culinary experience but also a meaningful cultural tradition that fosters joy and unity among family and friends.
Ingredients:
1)200g raw salmon (or other fish of choice), thinly sliced
2)1 medium-sized carrot, julienned
3)1 cucumber, julienned
4)100g white radish (daikon), julienned
5)2 spring onions, thinly sliced
6)2 tablespoons pickled ginger, thinly sliced
7)2 tablespoons pickled leeks, thinly sliced
8)2 tablespoons pickled garlic, thinly sliced
9)50g pomelo segments (or grapefruit segments)
10)50g roasted peanuts, coarsely chopped
11)2 tablespoons sesame seeds, toasted
12)50g crispy crackers, crumbled
13)2 tablespoons golden raisins or dried cranberries
Dressing:
1)3 tablespoons plum sauce
2)2 tablespoons sweet chili sauce
3)2 tablespoons hoisin sauce
4)1 tablespoon sesame oil
5)1 tablespoon vegetable oil
6)1 tablespoon honey or brown sugar
7)1/2 teaspoon five-spice powder
8)Dash of white pepper
9)Dash of salt
Instructions:
1)Prepare all the ingredients by washing and slicing the vegetables, fruits, and fish as required. Arrange them separately on a large serving platter.
2)In a small bowl, combine the plum sauce, sweet chili sauce, hoisin sauce, sesame oil, vegetable oil, honey (or brown sugar), five-spice powder, white pepper, and a dash of salt to make the dressing. Mix well until all the flavors are blended.
3)Drizzle the dressing over the arranged vegetables, fruits, and fish on the platter. Ensure the dressing is evenly distributed.
4)Add the pickled ginger, pickled leeks, and pickled garlic to the platter, sprinkling them over the salad.
5)Next, add the pomelo segments and sliced spring onions to the dish.
6)Carefully place the thinly sliced raw fish, such as salmon, on top of the salad.
7)Sprinkle the chopped roasted peanuts, toasted sesame seeds, crumbled crispy crackers, and golden raisins (or dried cranberries) over the entire dish.
8)Just before serving, invite everyone to gather around the table and participate in the tradition of “lou hei” or “prosperity toss.” Using chopsticks, toss the salad ingredients high into the air while shouting auspicious wishes for the new year.
9)Once the ingredients are well mixed, the Yee Sang is ready to be enjoyed. Serve immediately, allowing everyone to savor the harmony of flavors and textures.
Website: www.malaysianfoodie.com
Making Yee Sang in Malaysia is not only about preparing a delightful and flavorful dish but also embracing the cultural significance and tradition behind it. As Malaysians gather with family and friends during Chinese New Year, Yee Sang becomes a centerpiece of the celebration, bringing people together to toss and share good wishes for prosperity, happiness, and unity.
The vibrant colors, fresh ingredients, and symbolic meanings of each component make Yee Sang a truly unique and cherished dish in Malaysian culture. It embodies the spirit of togetherness and the hope for a prosperous and harmonious year ahead. May the tradition of Yee Sang continue to be celebrated and enjoyed by generations to come.