January 23, 2012 is Chinese New Year. It is a fun time to teach your children about other cultures. Children love a hands on approach to studying. They will enjoy learning about China while you make traditional Chinese fried rice and some fun paper lanterns to decorate your home.
Chinese Fried Rice
3 cups cooked leftover cold rice
1 cup of cooked chicken, pork, or beef cut up in bite size pieces
1 egg
2 Tbsp soy sauce
1 Tbsp Teriyaki sauce
1 tsp, garlic powder
1 green onion chopped
1/2 cup frozen peas and carrots mix
2 Tbsp vegetable oil
Black pepper to taste.
Add oil In wok or frying pan over med add cold rice after oil is hot, continually stirring for about 3 minutes; add frozen peas and carrots, soy sauce, teriyaki sauce and garlic powder continue stirring until vegetables are tender about 10 minutes. Add cooked meat stir for another 3-4 min or until meat is warmed through. scramble egg in a bowl, push all of the rice mixture to one side of pan or wok slowly add the egg to the empty space in pan scramble until cooked through then mix together with rest of rice mixture. Add green onion and black pepper to taste.
Chinese Paper Lantern
Supplies:
Construction paper: Various colors
Glue
Scissors
Hole puncher
Pipe cleaners
Decorative items: Streamers, pom poms, stickers, ribbon, etc.
Instructions:
Fold a piece of construction paper lengthwise.
From the folded edge cut slits from one side to the other. Be careful not to cut all the way to the edge.
Unfold the paper. In the opposite direction (the short side) glue or staple the top edges together and then the bottom edges together.
Cut a strip of construction paper to glue to the top and bottom edge of the lantern. You may cut it straight or get creative and cut it in a wavy line, etc.
Punch a hole on one side of the lantern’s top edge and then on the opposite side.
Place a pipe cleaner through the hole and fold at the edge and bend around to the other hole to form a handle.
Decorate your lantern by adding pom poms, stickers or ribbon to the top and bottom edges of your lantern. Use your imagination to create something unique.