Cooking Demo at Nanuet Library For Chinese New Year (VIDEO)

January 23 marks the 2012 Chinese New Year and the New Year ushers in the Year of the Dragon. 

As with any holiday, the Chinese New Year focuses on home, family, friends, and of course food. To celebrate this holiday, the Nanuet Library brought in a cooking demonstration program. Norma Chang, the Traveling Gourmet, prepared several dishes for the program's attendees. There was enough left over to give the library staff a bite too.

"You don't want to stress yourself out when you're cooking because then it doesn't make sense. You'd be taking the joy out of cooking," said Chang.

Chang, of Wappingers Falls, NY, made:

• Chicken with three flowers
• Chicken with lotus root and mixed vegetables
• Stir fry with carrot flowers

She took questions during her demo, some on and some off topic, but all dealing with food, health, cooking, food substitutes and shopping tips.

She has participated in other festivals and events such as the Duchess County Fair. Chang runs a blog called 'Garden to Wok' and has published two books:

• My Students' Favorite Chinese Recipes
• Working Your Way to Low Fat Cooking

Both books are available through Amazon.com or Norma Chang's website www.luv2wok.com. You can also contact Chang at Luv2wok@aol.com