Movies and Chinese food: Recipe for a perfect Christmas

WRAL contributor Nili Zaharony shares her family's normal plans for Christmas - Chinese food and a movie!

Posted 10:00 a.m. Dec 20, 2021 — Updated 3:51 p.m. Dec 21, 2021

Nili Zaharony

, WRAL contributor

RALEIGH, N.C. — If you have any Jewish friends, ask them what their plans are for Christmas. I would bet you anything they’ll be spending the day eating Chinese food and watching a movie. When Senator Lindsey Graham asked Supreme Court Justice Elena Kagan during her confirmation hearing how she spent Christmas, she famously quipped “like all Jews, I was probably at a Chinese restaurant.”

The tradition dates back to New York’s lower east side in the late 19th century when Jewish and Chinese immigrants lived in close proximity. The reasoning behind it is laughably simple. The whole country shuts down on Christmas…except for most Chinese restaurants, because they don’t celebrate Christmas either. There is even an image that circulates social media every year. The original source is unknown at this point, but you can see one of the signs and read more about the legend on Snopes.

I’ll be honest that we have yet to find that amazing Chinese restaurant here in Raleigh that warrants the coveted Christmas visit. I know there are some good ones and the Jewish Facebook groups always light up with recommendations in the days leading up to Christmas. I have been blessed with a very close friend that I most often refer to as my Chinese sister, who has taught me the art of Chinese hot pot. She is the first generation daughter of immigrants from Hong Kong so she knows what she’s talking about. It is a family favorite and definitely a go-to recipe on Christmas.

I am a firm believer in interactive meals for kids. They always eat more when dinner is a hands-on activity (chicken fajitas, make-your-own pizza, or Chinese Hot Pot). I love the Hot Pot meal especially because the “recipe” includes whatever looks good at the store. Personally, it’s just an excuse for me to visit the Grand Asia Market on the Raleigh/Cary border. I always treat myself to a lotus ball and a milk tea on the way out. I need refreshments for the drive home obviously.

WRAL contributor Nili Zaharony's family goes shopping for items for their annual Christmas hot pot.

Recipe (sort of) for Chinese Hot Pot

You will need a camping stove in the middle of your dining table. I also recommend tongs and a soup ladle for serving. Your broth of choice is heated on the camping stove. With prepared platters of raw food, everyone can pick what they want to throw in the pot, wait a couple minutes, and dinner is served. Add ingredients throughout the meal and enjoy a different bowl every time. I’ve included here some of our favorite ingredients.

Ingredients

Soup broth - our favorite is a mild tomato based broth. Other options include a spicy broth, beef broth, or mushroom broth. We usually get the tomato broth Hot Pot packet and just add water.
Noodles - I prefer a rice noodle while the kids prefer a fresh Udon
Tofu - We love the tofu puffs but plain tofu is delicious as well. Just make sure it’s firm.
Mushrooms - we usually get 3-4 different kinds. Clamshells and Enoki are the family favorites
Leafy greens - bok choy, cabbage, watercress, spinach
Other yummy vegetables - broccoli, cauliflower, potatoes, taro
Dumplings - if you’re at an Asian Market, just head over to the dumplings section and see what looks good to you. I’d recommend the pre-cooked ones in the frozen section so you don’t have to worry about eating something undercooked. Our favorite is chicken and vegetable
Meat - Hot Pot meat is sliced very thinly and cooks fast. Our favorites are beef or lamb. You can find them pre-cut in the frozen cooler opposite the fresh fish at Grand Asia

The beauty of Hot Pot is that you can put whatever you want in it. The options are endless and the meal is always delicious. Once your belly is full of Hot Pot, snuggle up on the couch and turn on Netflix. We used to go to the theatres but in a COVID world, these days all our movies are streamed.

Nili Zaharony is a Go Ask Mom contributor. She is the mom to 3 little ones (ages 5, 3, and 6 months) who keep her constantly on her toes.

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