The Museum of Childhood - Chinese New Year 2019

Last month marked Chinese New Year – The year of the Pig, and as my Grandad hailed from Hong Kong, we are always keen to encourage the girls to embrace their heritage, so my Mum and I took them to The Museum of Childhood in Bethnal Green.

As a celebration the museum had teamed up with Mothers Bridge of Love Charity and the Chinese Association of Tower Hamlets to put on a free celebratory day with lots of fun activities taking place throughout the day on the ground floor of the museum.

With mandatory Lion dancing, martial arts and tai chi performances as well as a number of arts and crafts activities available as well as the usual attractions of the museum, it made for a really great couple of hours out with the girls, on a particularly mild February Saturday.

The girls particularly enjoyed the arts and crafts area which included making their own red envelope for ‘lucky money’ and colouring in masks with lots of other children from the area. 

Chinese masks at The Museum of Childhood

There was a stall at the entrance to the museum selling various nik naks such as dragons on a stick and some slightly more expensive items – these cost £1 each so didn’t break the bank.

Bridget's £1 dragon from The Museum of Childhood

Bridget was enthralled by the various folk dancing shows and both the girls loved the dragon dancing too.

Unfortunately, as there was a massive queue to get in we missed out on the fan dance which was participatory for the children, so that was a shame, but it was lovely to see so many people engaged by the event. We queued for about 20-25 minutes.

If you haven’t visited the Museum of Childhood with your children, it is a must visit place in London for a variety of reasons.

Aside from the fact there are lots of things to do for the children, it will also be a walk down memory lane for you too. I absolutely adore the historical side to the museum and seeing not just toys, games and the like from my era of growing up in the eighties and nineties, but from my Mum and Dad’s in the sixties and even my Nan’s in the forties. It’s fascinating and the children stay engaged as it is all toy related. 

Bridget and Beatrice finding the Chinese toys at The Museum of Childhood

Who else remembers that Teapot House from the 1980's? (The Museum of Childhood)

And it's not just displays of old toys either, there are things like historical prams, highchairs and baby related products too, as well as children’s clothing through the ages, which ticked the box for my Mum and made her incredibly nostalgic. 

The girls loved the doll's houses and dressing up in historical attire although unfortunately the lady who was organising this, was so bombarded we didn't get the chance to find out from which era the outfits came from. 

Fancy dress at The Museum of Childhood

Beatrice has recently become interested in Sylvanian Families and they were a big hit at Christmas and her birthday so imagine her delight at seeing a range of them on display.

Beatrice admiring the Sylvanian Families at The Museum of Childhood

The arts and crafts area is a mainstay for the museum too, which is a good little interactive activity to keep the children occupied – I had to drag mine away, despite it being packed, as they can never get enough of colouring in and the like, even though they do it daily at home!

There is a Lego and Duplo play station for children too and the Pirate play area is just fab. As well as a variety of pirate’s hats and accessories to try out, there is also an excellent pirate ship, treasure chest to explore and a few learning Q&A type areas for slightly older children. Once again, I had to drag my children away. 

Pirate Bridget at The Museum of Childhood

Beatrice steering the pirate ship at The Museum of Childhood

My treasures finding treasure at The Museum of Childhood

Bridget on the pirate ship at The Museum of Childhood

We ended our Chinese New Year day out with dim sum in Gerrard Street, Chinatown and enjoyed some more dragon dancing as well as the fabulous and pretty lanterns that adorn the area every year for Chinese New Year. 

Me with the girls at Gerrard Street, Chinatown for Chinese New Year, 2019

My Mum with the girls at Gerrard Street, Chinatown

Bridget with the Lion dancer at Gerrard St, Chinatown

The Museum of Childhood is a great museum and one I’ve enjoyed since my own childhood. It’s perfect for a family day out on either a dry or a rainy day, and if you visit on a bright day and it doesn’t take up too many hours – you’re not far from wonderful Victoria Park which is, in my opinion one of the best parks in London for small children.

Entrance to the museum is free, but works on a donation basis, and they do a variety of groups for storytelling during the week and even at the weekend which are also free. This was our first visit with both of the girls; and I’ll be sure to return soon.

Kung Hei Fat Choy: Pork Potsticker Dumplings

Last week I attempted to make my first ever Chinese dumplings and just have to share the recipe. I used shop-bought wonton wrappers to trial the process and was thoroughly enamoured with the result, although I am told that making the wrappers by hand yields a better dumpling - will try that next time.

These were delicious with some homemade chilli oil but you could make a delicious quick dipping sauce with a 1:1:1 of soy sauce, sesame oil and minced ginger too.

Be sure to buy pork mince that still has some fat as the leaner kinds dry out too quickly.

These dumplings or 'potstickers' are so called due to the cooking process, of frying on one side then adding hot water and allowing them to steam through.

If you're celebrating Chinese New Year then Kung Hei Fat Choy or Happy New Year to you all. 

Pork Potsticker Dumplings

Here's how:

• 1 pack wonton or dumpling wrappers (can buy in any Asian supermarket) 
• 200g minced pork (not the leanest kind) 
• Bunch spring onions
• Bunch chives
• Handful coriander
• 1 large garlic clove
• 1 thunbnail of fresh ginger
• 1 tbsp soy sauce (light) 
• 1 tbsp Shaohsing wine
• 1 tbsp sesame oil
• 1 red chilli 
• 1 tsp Chinese Five Spice 
• 125ml hot water

Firstly in a bowl place the pork.

Now finely slice the spring onions, chives, chilli and coriander and add to the mix.

Mince the garlic and grate the ginger and add both to the pork mixture along with the soy, sesame oil, Shaohsing and five spice and mix well with a spoon or your hands.

Now place each of the wrappers onto a plate and place a heaped teaspoon full of the pork mixture onto each.

Get a cup with some cold water and use a pastry brush to dab each edge and then press down firmly with finger and thumb to close the dumpling.

Once all are prepared add a tbsp more sesame oil to a large pan and place on a medium heat till hot then place each dumpling inside, flat side down and allow to sizzle for two minutes. 

Pork Potsticker Dumplings

Now pour in the water ( 125ml) and place a lid on the pan (if you don't have a lid a plate or baking sheet with do) and allow to steam for 8 minutes. Enjoy!

Happy Chinese New Year: Chinese Chicken with Mushroom and Peppers

Kung Hei Fat Choy to all, or Happy Chinese New Year as we welcome in the year of the Monkey. In honour of the new year, I'd like to share a couple of my favourite Chinese-inspired dishes - the first being a diet-friendly option (as regular readers will know I'm on a fat-fighting, healthy eating quest at the moment), and the second a more gluttonous dumpling recipe.

This dish ticks the comfort food box and is a nod towards the type of dish I might order from a takeaway but is stripped right back to include only a teaspoon of sesame oil, 1 tbsp Shaohsing wine and everything is weighed and measured to adhere to my current 1200 calorie-a-day regime. These smart tweaks have been instrumental in my diet and so far, since 1st January I've managed to shed 10lbs from following this diet (with treats at weekends) and with some yoga, HIIT and general cardio thrown in as and when I can fit it in.

A portion of the below (which serves 2) comes in at 530 calories when served with a 75g portion of cauliflower rice (fried with garlic, ginger, chilli and with fresh chives stirred in before serving) and a 50g serving of Tung Ho or Chinese greens. 

Chinese Chicken with Mushroom & Peppers

Here's how:

• X2 100g chicken breasts or pieces
• 1 heaped tbsp Chinese five spice
• 1 garlic clove
• 1 red chilli
• 40g fresh grated ginger
• 4 tsp sesame oil
• 1 tbsp shaohsing wine
• 20ml light soy sauce
• 1 green pepper
• 100g mushrooms
• 500ml chicken stock (I used Knorr) 
• 1 tsp corn flour

Firstly prepare the chicken by slicing the chicken into bite-sized pieces and placing into a bowl. Now add the Chinese five spice and turn each piece of chicken until it is well coated.

Now for the vegetables - crush the garlic and grate the ginger and add to a wok on a medium heat with the sesame oil. Slice the chilli and add to the wok.

Cut the green pepper into bite sized pieces and slice the mushrooms then set aside for a minute.

If you need to make up the stock do so now.

Once the garlic, ginger and chilli has started to soften, add the chicken and sear each side of every piece. Now add the pepper and mushrooms and allow to stir fry for a minute or two.

Now pour over most of the stock retaining a good couple of spoonfuls. 

Chinese Chicken with Mushroom & Peppers

Add the cornflour to this retained stock and mix well - it will form a thick gluey paste, add to the wok and stir well. This will help to thicken the sauce and create a really lovely thick and aromatic gravy. Cook on low for ten minutes. Enjoy!