
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: WEDNESDAY, January 18, 1995                   TAG: 9501200011
SECTION: EXTRA                    PAGE: 3   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: ALMENA HUGHES FOOD EDITOR
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

YEAR OF THE PIG

According to one legend, the Lord Buddha summoned all animals to come to him before he departed Earth, but only 12 showed. As a reward, the supreme being allowed each animal to contribute its characteristic traits to a year named after it in the order that the animals arrived: rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, sheep, monkey, rooster, dog and pig.

Jan. 31 begins the Year of the Pig, during which the boar will reign supreme in year 4693 on the Chinese lunar calendar.

People born in the Year of the Pig (1923, 1935, 1947, 1959, 1971, 1983 and 1995) are said to be loyal, kind to their loved ones, lucky and successful in handling money, business and academic matters. The down side is that they tend to have quick tempers and, unfortunately, people sometimes take advantage of their innocence and gullibility.

Chinese New Year festivities, which typically last for two weeks, are geared to ensuring that the family has good luck during the coming year. Homes are cleaned from top to bottom to eliminate the old year's dust and to sweep out all evil spirits. Past debts are paid, new clothes are purchased and new utensils and household items are selected. Fire crackers are lit to ward off bad luck and to celebrate the new year. Bright colors, especially red, are favored as symbols of good luck. Sharing warm wishes and good food with family and friends is emphasized.

An often-exchanged greeting during this time is "Gung Hay Fat Choy," which means "Best wishes and congratulations; have a prosperous and good year."

The following recipes featuring - what else? - pork, will be a hit during a new year's celebration and all year round.

recipes for:

PEANUT-CHILI PORK TENDERLOINS

PORK IN MADEIRA SAUCE

CHINATOWN RED-COOKED PORK TREASURES

IVORY, RUBIES AND JADE PORK

HOUSE SPECIAL ORIENTAL PORK CHOPS

by CNB