Loving the Tiger

Next weekend is filled with the love of Valentine’s Day and Family Day, but did you know there is yet another occasion to celebrate on February 14? That’s right, the Chinese New Year is upon us and this year’s celebration of the Year of the Tiger encompasses two things we hold dear: family and food.

So whether you’re a novice in the area of Asian cuisine or you already know your gobo from your Pho Bo, your first stop should be the new T & T Supermarket at Hunt Club Road and Riverside Drive to get you prepared.

If you haven’t heard of it yet, T & T is Ottawa’s newest and largest grocery store and it specializes in Asian groceries. It’s big, it’s bright, it’s clean and it’s well-stocked. We like to visit when we feel the need to shake up the grocery routine. (When’s the last time you wanted to bring the kids to the grocery store?)

For us, it’s a bit of a walk on the wild side with new discoveries with each visit. Our recent faves include mango mousse cake roll, cook-your-own-soup kits (meat and veggies chopped and ready to dump in a pot for $7.99) as well as sweet cashews with a sprinkling of sesame seeds (look for those in the bakery section). Standard basics include edamame, savoury shrimp chips and Pocky (long straw-shaped biscuits dipped in chocolate).

It’s a smorgasbord for foodies. There’s a bakery, a butcher counter, a seafood department (some of their products are still swimming—always a hit with the kids) and the produce is plentiful with a special focus on Asian greens. Hungry while you’re shopping? Don’t miss the dim sum cart. There is a wide variety from which to choose (fresh or frozen) and you can eat it right on the spot. You might be surprised at what your kids will try.

Ready-to-eat foods are plentiful at T & T, so do check out the options at the sushi, BBQ, and take-out dinner counters, too.

To make your V-Day/Family Day/Chinese New Year celebration even more special, remember to pick up the required sweets and decorations. It is traditional for parents and elders to give young people money in red paper envelopes for Chinese New Year (red symbolizes good luck, and gold symbolizes wealth). The right amount is $8 as it’s considered a lucky number, but we’re sticking with the chocolate coins again this year.

Kung Hei Fat Choi! Wishing you and your loved ones much health, wealth, and happiness in the Year of the Tiger!

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