The Chinese year 4709 begins on Feb. 3, and it’s the Year of the Rabbit. Chinatown will host New Year’s celebrations Friday from 5 to 10 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m., featuring firecrackers, drums, a lion dance, food and entertainment.

Visit www.chinesechamber.com.

In the spirit of Chinese New Year, we’re sharing a few easy recipes, shared with us by friends and guests on our former cooking show, "The Electric Kitchen." The recipes for jai and gau are slightly different from traditional recipes but tasty nonetheless. Kung Hee Fat Choy!

BEIJING STYLE JAI

12 dried black mushrooms
1/2 ounce dried fungus
2 ounces dried lily flower
1/4 cup sesame oil
2 stalks green onions, cut into 1-inch pieces
1 can (10 ounces) vegetarian mock abalone (gluten)
1 can (12-1/2 ounces) bran dough
1 package (4 ounces) fried tofu, sliced
1 can (10 ounces) bamboo shoots, drained and sliced
1/2 cup sliced carrot, blanched
1/2 cup Chinese peas
2 tablespoons soy sauce
2 teaspoons sugar

In hot water, separately soak mushrooms, fungus and lily flower for 30 minutes; drain. Remove stems from mushrooms; cut caps in half. Clean fungus and lily flowers.

In wok, heat sesame oil; saute green onion. Add mushrooms, fungus, lily flower, vegetarian abalone, bran dough, tofu, bamboo shoots, carrot, and peas; stir-fry 3 minutes. Season with soy sauce and sugar. Serves 12.

Approximate nutritional information, per serving: 230 calories, 12 g fat, 2 g saturated fat, 0 mg cholesterol, 500 mg sodium, 23 g carbohydrate, 3 g fiber, 3 g sugar, 8 g protein

MICROWAVE SHANGHAI GAU

1 cup dried red dates (about 1/2 package of 12 ounce size)
1 pound mochiko (sweet rice flour)
3/4 cup sugar
1/2 cup vegetable oil
3/4 to 1 cup water
1/2 cup shelled pine nuts

In saucepan, cover dates with water. Bring to boil, lower heat and cook for 45 minutes or until dates are soft; drain. Remove and discard pits from dates.

Line a 10-by-5-inch microwave dish with plastic wrap. In bowl, combine mochiko, sugar, oil, and water; mix well. Stir in dates and nuts. Pour mixture in prepared dish; cover with plastic wrap.

Rotating dish several times during cooking, microwave on high for 7 minutes. Carefully turn over gau; cook another 3 minutes or until done.

Let stand uncovered about 30 minutes. Pull gau from sides of dish and invert on to platter. Cool and cut into serving pieces. Makes 20 servings.

Approximate nutritional information, per serving: 230 calories, 8 g fat, 1 g saturated fat, 0 mg cholesterol, 0 mg sodium, 38 g carbohydrate, 0 g fiber, 8 g sugar, 3 g protein