Welcoming the Year of the Dragon

Tonight China celebrates their New Year to welcome the year of the dragon. China goes by the lunar calendar, which uses the moon to determine dates. Every time we get a full moon, it's the 15th of the month. In my opinion, it would be more accurate because the seasons are affected by the moon, sun, and other natural factors. That would explain the late rain this year. Instead of having a leap day, the calendar has a leap month. When this occurs the month is repeated. Imagine your birthday falling on a leap month, you get to celebrate twice in one year! :)

In honor of the Chinese New Year, I made fried bananas as I've seen at Chinese buffets. They came out delicious, soft and not too sweet.

Fried Bananas
Ingredients
1/2 cup flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
6 tablespoons lukewarm water
4 tablespoon olive oil
2 egg whites
4 bananas
juice of half a lemon

Syrup
1/4 cup of honey
1/2 cup of water
1/4 sugar
1 stick of cinnamon

Directions
1. Mix flour, salt, water and olive oil until smooth.

2. Whip egg whites.

3. Slice bananas and sprinkle with lemon juice to prevent browning.

4. Add egg whites and flour mixture together.
5. Dip bananas into the batter and fry with hot oil until it browns. Transfer to a plate covered with a paper towel to absorb any extra oil.
6. While bananas cool, heat all syrup ingredients on low for 5 minutes. Place bananas in syrup and remove after 30 seconds.
Enjoy!