The Cambodian New Year generally occurs on April 13th – 15th. Dates for the holiday are sometimes adjusted to fall on a weekend. Also known as Chol Chnam Thmey (entering the New Year), the annual event is celebrated during a three day festival including purification ceremonies, temple offerings, traditional games, and a royal procession. The ceremony is intended to welcome the New Year Spirit Tevada Chhnam Thmey.

Nicole Brown is the host of  an upcoming original MCCN show , The Spicy Chick. You may have seen her for the on the red carpet of Cloudy With A Chance of Meatballs (See Celebrity Food Coverage Section) Our host is of Thai heritage and shares that one of her favorite foods is fishcakes.  Here is a Thai Fish Cake recipe with one Northern ingredient added:

• Several sheets of yuba
• A small clump of cooked noodles (rice, soba, something thin)
• 1 julienned carrot
• Spring onion, cut lengthways into 2 inch strips
• Miso paste (light and dark)
• Pickled ginger, slivered
• Peanut oil to deep fry

Ingredients

• 2/3cupSliced Shiitake Mushrooms, by Dynasty
• 1pkgFirm Tofu, by Silken
• 2tbspPotato Starch, by Hinokuni
• 3tbspSoy Sauce – all purpose, by Marukin
• 1tbspManjo Aji Mirin, by Kikkoman
• 1/8tspWhite Pepper Powder
• 4tspVegetable Oil – divided
• 2cupsRice, by Calrose
• 2 Carrots – julienne cut
• 1 Yellow Onion – cut into thin wedges

Way down at the tip of India you willl find this island nation, separate from India, yet close in culture and culinary taste. Sri Lanka is famous for its “white curries” always made with cocunut and cocunut milk, and for its spices and hot peppers. Side dishes of soothing fresh tropical fruit are a pleasing contrast to hot curry. (The Multicultural Cookbook for Students)