Chinese New Year of the Monkey starts on Monday, February 8, this year.

Traditionally, Chinese New Year is celebrated for 15 days, but since most of us have to go back to work, New Year's Eve is considered most important for families, who make an effort to turn up for the reunion dinner and herald in a year of health, good luck and prosperity.

Try these pork money bags, as a symbol of the money you hope will come rolling in this year and every year.

Recipe from Australian Pork.

Chinese pork money bags

500g lean pork mince
100 g green prawn meat, finely chopped
1 tbsp oil
100g shredded cabbage
1 carrot, peeled and grated
1 tsp ginger, grated
1 clove garlic, finely chopped
1 tsp fish sauce
2 tsp dark soy sauce
Pinch Chinese plum salt
¼ tsp white pepper
16 large wonton wrappers
1 egg beaten with 2 tbsp water
Oil for frying

stock for steaming

Heat oil in a frying pan or wok over a medium heat and sauté the cabbage, carrot, ginger and garlic for 2 - 3 minutes.

Remove and put into a large bowl to cool.

Combine the pork mince and prawn meat with the vegetable mixture along with the fish sauce, dark soy sauce, plum salt and white pepper.

Place a spoonful of mixture into the centre of a wonton wrapper and brush edges with beaten egg. Gather the edges to enclose filling.

Place wontons into a bamboo steaming basket, Steam over simmering stock for 5 - 6 minutes. Serve hot with your favourite dipping sauce.

If shallow frying, heat 4 - 5 cm of oil over a medium heat to 180°C. Fry for 5 - 6 minutes, drain and serve with your favourite dipping sauce.

Note: pork is also delicious combined with chopped Chinese sausage or crab meat.