Richard Fuku
Mooncake: China & Taiwan
Mooncakes are one of my favourite Chinese desserts made of sweet bean-paste filling with a golden-brown skin. They are traditionally eaten during the Mid-Autumn Festival held on the 15th day of the eighth month in the Chinese calendar. Traditional mooncakes contain one or more salted egg yolks that symbolize the shape of moon, and they have an imprint on the top that signifies the Chinese character for “harmony.” As a child living in Taiwan, I can still remember watching the full moon and eating a lot of mooncakes with my family during the festival; it was always full of fun and laughter. Moreover, barbecue parties are famous among Taiwanese people during the festival. All family members get together for a dinner, watching the full moon, and eating the delicious mooncakes. This joyful atmosphere is the reason why the festival is still so popular. Modern mooncakes are very similar to the traditional mooncakes but differ largely in the type of fillings. They do not require baking and have a wide variety including low fat and ice cream versions. I really like the flavor of modern mooncakes that include green tea, chocolate and coffee. It tastes so good that you definitely have to try it!
THE RECIPE
· Ingredients:
§ 1 can red bean paste (You can get this in Metro Supermarket)
§ 1 cup flour (all-purpose)
§ 3 eggs
§ 1/2 cup sugar
§ 1 teaspoon baking powder
§ 1/2 teaspoons milk powder
§ 1/2 teaspoons salt
· Procedure:
1. Mix red bean paste with sugar into a bowl and set aside.
2. Shift flour, baking powder, milk power, eggs, sugar, salt, and water into another bowl, and use the electric mixer to stir for 15 minutes until the mixture forms the dough.
3. Knead the dough for about 1 minute until it becomes smooth and satiny.
4. Cut the dough into 8 cm pieces and roll them into a ball.
5. Make a hole with your thumb in the center of each dough circle and fill it with 1 teaspoon red bean paste.
6. Place the dough in any mold you want to make the shape of mooncakes.
7. Bake the mooncakes in a pre-heated oven about 375 degree F for 30 minutes until they become golden brown.
8. Transfer to a rack and let cool.
Source
Wow - this is certainly different and probably a bit healthier. The other mooncake recipes I have seen use lard or butter. This doesn't even have oil! Is it dryer than the other recipes? I'm looking for healthier versions for my friends.
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