Mid-Autumn Pageant Mooncake Recipe

I went to a Chinese language American elementary college for awhile after I lived in San Francisco. It was a very long time in the past however I nonetheless have a deep appreciation for the tradition and I nonetheless bear in mind how a lot enjoyable it was to take journeys to China City with my mother. Mooncakes are one of many many treats that I bear in mind fondly. Mooncakes are conventional Chinese language pastries which might be usually eaten in the course of the Mid-Autumn Pageant, a vacation celebrating the total moon and harvest. These spherical or sq. muffins are stuffed with varied candy or savory fillings and are sometimes superbly adorned with intricate designs on the highest. Mooncakes are often shared amongst members of the family as a logo of unity and togetherness in the course of the pageant. I can’t wait to share with an incredible recipe for Crimson Bean Mooncakes- my favourite!

The mother-daughter duo Hsiao-Ching Chou and Meilee Riddle are releasing a model new e book on December Third- “Feasts of Good Fortune.” This e book takes readers on a journey by way of the wealthy tapestry of Chinese language time-honored celebrations. Chou and Riddle present uncomplicated recipes, heartfelt anecdotes, and gorgeous images, that invite readers to find out about and expertise these festivals. They supply menus to assist your put together for conventional occasions from Mid-Autumn Pageant to Lunar New Yr. I’m grateful to have obtained permission to share a preview recipe for mooncakes from their new e book with you right here. Feasts of Good Fortune is now obtainable for pre-order by way of my affiliate Amazon hyperlink.

When is Mid-Autumn Pageant? Will probably be celebrated Tuesday, September 17, 2024. However don’t fear, you’ll be able to get pleasure from mooncakes anytime and I received’t inform!

FLAKY RED BEAN MOONCAKES 酥皮紅豆月餅

Recipe and Photograph CREDITS: “Feasts of Good Fortune: 75 Recipes for a Yr of Chinese language American Celebrations, from Lunar New Yr to Mid-Autumn Pageant and Past”, by Hsiao-Ching ChouOn Tour and Meilee Chou Riddle. Revealed by Sasquatch Books, Dec 03, 2024.

This type of mooncake has a flaky crust and is not like the extra generally acknowledged Cantonese-style mooncakes. You’ll be able to fill it with candy or savory components. Crimson bean paste is our go-to taste—with out inclusions, reminiscent of egg yolk. We prefer to hold it easy. You should have leftover crimson bean paste that you should utilize for different functions. So as to add a design to the highest of the mooncakes, you’ll want a cotton swab or rounded make-up applicator swab or a food-safe fine-tipped paintbrush.

MAKES 16 TO 18 MOONCAKES

Elements:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour, divided, plus extra for dusting
• 8 tablespoons very chilly unsalted butter, minimize into 1⁄2 inch cube
• 6 tablespoons chilly water, divided
• 8 tablespoons chilly vegetable shortening
• 1 bundle (about 10 ounces) crimson bean paste, chilled
• 1 to 2 drops crimson meals dye, blended with a drop of water (elective)

Use my affiliate Amazon hyperlink to order the crimson bean paste or discover it at an Asian retailer close to you.

How To Make Mooncakes

First Make Mooncake Dough

■ In a medium bowl, mix 1 cup of the flour with the butter. Utilizing a pastry cutter or your palms, work the butter into the flour, ensuring the butter will get evenly distributed. In case you’re utilizing your palms, you’ll be able to rub the flour-coated items of butter between your fingers to mash them a bit. However don’t go overboard, since you need the butter to remain chilly. Stir in 3 tablespoons of the water, then collect the combination collectively to type a ball. Knead it a couple of occasions to easy it out. Put aside.

■ In one other bowl, mix the remaining 1 cup flour with the vegetable shortening. Much like the butter dough, use a pastry cutter or your palms to work the shortening into the flour till there are not any massive chunks of shortening left. Stir within the remaining 3 tablespoons water, then collect the combination collectively to type a ball. Knead a couple of occasions to easy it out. Roll this dough right into a rope that’s about 12 inches lengthy. Put aside.

■ Mud your work floor with flour. Roll out the butter dough till you may have a rectangle that’s about 12 by 6 inches. Place the rope of shortening dough throughout the center of the rectangle, and wrap the butter dough across the shortening dough. Seal the seam and easy it out by rolling the tube of dough a couple of occasions till you get a rope that’s about 20 inches lengthy. Reduce the dough into sixteen items. Roll every bit right into a ball. Place on a small baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Cowl loosely with plastic wrap and place within the fridge to sit back for not less than half-hour.

■ Preheat the oven to 375 levels F.

Assemble Mooncakes

■ Press a chunk of dough along with your fingers or use a small rolling pin to roll out the dough to about 2 1⁄4 inches in diameter. Add about 1 teaspoon of crimson bean paste. In case you get any in your fingers, make sure you wipe them clear earlier than the subsequent step. Collect the dough across the filling and seal the seam. It received’t look fairly, however that’s okay. Roll between your palms to easy out the seam. Press gently between your palms to create a puck-like form. Set on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Press down gently to flatten the puck as wanted. Repeat with the remaining dough.

■ If you wish to beautify the mooncakes, dip a cotton swab within the food-safe crimson dye combination and dab a design on the tops of the mooncakes. It might be so simple as a couple of dots or a smiley face or one thing extra elaborate. Often, the designs on the mooncakes are ornamental or they denote the filling.

■ Bake the mooncakes for half-hour, or till the underside of the pastry is calmly browned. Let cool for a couple of minutes earlier than making an attempt to eat one. The filling will probably be very popular.

In case you get pleasure from this recipe, don’t neglect to take a look at the Feasts of Good Fortune cookbook. They do an ideal job at making conventional Chinese language recipes accessible. I really like the way you don’t want mooncake molds for this mooncake recipe.

How To Serve Moon Muffins:

Mooncakes are often served at room temperature, and a few individuals additionally want to barely heat or chill them relying on the kind of filling. They’re historically served with Chinese language tea, reminiscent of jasmine, oolong, or pu-erh tea (a must-try, right here is my affiliate hyperlink), which helps steadiness the sweetness of the filling. The tea enhances the expertise and aids in digestion. Since mooncakes are wealthy and flavorful, may be minimize into wedges for sharing. They’re usually loved slowly, with every chunk savored throughout dialog with household or buddies.

Printable Mooncakes Recipe Card

Straightforward Crimson Bean Mooncake Recipe

A scrumptious, easy-to-make crimson bean mooncake recipe. Excellent for Mid-Autumn Pageant.

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Notes

Recipe and Photograph CREDITS: “Feasts of Good Fortune: 75 Recipes for a Yr of Chinese language American Celebrations, from Lunar New Yr to Mid-Autumn Pageant and Past”, by Hsiao-Ching ChouOn Tour and Meilee Chou Riddle.

Elements

• 2 cups all-purpose flour, divided, plus extra for dusting
• 8 tablespoons very chilly unsalted butter, minimize into 1⁄2 inch cube
• 6 tablespoons chilly water, divided
• 8 tablespoons chilly vegetable shortening
• 1 bundle (about 10 ounces) crimson bean paste, chilled
• 1 to 2 drops crimson meals dye, blended with a drop of water (elective)

Directions

1. In a medium bowl, mix 1 cup of the flour with the butter. Utilizing a pastry cutter or your palms, work the butter into the flour, ensuring the butter will get evenly distributed. In case you’re utilizing your palms, you’ll be able to rub the flour-coated items of butter between your fingers to mash them a bit. However don’t go overboard, since you need the butter to remain chilly. Stir in 3 tablespoons of the water, then collect the combination collectively to type a ball. Knead it a couple of occasions to easy it out. Put aside.
2. In one other bowl, mix the remaining 1 cup flour with the vegetable shortening. Much like the butter dough, use a pastry cutter or your palms to work the shortening into the flour till there are not any massive chunks of shortening left. Stir within the remaining 3 tablespoons water, then collect the combination collectively to type a ball. Knead a couple of occasions to easy it out. Roll this dough right into a rope that’s about 12 inches lengthy. Put aside.
3. Mud your work floor with flour. Roll out the butter dough till you may have a rectangle that’s about 12 by 6 inches. Place the rope of shortening dough throughout the center of the rectangle, and wrap the butter dough across the shortening dough. Seal the seam and easy it out by rolling the tube of dough a couple of occasions till you get a rope that’s about 20 inches lengthy. Reduce the dough into sixteen items. Roll every bit right into a ball. Place on a small baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Cowl loosely with plastic wrap and place within the fridge.
4. Chill for not less than half-hour.
5. Preheat the oven to 375 levels F.
6. Press a chunk of dough along with your fingers or use a small rolling pin to roll out the dough to about 2 1⁄4 inches in diameter. Add about 1 teaspoon of crimson bean paste. In case you get any in your fingers, make sure you wipe them clear earlier than the subsequent step. Collect the dough across the filling and seal the seam. It received’t look fairly, however that’s okay. Roll between your palms to easy out the seam. Press gently between your palms to create a puck-like form. Set on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Press down gently to flatten the puck as wanted. Repeat with the remaining dough.
7. If you wish to beautify the mooncakes, dip a cotton swab within the food-safe crimson dye combination and dab a design on the tops of the mooncakes.
8. Bake the mooncakes for half-hour, or till the underside of the pastry is calmly browned. Let cool for a a number of minutes earlier than consuming.

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