MOONCAKES
Mooncakes are traditionally enjoyed during the Chinese and Vietnamese Mid-Autumn Festival, when families gather to give thanks for the harvest and pray for longevity and good fortune. Making and sharing mooncakes is one of the hallmark of this festival (some even call it the Mooncake Festival!). In Chinese culture, a round shape symbolizes completeness and reunion, and sharing the round pastries with relatives signifies the unity of families. The pastries are made of a tender dough stuffed with a sweet filling -- often lotus seed paste or red bean paste. The top of each mooncake has an intricate design, achieved by pressing the pastry into a mold; traditional molds are shaped like wooden paddles, modern presses are spring-loaded and made of plastic. Bakeries stamp their mooncakes with their own designs; flowers, vines and moons are common. Every family has its favorite version of the pastry, based on passed-down recipes or where they like to buy the cakes. Our take is filled with white lotus paste, made by boiling and pureeing dried lotus seeds that you then cook with caramelized sugar. To set the beautiful stamped design, we bake the mooncakes for 10 minutes before brushing them with egg wash (the key to their glossy finish).
Provided by Food Network Kitchen
Time 11h55m
Yield 12 mooncakes
Number Of Ingredients 9
Steps:
- For the lotus paste: Place the dried lotus seeds in a medium bowl and cover with plenty of room temperature water. Let the seeds soak and rehydrate for at least 6 hours, and preferably overnight.
- Rinse the lotus seeds under cold water, then split them in half to remove and discard the green sprout in the center (they are very bitter). Transfer the seeds to a large pot and fill with plenty of water. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce to medium-low and simmer until the seeds are tender enough to smash with a fork, about 1 hour. Drain well, then transfer the seeds to a food processor while they are still warm, add 3/4 cup sugar and puree until very smooth. (Add 1 to 2 tablespoons water if necessary to get a very smooth texture). Strain through a fine mesh sieve into a medium bowl.
- Melt 1 tablespoon vegetable shortening and the remaining 2 tablespoons sugar in a medium nonstick skillet over medium-high heat, then cook until caramelized and deep golden, about 5 minutes. Add the lotus puree and cook, stirring continuously, until most of the moisture has been cooked out and the puree is similar in texture to thick mashed potatoes, 6 to 8 minutes. Add the remaining 1/3 cup vegetable shortening, then continue to cook, stirring continuously, until all of the shortening has fully incorporated and the paste is very thick, glossy and pulls away from the sides of the pan, about 6 minutes more. (The final lotus paste should be amber brown in color and almost stretchy in texture.) Transfer to a medium bowl and let cool completely.
- For the mooncake dough: Meanwhile, whisk together the golden syrup, alkaline water and vegetable oil in a large bowl until combined. Add the cake and all-purpose flours, then stir with a wooden spoon until a shaggy dough forms. Gently knead the dough until it comes together completely, then wrap in plastic wrap and set aside to rest, about 45 minutes.
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Divide the lotus paste into 12 equal pieces (each about 2 1/2 tablespoons) and roll into golf ball-size balls. Place on a plate and chill in the refrigerator, 20 to 30 minutes. The colder the balls, the easier it will be to shape the mooncakes.
- Roll about 1 tablespoon of the mooncake dough into a ball, then place between 2 pieces of parchment paper that have been lightly dusted with flour. Use a rolling pin to flatten the dough to about 1/8 inch thick and 3 1/2 to 4 inches wide. Place one of the lotus paste balls in the center of the dough, and shape the dough around it, pinching the edges to seal. Roll the ball in your hands to smooth the exterior.
- Place the assembled ball in a plastic 2-inch wide miniature mooncake press mold, then turn the press upright on your work surface. Press the plunger down until you feel resistance, then lift the mooncake mold off the table and use the plunger to carefully press the mooncake out. Transfer to the prepared baking sheet, then refrigerate while you make the remaining mooncakes in the same manner.
- Bake the mooncakes until the tops are no longer shiny and the dough has just set, 10 to 12 minutes. Let cool 10 minutes. Whisk the egg together with a splash of water in a small bowl, then brush over the tops and sides of each mooncake. Return to the oven and bake until deep golden brown, 10 to 15 minutes more. Let cool on the baking sheet 10 minutes, then transfer to a rack to cool completely. Enjoy fresh or store in an airtight container for 2 days (they'll get shinier as they sit).
CHINESE MOON CAKE
Steps:
- Filling Instructions: Soak red beans in water to cover 2 hours. Drain and discard the water. Cover with 8 cups fresh water and bring to a boil, then simmer over low heat 1-1/2 hours or until skins open. Strain the beans and discard the skins. Place the strained beans in several layers of cheesecloth and squeeze out any excess water.
- Place in a saucepan with the lard or oil and the sugar. Cook, stirring continuously, until almost all the moisture has evaporated. Let cool.
- Dough Instructions: You will need 2 cups of filling for the moon cakes. Divide this into 20 portions and shape into balls. Mix ingredients for the water-shortening dough and the flaky dough separately until smooth. Divide each dough into 20 equal portions.
- Wrap one portion of flaky dough inside each portion of water-shortening dough. Roll out each piece of dough, then fold in thirds to form three layers. Roll out again, and once more fold in thirds to form three layers. Flatten each piece of dough with the palm of your hand to form a 3" circle. Place one portion of filling in the center. Gather the edges to enclose the filling and pinch to seal. Place the filled packet in the mold, gently pressing to fit. Invert and remove the mold.
- Dilute red food coloring with water and pour onto a damp paper towel on a plate. Take some food coloring onto the cookie-design stamp, then press on top of the moon cake. Repeat process for remaining moon cakes. Arrange moon cakes on a baking sheet.
- Bake 20 minutes at 350 degrees F. Let cool before serving.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 0 g, Fat 0 g, SaturatedFat 0 g, TransFat 0 g, Cholesterol 0 g, Sodium 0 g, Carbohydrate 0 g, Fiber 0 g, Sugar 0 g, Protein 0 g
MOON CAKE
I have six grandchildren and this is one of their favorite desserts. If I don't take it to potlucks, I hear lots of groans! Everyone wants the recipe after they've tried it.
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Desserts
Time 50m
Yield about 15 servings.
Number Of Ingredients 13
Steps:
- In a saucepan, bring water and butter to a boil. Add flour all at once and stir until mixture forms a ball. Remove from heat and cool slightly. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition., Spread on a greased 15x10x1-in. jelly roll pan. Bake at 400° for 30 minutes. Cool but do not prick, leaving surface with its "moon-like" appearance. , Meanwhile, for filling, beat pudding and milk until thick. Add cream cheese; blend well. Spread on crust; refrigerate 20 minutes. Top with whipped topping. Drizzle chocolate sauce over top and sprinkle with nuts.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 253 calories, Fat 17g fat (11g saturated fat), Cholesterol 96mg cholesterol, Sodium 238mg sodium, Carbohydrate 19g carbohydrate (9g sugars, Fiber 0 fiber), Protein 5g protein.
CHINESE HARVEST MOON COOKIES
A variation of Chinese harvest moon cakes, I found this in "China : the culture" book. Very tasty and rich, so be careful! add more vanilla, if you so wish.
Provided by coconut.fiend.
Categories Dessert
Time 22m
Yield 2 dozen
Number Of Ingredients 5
Steps:
- Combine all ingredients in a large bowl. mix well.
- roll desired sized balls with your palms and press them onto a cookie sheet. they not expand that much, so be specific.
- bake at 350F for 13 - 15 minutes, depending on your preference.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 1432.7, Fat 128.3, SaturatedFat 61.1, Cholesterol 244, Sodium 945.5, Carbohydrate 64.7, Fiber 8.4, Sugar 54, Protein 16.2
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