The fifteenth day of the first lunar month is the Shangyuan Festival, which is a good day for the blessing of heavenly officials. Legend has it that this is the birthday of the celestial official, and the people have prayed for blessings and auspiciousness in the hope of a peaceful and prosperous new year. This day is also the Lantern Festival, which symbolizes the first full moon of the new year, implying a happy reunion and far-reaching significance. In addition, this day is also accompanied by many traditional customs and exquisiteness, which is rich and colorful.
On the fifteenth day of the first lunar month, the folk are full of rich and diverse traditional activities and customs. People admire the colorful lanterns and guess the interesting lantern riddles. In addition to this, the day is accompanied by some traditional delicacies. On the day of the blessing of the celestial officials, there is a saying that reminds us: "Eat three things on the fifteenth, and good fortune will come naturally", which is intended to emphasize the importance of preserving and passing on these precious traditional customs.
1. Dumplings [Fortune and Treasure].
The old man often said: "Fifteen flat, sixteen round", this sentence is especially popular in the northern region. On the fifteenth day of the first lunar month, people will eat dumplings to celebrate. The shape of the dumpling is like an "ingot", symbolizing the advent of wealth and good luck, implying fortune and treasure, and placing people's expectations and wishes for a better life.
In addition, there is a saying called "get on the car and get off the car noodles", which means eat dumplings before traveling and noodles when you return. This also echoes the custom of eating dumplings on the 15th day, which means to send blessings to those who travel and look forward to a safe return. Therefore, in the northern region, eating dumplings on the fifteenth day of the first lunar month is not only a gastronomic enjoyment, but also a profound cultural tradition and folk customs.
Recommended: Stuffed pork with cabbage
Production process:
1.Soak ginger and green onion water: Soak the ginger, green onion and ingredients in hot water for a while, and set aside when the water temperature is lowered.
2.Prepare the minced pork: Choose pork that is 3 parts fat and 7 parts lean, making sure to add some fat meat for a better taste. After the pork is minced, gradually add the desired condiments, and add the ginger and green onion water that has been brewed earlier in small amounts and several times, always stirring in one direction to ensure that the meat filling fully absorbs the moisture and seasoning.
3.Handle the cabbage filling: After chopping the cabbage, sprinkle with a small amount of salt to help the cabbage release excess water. Then squeeze the cabbage dry, remove excess water, and mix it with the minced meat and stir well.
4.Lock in the moisture of the cabbage filling: Finally, heat the pan and add the appropriate amount of oil, and pour it over the cabbage filling after the oil is hot, which can help lock in the moisture of the cabbage filling and improve the overall taste.
2. Tangyuan [Tuan Tuan Reunion].
In the south, on the fifteenth day of the first lunar month, people enjoy a delicious Lantern Festival. These lantern festival wrappers are made from crisp white glutinous rice on the outside and rich in fillings such as sweet sesame seeds and peanuts. They are not just a food, but also a symbol of family reunion and the sweetness of life. Every Lantern Festival carries people's yearning and expectation for a better life.
Recommendation: Handmade sesame rice balls
Production process:
1.Sauté the peanuts, black sesame seeds and walnuts separately and crush them separately. Prepare glutinous rice flour and warm water.
2.Mix the crushed peanuts, black sesame seeds and walnuts, add an appropriate amount of sugar and lard (or butter), stir well and freeze in the refrigerator until slightly solidified.
3.Pour the glutinous rice flour into a large bowl, gradually add warm water, and stir as you add until it forms a flocculent shape. Roll the dough into small balls and flatten with the palms of your hands, leaving a dimple in the middle.
4.Remove the filling from the refrigerator, take an appropriate amount and put it in the dough nest, seal it by hand and roll it round.
5.Add water to a pot and bring to a boil, add the wrapped rice balls, and cook over medium-low heat until the rice balls float and are cooked through.
3. Hair cake [rising day by day].
As the saying goes: "Rice cakes are indispensable, meaning a happy New Year", tasting rice cakes on the fifteenth day of the first lunar month symbolizes the new year's step-by-step ascension, smooth career, and life full of prosperity and vitality.
Recommended: Brown sugar hair cake
Production process:
1.First, pour the brown sugar into hot water at thirty or forty degrees and stir until dissolved. Next, add an appropriate amount of milk and 5 grams of yeast and mix well. Then, gradually add the flour, stirring as you go, until the batter is about as thin as yogurt. Place the batter in a warm place and allow it to rise to twice its original size.
2.Once the batter has risen, stir vigorously for a while to remove the gas. At the same time, brush a layer of oil evenly on one tray, pour the stirred batter into the tray and flatten it with a spatula or hand. Make sure the batter surface is flat and remove any excess gas again. Then, place the pitted dates on top of the batter and let them ferment for a second time, about 10 minutes.
3.Add enough water to the steamer and place a steaming rack. Once the water is boiling, place the tray with the batter into the steamer and close a lid to prevent water vapor from entering. Then, start the timer and steam over medium heat for 40 minutes. When the time is up, turn off the heat and wait 5 minutes for the heat to dissipate. Finally, open the lid and enjoy the sweet, soft and delicious food!
Hotspot Engine Program