This year The Chinese Moon Festival is Celebrated on October 6th 2006.
EXPERIENCE THE FEEL..
For some great behind the scenes, real life photographs, take a look at
Mark Goldstein's gallery.
THE STORY
Discover the traditional tales of Chang Er & Wu Kang, the Jade Rabbit ~
ChineseFortuneTeller
It would be great if anyone has a Child friendly version of the story that they can post or link to ..
MOON CAKE RECIPE
Taken from ~
Kuali~recipes
Quote:
Mooncake skin
Ingredients: - 400g golden syrup
- 1/2 tsp bicarbonate of soda
- 1 1/2 tbsp alkaline water (kan sui)
- 100g corn oil
- 550g flour
- A few drops of dark soy sauce
Method:
MIX sieved bicarbonate of soda, golden syrup, alkaline water and oil with a wooden spoon and allow to rest for 4-5 hours in a basin.
Add the dark soy sauce, then fold in sifted flour gradually and mix evenly to form a smooth and soft dough. Let the dough rest for another 6-7 hours.
Divide dough into even balls, each weighing 40-50g.
Footnote:
* When the dough is "well rested" after 5 hours, it hardens a bit and is more elastic. It is also easy to work with.
* The golden syrup is the key factor in ensuring that mooncakes keep longer and the skin does not turn mouldy quickly. The syrup is kept in a cool and dry place and left to mature. It can be made months ahead or kept up to a year.
* Freshly baked mooncakes should be left uncovered so that the free circulation of air around it will slowly soften the skin and help it to mature. This takes 2-3 days.
* Dark soy sauce is used for the pastry dough because it gives a darker shade to the mooncake skin after baking.
Preparation of salted egg yolk
Wash the salted egg yolk and roll over in sesame oil. Steam for 2 minutes. Leave to cool.
Egg glaze - 2 egg yolks
- 1 tsb water
- A pinch of salt
- A drop of dark soy sauce (for colouring)
Mix well before use.
MOUTH-WATERING MORSELS ... From left, Mixed Nuts Mooncake, Red Date Mooncake and Coconut Mooncake. -- Picture by C. Jason
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FINALLY .....
For Crafting activities that you can use for this festival, take a look at our own Chinese New Year eBook
