Moon Cakes Food

MOONCAKES

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).

MOON CAKE

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.

MOONCAKES

Steps:

• Gather the ingredients.
• Combine the water and baking soda in a small pot. Bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce heat to medium and continue to boil, about 7 minutes.
• Set aside to cool (watch the pot closely to be sure water doesn't completely boil away. You will need 1/2 teaspoon of lye water substitute for this recipe).
• Gather the ingredients.
• Combine the honey, 1/2 teaspoon lye water substitute, vegetable oil, cake flour, and salt in the bowl of an electric stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Beat on medium-low speed until the mixture comes together into a ball.
• Wrap the dough in plastic and refrigerate, at least 30 minutes. Place the red bean paste in a small bowl. Refrigerate, covered, at least 30 minutes.
• Meanwhile, spray a tiny bit cooking spray onto your work surface, then cover with a piece of plastic wrap. The oil will help the plastic wrap stay in place. The dough is sticky and is much easier to handle with the plastic wrap. It is helpful to wear latex gloves or oil your hands to prevent sticking.
• Divide the chilled dough into 6 equal portions. Roll each portion into a ball. Divide the red bean paste into 6 equal portions. Roll each portion into a ball.
• Dust the top of the plastic wrap with some flour. Flatten each ball of dough into a disk about 1/4-inch thick and place a ball of red bean paste into the center of each.
• Wrap the dough around the paste and pinch the dough together to seal. Roll into a large, smooth, uniform ball.
• Dust the inside of a mooncake mold with flour. Place the filled dough ball into the mold and flatten it to fill the mold.
• Unmold the mooncake onto a parchment-lined baking sheet. Repeat with the remaining portions. Leave at least 2-inches of space between each mooncake.
• Place the baking sheet of mooncakes in the freezer for about 10 minutes. Freezing will help the mooncake retain its shape and design while baking.
• Gather the ingredients. Position a rack in the center of the oven and heat to 375 F.
• Combine the egg, egg yolks, milk, and salt in a small bowl and whisk to combine.
• With a pastry brush , brush the tops and the sides of the mooncakes lightly with the egg wash. Repeat with a second brush of egg wash.
• Bake until the mooncakes are golden brown, 15 to 19 minutes. Let cool completely on the baking sheet before removing and serving.