Prosperity Chrysanthemum Pattern
An artistic pumpkin dish shaped like a chrysanthemum, traditionally valued for its healing properties to reduce swelling.
Story
Named for its striking resemblance to a blooming chrysanthemum, this elegant dish transforms simple pumpkin into a symbol of wealth and good fortune. Beyond its visual appeal, it holds a respected place in traditional wellness, cherished for the pumpkin's natural healing properties and its effectiveness in reducing swelling and promoting vitality.
Ingredients
Pumpkin
Flour
Baking powder
Edible alkali
Instructions
1
Step 1
Peel and cut the pumpkin into chunks, steam until cooked, let it cool, place it in a bowl, and mash it with a spoon for later use.
2
Step 2
Put the flour and yeast into a bowl.
3
Step 3
First, use the pumpkin puree to mix the flour into a dough, then decide whether to add water based on the dough's firmness.
4
Step 4
Knead into a smooth dough, cover with plastic wrap, and let it proof. Using the same method, make a plain white dough and let them proof together.
5
Step 5
Pull open the dough to reveal a honeycomb-like texture; the proofing is complete.
6
Step 6
Place the pumpkin dough and the white dough separately on a cutting board, add edible alkali, knead thoroughly to release the air bubbles, and set aside.
7
Step 7
Roll the yellow dough out into a large flat sheet.
8
Step 8
Brush a layer of cooking oil over it.
9
Step 9
Starting from one end, roll it up into a log.
10
Step 10
Use a knife to cut the dough into evenly sized pieces.
11
Step 11
Take two dough pieces, press them together with chopsticks, and use a knife to cut the four corners to create a chrysanthemum shape. Repeat this process to shape all the remaining dough into chrysanthemums.
12
Step 12
Roll the plain white dough out into a large flat sheet and set aside.
13
Step 13
Take a small amount of the pumpkin dough and white dough, roll them into long strips, and set aside.
14
Step 14
Twist the two-colored dough strips together.
15
Step 15
Dip the twisted two-color dough strip in a little water and attach it onto the white dough sheet.
16
Step 16
Attach the prepared chrysanthemum-shaped dough pieces onto the dough sheet.
17
Step 17
Freely combine the shapes according to your preference. Once finished, let the dough rest for later use.
18
Step 18
After the second proofing is complete, place it in a steamer and steam for 12 minutes.
19
Step 19
Once steamed, turn off the heat and let it sit covered for 2-3 minutes.
20
Step 20
Open the lid, take them out to cool, and serve.
Main Dish
Air-Dried Sichuan Peppercorn Duck
Duck legs cured with crushed green Sichuan peppercorns, salt, and baijiu, then hung to air-dry and later steamed. The green peppercorns matter more than regular red ones—their numbing aroma sinks deeper into the meat. A high-proof Chinese liquor works best for the cure.
