Golden and Crispy Pastry
The golden and crispy pastry is a popular snack with a golden exterior, delicious and crisp taste. Although the production process is not complicated, the key lies in the recipe. An inferior recipe may result in a less crispy pastry with a different taste. Originating from Shaanxi Province, this snack is not high in calories. Those who enjoy cooking can learn the recipe and make it at home whenever they feel like it. It can also be served as a snack when friends and family come over.
Recipe 1 for the Fragrant and Crispy Pastry
Ingredients:
- Flour: 500g
- Salt: 5g
- Lard (Pork Fat): a small amount
Steps:
1. Heat water to 80°C and mix with most of the flour, ensuring a soft dough.
2. When the dough cools slightly, add cold water to the remaining flour and mix. The dough must be soft (this is crucial). Let it rest for 20 minutes.
3. Spread the dough on a flat surface to a thickness of 3-4mm. Evenly brush lard and salt onto the dough.
4. Roll the dough from one end into a log of 4-6cm diameter. Starting from both ends, roll in opposite directions towards the center, stack, and flatten to a thickness of 5-8mm.
5. Heat a small amount of oil in a wok or pan. Fry the pastry over low heat until cooked through. Remove and serve.
Recipe 2 for the Fragrant and Crispy Pastry
Ingredients:
- Flour
- Eggs
Additional Ingredients:
- Scallions
- Sesame seeds
- Oil
- Salt
- Pepper
Steps:
1. Beat the eggs with a little water and salt, then add to the flour and knead into a dough.
2. Let the dough rest for 10 minutes until smooth.
3. Wash and chop the scallions while the dough rests.
4. Roll the dough into long strips of about 4cm diameter, then cut into egg-sized portions.
5. Dust a surface with flour, take a portion, and roll it into a thin sheet of 2mm thickness. Brush with oil, sprinkle with pepper, sesame seeds, and chopped scallions.
6. Roll the sheet into a long strip, fold it into thirds, press flat, and roll into a cylinder.
7. Flatten the cylinder and roll it into a thin sheet of 2mm thickness again.
8. Heat a little oil in a pan over medium heat. Fry the sheet until slightly golden on the bottom, flip, and continue frying until done.
Recipe 3 for the Sweet and Crispy Pastry
Ingredients:
- Low-gluten flour: 500g
- Sugar (or Salt): a little
- Condensed milk
- Oil
- Water (as needed)
Steps:
1. Mix 450g of flour with water and a suitable amount of oil to form a dough. Knead well for better texture and elasticity.
2. Divide the dough into smaller portions based on the desired size of the pastry. Dust a surface with the remaining flour to prevent sticking. Roll each portion into a thin, round sheet.
3. Spread oil evenly on the sheets, followed by sugar (or salt) and condensed milk. Optionally, add mashed durian pulp for a unique flavor.
4. Roll the sheets into logs, then roll the logs parallel to form circles. Tuck the ends into the center and flatten.
5. Gently roll the flattened dough to your desired thickness. Thicker pastries will be crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, while thinner ones will be crispy throughout.
6. Heat a pan over low heat and add a moderate amount of oil. When the oil is hot, fry the pastries until golden and fully cooked. Remove, slice, and serve.
Origin and Nutritional Information of the Crispy Pastry
The crispy pastry is a traditional snack from Shaanxi Province, China. It has a rich history dating back to the Tang Dynasty and is known as the "First Delicacy of Western Qin." Despite wars and changes over the centuries, it has remained popular to this day. The craftsmanship involves four steps: preparing the crispy filling, kneading the dough, shaping
