In Chinese food culture, pies are a popular snack. This delicious food can be eaten for breakfast, snacks or meals, and is loved by everyone for its rich flavor and variety of fillings. There are many techniques used to make a pie, but the dough is the key to making the pie fluffy and delicious. Today, we're going to dive into the detailed tips for making pasta in the evening and making pies in the morning, so you can easily master the process of making this delicious meal.
1. Choose the right material
Before making a pie, you first have to choose the right ingredients. Here are the main ingredients needed to make a leavening pie:
1. Flour: Choose high-bread flour or all-purpose flour, the former is good for chewy pasta, and the latter is fluffier. In general, all-purpose flour is more suitable for pies, as it preserves both the structure of the pie and the delicate texture.
2. Yeast: Dry yeast is the most commonly used option. Make sure the yeast is within the expiration date, so that the fermentation effect can be guaranteed. If fresh yeast is used, measure it according to the instructions for proportions.
3. Water: The temperature of the water is also important. Normally, warm water (about 30-40 degrees Celsius) will speed up yeast fermentation, while cold water will slow down the fermentation process.
4. Salt and sugar: Salt enhances the toughness of the dough, while sugar aids fermentation and flavor.
5. Oil: Cooking oil, such as vegetable oil or lard, can make the crust of the pie crispier and increase the softness of the dough.
Choose the filling
The charm of a pie lies not only in the crust, but also in the rich filling. Depending on personal taste, there are a few common fillings to choose from:
1. Meat filling: pork, beef, chicken, etc., you can add green onions, ginger and garlic to taste according to taste.
2. Vegetarian filling: such as shiitake mushrooms, spinach, tofu, etc., vegetarian fillings can provide rich nutrition and are suitable for vegetarians.
3. Sweet filling: such as red bean paste, honey, cheese, etc., suitable for friends who like sweet tastes.
When choosing fillings, you can match them according to your family's tastes and nutritional needs to ensure that every bite is full of satisfaction.
Second, the steps to make noodles at night
1. Mix noodles
Preparing the dough in the evening is the first step in making a pie. Place the flour in a large bowl, add salt and sugar to taste and stir well. Next, slowly pour in warm water and stir with chopsticks to form a flocculent.
Then, knead the dough into a smooth dough, and when kneading the dough, you can add the right amount of oil to the dough to increase the softness of the dough. Usually, the kneading time is around 10 minutes until the surface of the dough is smooth.
2. Fermentation
Place the kneaded dough in a clean container, cover with a damp cloth or plastic wrap, and place in a warm place to leaven. Usually, after about 1-2 hours of fermentation at room temperature, the dough volume will expand to twice its original size.
If the dough is made at night, after the fermentation is over, the dough can be refrigerated overnight, which can prolong the fermentation time and make the dough more delicate. However, before taking it out, make sure that the room temperature rises to ensure the fermentation effect.
3. Prepare the filling
While the dough is fermenting, you can start preparing the filling. If you choose meat filling, you can chop the meat into minced pieces, add green onions, ginger, garlic, salt, soy sauce and other seasonings, and stir well; If it is a vegetarian filling, you can chop the vegetables, add an appropriate amount of seasoning, mix well and set aside.
If you choose a sweet filling, you can prepare red bean paste or other desserts directly and wait for use.
3. Steps to make a pie in the morning
Once you've picked up the dough in the morning, it's time to start making the pie.
1. Divide the dough
Remove the leavened dough and place it on a floured cutting board, gently pressing to vent. Depending on the size of the pie you want to make, divide the dough into small pieces, usually weighing about 50 grams to 80 grams each.
2. Roll out the dough
Knead each piece of dough into a circle, place it on a cutting board and use a rolling pin to roll it into thin slices, about 10-15 cm in diameter. When rolling the dough, take care to keep the thickness even, so that it can be baked quickly and ensure that the heat is evenly distributed.
3. Stuffing
Place the appropriate amount of filling in the center of the dough, being careful not to put too much to avoid not being able to wrap it up. Pinch the edges of the dough together and close tightly. You can choose to turn the edge slightly to make sure the stitch is tight, which will prevent the filling from leaking during baking or frying.
4. Pancakes and baking
There are many ways to make pies, the most common being pan-frying and baking.
Frying
Pour an appropriate amount of cooking oil into the pan and when the oil temperature rises, put the wrapped pie into the pan. Fry over medium-low heat until the bottom is golden brown, then turn over and continue frying. To cook the pie through, add a little water, cover the pot and simmer for a few minutes until cooked through. The fried pie is golden and crispy on the outside and soft and delicious on the inside.
roast
If you choose to bake, you can place the wrapped pie in a baking dish, preheat the oven to 180 degrees, and bake for about 15-20 minutes until the surface is golden brown. During the baking process, you can choose to brush with a layer of egg wash to make the surface brighter.
5. Remove from the pan and enjoy
Once the pancakes are served, use a paper towel to absorb any excess oil. It can be served with soy sauce, hot sauce, or vinegar for added flavor. Hot pies with a crispy crust and a rich filling inside make them the perfect choice for breakfast or a snack.
Fourth, common problems and solutions in actual operation
The production process is always accompanied by various problems, here are some common problems and how to fix them:
1. The dough doesn't rise
If the dough does not rise sufficiently, it may be caused by yeast failure or improper water temperature. The solution is to check the expiration date of the yeast and make sure the water temperature is moderate. Usually warm water (30-40 degrees Celsius) is used to effectively activate yeast.
2. Leaky pie filling
If the wrapped pie leaks when cooking, it may be that the wrapping is not tight or the dough is too thin. The solution is: make sure that the seal is tight when kneading, you can use wet hands to increase the adhesion, and also pay attention to maintaining a certain thickness when rolling the dough.
3. Fry the pies
When frying the pie, if the heat is too large, it will cause the outside to be charred and the inside grows, so it is recommended to use medium-low heat to fry it. You can add a small amount of water to the frying and simmer with a lid on the pot, which can not only cook the inside thoroughly, but also avoid the problem of scorching on the outside.
4. The filling is not flavorful enough
If the prepared filling lacks flavor, marinate the meat or vegetables in advance, stir well with the seasoning, and let it sit for 30 minutes to allow it to absorb the flavor. In addition, some soy sauce, oyster sauce and other condiments can be added to the filling.
5. Tips for making pies
1. The dough fermentation time can be moderately extended, which will make the dough more gluten and the pie taste better.
2. Use different combinations of fillings, such as meat mixed with vegetables, which not only adds depth to the flavor but also improves the nutritional value.
3. Clean the tools in time, prepare all kinds of tools in advance during the production process, and clean them in time after use to ensure hygiene and smooth operation.
4. Control the amount of oil, in order to preserve the softness of the pie, you can moderately reduce the amount of oil during frying.
The skills of making noodles in the evening and pies in the morning may seem simple, but they contain a wealth of knowledge and delicate steps. By mastering these tips, you can easily make delicious pies at home and enjoy the charm of traditional cuisine. Whether it's for breakfast, lunch or a leisurely afternoon snack, pies full of ingredients and love can add warmth and happiness to your life. We hope you can follow these steps to create your own delicious pie to share with your family and friends and have a great time.