The Dish of the month- May 2011 dumpling (饺子jiǎozǐ)
Chinese dumpling is a traditional Chinese Food, which is essential during holidays in
China. Chinese dumpling becomes one of the most widely loved foods in China.
Chinese dumpling is one of the most important foods in Spring Festival. Since the shape of Chinese dumplings is similar to ancient Chinese gold or silver ingots, they symbolize wealth. Traditionally, the members of a family get together to make dumplings during the New Year's Eve. They may hide a coin in one of the dumplings. The person who finds the coin will likely have a good fortune in the New Year. Chinese dumpling is also popular in other Chinese holidays or festivals, so it is part of the Chinese culture or tradition.
History
The history of Chinese dumplings dates back to hundreds of years ago. It is strongly believed that these healthy Chinese food optionshad their origin during the Sung dynasty. Since then, Jiaozi prepared with vegetable and ground meat fillings is served in spring time and most popularly, during Chinese New Year. It forms a major food item in New Year celebration. According to Chinese belief, serving dumplings that copy the ancient Chinese ingots in shape, at the beginning of the year brings wealth to the family. So, the family members gather together and make dumplings in bulk on this auspicious day.
The earliest Dumplings known was made more than 1,300 years ago and was found in a tomb of the Tang Dynasty unearthed in Turpan, Xinjiang in the 1970s. The semicircular dumplings were about five centimeters long. The wrappers were made of flour and the stuffing was made of vegetables. It was almost the same as the jiaozi of today.
* 素馅 sù xiàn dumplings stuffed with vegetables
* 肉馅 ròu xiàn dumplings stuffed with meat
* 醋 cù vinegar
* 一两 yì liǎng 50g
* 一份 yí fèn a plate of
