The process of making fresh meat, pickled vegetable, and corn flaky pastry mooncakes is simple and fun, suitable for family participation. To begin, prepare the water-oil dough ingredients: mix 200 grams of flour with 50 grams of oil, 60 grams of water, and 20 grams of sugar, knead until the dough is smooth, and let it rest for 30 minutes. On the other side, prepare the oil dough by kneading 140 grams of flour with 70 grams of oil into a dough, also let it rest for 30 minutes.
The key is in the filling preparation, mix the minced meat with cooking wine, salt, light soy sauce, oyster sauce, sesame oil, minced ginger, chopped scallions, corn kernels, and pickled vegetable pieces thoroughly to blend the flavors.
Once the dough is ready, divide it into approximately 25-gram water-oil dough small balls and 16-gram oil dough small balls. Flatten a piece of water-oil dough, wrap the oil dough inside, use the “tiger mouth” technique to seal the edges, and place it seam side down.
The next steps involve rolling and folding the prepared dough twice: first, roll out the dough into an oval shape, then roll it up, cover with plastic wrap, and let it rest for 15 minutes; then flatten and roll again, repeating the folding action, and resting for the same amount of time.
Before the final shaping, flatten the dough to have a thin edge and a thick center, carefully wrap it with the prepared filling, tighten the edges using the “tiger mouth” technique, gently flatten it for baking.
Preheat the oven to 180 degrees, place the prepared mooncakes inside, and bake for about 25 minutes. Remember to cover the dough with plastic wrap or a damp cloth during each resting period to prevent drying and cracking.
As the Mid-Autumn Festival approaches, witnessing many people making mooncakes themselves, I can’t help but feel eager to try it out. For families who don’t particularly enjoy the overly sweet taste of traditional Cantonese mooncakes, this flaky Suzhou-style mooncake becomes an ideal choice. Especially with the innovative filling of fresh meat, pickled vegetables, and corn, not only is it well-layered and crispy, but each bite is filled with freshness and aroma, receiving continuous praise and becoming an indispensable delicious treat during the holidays.
