Making sweet potato stuffed mooncakes is not only a delicious treat but also takes into account nutritional health. To begin this unique journey, first prepare the ingredients: sweet potatoes and mung beans. Rinse the mung beans thoroughly and soak them in water for an hour. Then, place them in a pot, add plenty of water, and patiently boil until the beans become soft and sticky. Mix the cooked mung beans with an appropriate amount of sugar, stirring gently to allow the sweetness to permeate fully. Let them rest for ten minutes to enhance the flavor.
Meanwhile, select fresh sweet potatoes, peel and slice them, and place them in a steamer until completely cooked. After steaming, mix the sweet potatoes with condensed milk and stir gently until they transform into a smooth sweet potato puree. Next, blend this sweet mung bean mixture into the sweet potato puree, intertwining the two to create a unique filling.
Once the filling is ready, take a portion of the mung bean sweet potato mixture and wrap it around red bean paste, carefully pinching the edges to ensure each mooncake is plump and tempting. Meanwhile, the preparation for the dough is also underway: in a bowl, combine syrup, alkaline water, and peanut oil, stirring well. Gradually sift in the flour while continuing to mix until it forms a smooth dough. Let the dough rest for one hour to relax.
After the resting period, divide the dough into several small portions, rolling each into a thin skin that gently wraps around the prepared filling, sealing the edges delicately. Using a mooncake mold, imprint delicate designs onto each wrapped mooncake, arranging them neatly, waiting for their baking journey.
Once the mooncakes are shaped, lightly mist the surface with a spray bottle, and place them in a preheated oven at 200 degrees Celsius for an initial bake of 5 minutes. Next, take the mooncakes out, brush a layer of egg wash over them, and return them to the oven, continuing to bake at the same temperature for another 15 minutes until golden and fragrant.
Sweet potatoes not only add flavor to this dessert, but their nutritional value is also significant. The mucilage proteins they contain help maintain vascular elasticity and combat arteriosclerosis. The β-carotene and vitamin C found in sweet potatoes are powerful antioxidants that can help prevent cancer and promote a healthy immune system. Additionally, the rich dietary fiber in sweet potatoes aids in intestinal peristalsis, effectively relieving constipation, while their feeling of fullness helps control diet for those pursuing a healthy physique and assist in weight loss. Sweet potatoes are also excellent for replenishing energy and nourishing the body, particularly suitable for those with malnutrition or weak spleens and stomachs. The chlorogenic acid within them is a beauty elixir that can inhibit skin aging and maintain youthful vitality.
Thus, this sweet potato stuffed mooncake is not only a sweet delight for the festival but also a healthy choice for everyday life.
