The Chinese long donut, also known as the "cruller" or "youtiao," is a popular breakfast and snack item in China. This deep-fried dough is long and crispy, with a light and airy texture on the inside. It is often served with congee or soy milk and is a staple in Chinese cuisine. In this article, we will explore the history of the Chinese long donut and provide a step-by-step recipe for making it at home.
The Chinese long donut has a long history, dating back to the Song Dynasty (960-1279 AD). It is believed that it was first created by a scholar named Qiu Guangming, who was exiled to the south of China. With limited resources, he had to come up with a way to stretch the dough to make it last longer. This led to the creation of the long and thin shape of the donut, which became a popular street food item.
A Symbol of Culture
In traditional Chinese culture, the shape of the Chinese long donut symbolizes "the unity of two people." This is because the dough is often twisted and intertwined, representing the bond between two individuals. It is also said to represent the inseparable relationship between the sun and the moon, yin and yang, and heaven and earth.
Modern Day Popularity
Today, the Chinese long donut can be found in nearly every street market and breakfast shop in China. It has also gained popularity in other Asian countries, such as Taiwan, Singapore, and Malaysia. In recent years, it has also become a popular item in Chinese restaurants all over the world.
How to Make Chinese Long Donuts at Home
Ingredients:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1 tbsp sugar
- 1/2 cup water
- Vegetable oil for frying
Instructions:
1. In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, salt, baking powder, baking soda, and sugar. Mix well.
2. Slowly add in the water, mixing until a dough forms.
3. Knead the dough for a few minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic.
4. Cover the dough and let it rest for 20 minutes.
5. Roll out the dough into a long, thin sheet.
6. Cut the dough into strips, about 8-10 inches long.
7. Gently stretch the strips to make them longer and thinner.
8. Heat vegetable oil in a wok or deep frying pan to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
9. Carefully place the dough strips into the hot oil, frying for about 2-3 minutes on each side until golden brown.
10. Once done, remove the donuts from the oil and let them cool on a paper towel to absorb excess oil.
11. Serve hot with congee or soy milk. Featured keywords: Chinese long donut, cruller, youtiao, breakfast, snack, deep-fried, light and airy, staple, history, step-by-step recipe, origins, symbol, culture, unity, popular, street food, traditional, modern day, homemade, ingredients, instructions, all-purpose flour, vegetable oil, frying.
