Qinghai Sanzi

Qinghai Sanzi

　　A snack of the Hui ethnic group, made by boiling water with ingredients such as brown sugar, honey, Sichuan peppercorns, and red onion skins, then mixing it with an appropriate amount of eggs and clarified oil to make dough. The dough is repeatedly kneaded and pressed, rolled into thick strips, twisted into dough balls, and then shaped or stretched into even, uniformly sized, orderly coiled round strands forming ring-like shapes. These are deep-fried in oil until golden brown. In various parts of Ningxia, during festivals and celebrations, Hui women showcase their skills by making a variety of Sanzi in different shapes, adding festivity to the occasion. Nowadays, Sanzi has become a common food item available at many restaurants, breakfast shops, or markets, ready to be purchased at any time.

       Ingredients: Flour 500g, 1 egg, Salt 12g, Vegetable oil 500g (about 100g used)

　　Preparation Method:

　　1. Place the flour in a basin, add about 250 ml of warm water (cool water can be used in hot weather), 1 egg, and 12g of salt. Mix well until the salt dissolves. Knead the mixture by hand until the dough is soft, smooth, and elastic. Cover with a damp cloth and let it rest for 20 minutes.

　　2. Lightly grease the work surface. Place the dough on it and apply another layer of oil on top. Roll the dough out into long strips as thick as chopsticks, then coil them layer by layer into a basin. Apply oil between each layer and roll the entire length into one continuous strip.

　　3. Clamp one end of the dough strip in the V-shaped part of your left hand, use your right hand to wind the dough around the four extended fingers of your left hand 9–10 times. Then take a pair of chopsticks, insert them inside the wound dough ring, hold both ends with both hands, and pull outward to about 20 cm in length. Drop it into oil heated to about 70% hot. As soon as it touches the heat, twist one end into a half-twist, then remove the chopsticks. Continue frying until the shape is set and it turns a persimmon yellow, then remove and it’s done.

　　Product Features: Crispy layered appearance, crispy and fragrant taste upon biting.