Crystal Gate Studs

Crystal Gate Studs

　　Crystal Gate Studs

　　Among the savory snacks of Beijing cuisine, there is the flavorful Gate Stud Meat Pie. There is also a sweet variety called Crystal Gate Studs. Made with leavened dough, the preparation involves mixing well-fermented dough with an appropriate amount of alkaline flour and white sugar until uniform. The dough is then spread flat on paper, steamed in a basket, removed, and allowed to cool. After cooling, it is rolled out, sifted, and mixed with diced pork fat, chopped red and green candied fruits, melon seed kernels, and raisins that have been rinsed with water. These ingredients are then combined with white sugar and osmanthus sugar, and kneaded into a crystal-like filling.

　　The leavened dough is shaped into a long roll, divided into pieces, and each piece is pressed by hand into a round skin with a diameter of 5 cm. Each round skin is filled with 30 grams of filling and wrapped into a shape that is 6.6 cm high and 3.3 cm thick, with a round ball-shaped top and the closure facing downward. After resting for a few minutes, it is steamed in a basket until cooked.

　　The Crystal Gate Studs are white in color, with a semi-transparent filling that is soft, oily, and sweetly fragrant. The Gate Stud Meat Pie is a halal Hui Muslim food, while the Crystal Gate Studs are a Han Chinese dish.