"Immerse in the romance of Qixi Festival with Qiaoguo, the pastry of love. Discover the legend of Zhinü and Niulang, and learn how to craft this symbol of affection with a recipe that transcends time and tradition."
In the soft glow of twilight, beneath the vast canvas of the evening sky, a lone figure stands at the edge of a rippling stream. The water, shimmering under the crescent moon, carries whispers of love once vibrant and full of life. He remembers her laughter, like a melody that once danced upon the breeze, now a haunting echo in the silence of his heart.
They had met under the same stars that now watch over him—a chance encounter that blossomed into love as deep as the night is dark. She was the light to his shadow, the warmth to his cool, the calm to his storm. Together, they were like Zhinü and Niulang, inseparable yet bound by the fates to be apart.
Now, as Qixi approaches, he can’t help but feel the weight of their separation, the longing for her touch, her smile, her presence. He knows that like the legendary lovers, they too are divided by more than just distance; they are separated by the very threads of destiny.
The Legend of Qixi
In the realm of celestial wonders, there once lived a weaver girl named Zhinü, her fingers dancing among the clouds, creating the tapestry of the sky. On Earth, Niulang, a humble cowherd, toiled under the sun, his heart as open as the fields he tended.
Their paths crossed in a moment of fate when Zhinü descended to bathe in a tranquil stream. Niulang, guided by his enchanted ox, beheld her ethereal beauty and felt a connection that transcended the heavens. They fell deeply in love, a love so pure it seemed to halt time itself.
But such bliss was not to last. The heavens, disapproving of their union, tore them apart, placing the vast Milky Way between them. Yet, their love endured, touching the hearts of even the smallest creatures. Once a year, on Qixi, a bridge of magpies forms across the starry river, reuniting the lovers for a single, precious night.
Who wrote the story of Zhinü and Niulang? You might ask. Well, it wasn’t just one person—it was the collective imagination of millions of ancient Chinese folks, who, night after night, gazed up at the vast night skies above them. They saw in the stars a narrative of love and longing. There, in the patterns of the night sky, they found Zhinü and Niulang, separated by the Milky Way, yet destined to meet once a year when the stars aligned just right.
Qiaoguo: The Festival’s Sweetheart.
Qiaoguo, a sweet and crispy pastry with a hint of sesame, is the culinary signature of the Qixi Festival. This delicate treat is made from flour, sesame, sugar, and honey. In the hands of skilled artisans, the dough is shaped into various forms using molds crafted from jujube or pear wood, each piece a work of art.
The connection between Qiaoguo and Qixi runs deep. It’s said that eating Qiaoguo on this day can help the celestial lovers, Zhinü and Niulang, reunite over the Magpie Bridge. The act of sharing or gifting these pastries is a way to send wishes of ingenuity and intelligence.
In some regions, it’s customary for newly married women to bring Qiaoguo from their parent’s home to their husbands’, signifying the blending of families and the sweet journey ahead. Children and women might also throw Qiaoguo onto the roof on the evening of Qixi, hoping that magpies will use them to build the bridge that allows the lovers to meet.
Feeling romantic? Share the tale of Zhinü and Niulang with your partner, and together, create a sweet symbol of your love with this Qiaoguo recipe. Here’s how to make this traditional treat:
Recipe for Romance:
Ingredients:
250 grams of Flour
50 grams of Sugar
20 grams of Milk Powder
130 grams of Milk
2 grams of Yeast
Instructions:
Mix the flour, sugar, and milk powder in a bowl.
Dissolve the yeast in the milk, then pour it into the dry ingredients.
Stir with chopsticks until the mixture becomes flocculent.
Knead the mixture into a dough with a slightly smooth surface.
Cover with plastic wrap and let it ferment at room temperature for about 25 minutes.
After the dough has risen, knead it again until smooth.
Divide the dough into small pieces and press them into wooden molds to create various shapes.
If you don’t have molds, you can shape the dough by hand into traditional symbols of love and togetherness.
Bake in a preheated oven at 180 degrees Celsius for 20-25 minutes until the Qiaoguo is golden brown and crispy.
Enjoy your Qiaoguo as a snack, or string them with a red thread for a festive decoration. This simple yet meaningful pastry is perfect for celebrating the Qixi Festival and your own love story. *Dive deeper into the world of snacks with more stories from 'Taste Journeys: Bites Across Borders'—where every bite tells a story."
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