Longevity Peach Buns

Showing respect and esteem for the elderly is a tradition that remains today. Nowadays, when grandparents or parents reach the ages of 70, 80 or 90, their children and grandchildren organize ceremonies for longevity. Such celebrations, either large or small, are occasions to show devotion and respect to grandparents and parents. Celebrations for longevity, manifest the family’s joy in having a relative who has been able to lead a long life.

The Chinese God of Longevity, known as Sau, is a symbol of easy life, smooth living, and victory over the strife that life can sometimes cause. A gourd is attached to the end of his staff which is said to hold the elixir of life or immortality. Sau is usually depicted holding a peach, which is the divine fruit of the gods, allowing them to live forever, therefore making Sau Tou/Peach Buns is a must for longevity celebration. Besides having a banquet of which long and thin noodles are served, everyone will be blessed with presents,


a red envelope/lei si, - Good blessings.


a longetivity rice bowl together with a pair of chopsticks - wishing steady income in the future


and


a pair of wooden CLOGS - wishing a successful career ~~ "po po ko sing" which means to rise to the top, step by step.


Read about the story of the Longevity Peach bun HERE

Ingredients:

1/2 + cup water
2 cups bleached flour, remove 2 tbsps and replace with 2 tbsp wheat starch(tung mein fun)
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
2 tbsp sugar
1 tbsp lard/shortening
1 tsp instant yeast
Filling:

300 g Lotus or Red Bean PasteColoring:

Red food color
Green food color
Utensils
Greaseproof paper cut into 2 inch squares
A toothbrush
A large cone 5 inches in height - i made it with heavy duty foilMethod:


For buns:

Put all the ingredients starting with the water and ending with the yeast in the breadmachine and start the dough function.
When the dough function is over, Scale dough at 20 grams per portion.  Take one portion and color it green for the leaves.  Shape into balls and rest for 10 - 15 minutes.

Divide lotus or red bean paste into 15 grams and roll into balls.

Flatten each ball of dough, place in a ball of filling, wrap up and model it into a peach shape. Place onto a piece of greaseproof paper. Repeat with the rest of the dough and fillings.   Roll the green dough portion into a thin layer and cut them into tiny leaves, use the knife to mark the veins.  Wet the leaves with water and adhere to the filled dough.  Let filled dough rest and proof further another 30 - 40 minutes.(friends in Denver, 20 minutes will do)

Steam over medium high heat for 8 minutes.  Use a butter knife or a metal spoon, make a mark at the center of pau to resemble a peach.  Let them cool.

Dip the toothbrush into the red coloring and with the brush facing downwards, run a toothpick or your finger over the brush to spray the buns.

The Big Peach Buns

Ingredients :

Same ingredients as the buns above.Method:

Make as the bun above and when it is ready, take a tiny portion and add in some green coloring.  This is for the leaves.

Grease cone lightly and roll out 160 grams of dough into a size that will fit the cone.  Coil around cone tapering thicker towards the base.  Seal the edges well.

Roll out the green portion and cut into 2 leaves, using a knife to mark the veins.  Wet the leaves and adhere to the base of the bun.

Cover and let it proof for 30 minutes.

Steam bun for 8 - 10 minutes and let it cool.

Spray the bun the same way the little buns were sprayed.