The so-called boat steamed bun is a kind of steamed bun with local characteristics.
This steamed bun with strong local characteristics evolved from the flower steamed bun.
The flower bun was made into the shape of a flat boat, so it got a new name called boat bun.
Chuanmomo is a festive town, and steamed steamed buns are usually made when there is a happy event in the family or during the Chinese New Year.
The process of making boat buns is complicated and extremely time-consuming and fuel-intensive.
But no matter what the conditions are, families must steam a set of ten boat buns during the Chinese New Year or when there is a happy event in the family.
This is a custom and a particular thing. Grandma Su has insisted on steaming a pair of steamed buns every year for decades.
The difference is that when conditions are difficult, the steamed buns will be steamed smaller, and when conditions are good, they will be steamed larger.
Grandma Su added the fermented white flour with alkaline water and kneaded it evenly. After kneading it into a strong texture, she rolled it into a large thin pancake.
Then smear the fragrant sesame and ginger butter on the dough and brush it evenly with a small brush before stopping.
The old lady's expression was very pious, as if she was working on a great project.
"Today we are steaming a pair of big steamed buns measuring one foot two. We haven't steamed such big steamed buns in many years."
As Grandma Su said, she sprinkled the dough with rose powder and bitter bean powder, and finally added a little dry flour and folded it into a fan shape.
Su Xiaotian was washing vegetables and watching Grandma Su making steamed buns.
After watching it for all these years, Su Xiaotian still feels that this process is very pleasing to the eye.
Not to mention the other girls.
Qian Xiaobei and Li Jianhong's families are both in the northwest, and they have seen this kind of steamed buns before, but Qi Xiaofang has never seen it before, and she was just stunned by it.
The steamed buns she knew were not like this.
Her eyes widened and she watched unblinkingly as Grandma Su cut the folded dough into five even strips, and then stacked the cut long strips of dough one by one in order from largest to smallest.
Stack the smallest sharp corners on the top, then take a special chopstick and press a line horizontally and vertically on the surface, and then place the four butterflies pinched out of the dough.
"Grandma Su, your hands are so skillful." Qi Xiaofang couldn't help but sigh.
It’s really enlightening to be able to make steamed buns with such exquisiteness.
"What's the matter? Let's make some small flower rolls later." Grandma Su said with a smile, while putting it in a slightly curved position and steaming it in the pot.
The Su family uses a large steamer with a diameter of 80 centimeters to steam steamed buns. There are five steamers in one layer, and there are exactly ten boat steamed buns in two layers.
A four-layer steamer, two pairs of steamed buns, and twenty buns can be steamed in one pot.
After all the steamed buns were put in the steamer, Grandma Su closed the steamer lid tightly, making sure it was tight and there would be no air leakage.
"Xiaotian, watch the time!"
Su Xiaotian agreed.
At this time, Su Laosan continued to knead the dough, while others had already begun to prepare the buns.
With the concerted efforts of everyone, more than 200 steamed buns were completed in less than half an hour.
These buns can fit three cages.
On the remaining layer, Grandma Su plans to steam some walnut-sized flower rolls.
When the buns were almost done, Grandma Su was already preparing to make the rolls.
Still rolling out the dough first, roll it out as thin as possible, apply turmeric and sesame oil, and roll it into a long strip. Grandma Su picked up the kitchen knife and neatly cut it into evenly sized pieces.
Then, with a twist of the hand and chopsticks, there is a delicate little flower roll, about the same size as a quail egg.
Grandma Su makes flower rolls. There are various kinds of flower rolls with more than ten shapes. She makes a dozen of each type and places them evenly on the large chopping board.
At this time, it’s time for the steamed buns to be cooked.
Qi Xiaofang craned her neck to wait to see the steamed buns coming out of the pan. She was very curious.
Grandma Su took down the steamer layer by layer and set it aside to dry.
Liang Xiu was busy adding water to the big iron pot, and Grandpa Su was adding firewood to the stove.
"Xiaotian, please order some plum blossoms."
Grandma Su gently patted each steamed bun to make it come off the bottom of the steamer, and then she shouted.
Su Xiaotian hurriedly brought edible red and green colors over and dotted clusters of colorful plum blossom spots on the steamed buns.
The originally delicate steamed buns are even more beautiful because of the plum blossom spots.
"Girl, take a look, do you like it?" Grandma Su couldn't help but smile when she saw Qi Xiaofang's eyes widening.
"Grandma Su, why is it a small dessert of plum blossoms?"
"The customs over there, the skill of making steamed buns, are passed down from female to male. Little girls always start by lighting plum blossoms."
Su Xiaotian is already a big girl, but in Grandma Su’s heart, she is still a little granddaughter. Therefore, up to now, Su Xiaotian is still in the stage of ordering plum blossoms!
Is craftsmanship passed down from female to male?
Qi Xiaofang was stunned for a moment, then understood.
The skill of making steamed buns is really not suitable to be passed down to boys.
Her thoughts just jumped for a moment and immediately focused on the boat buns.
The boat buns, which are more than a foot long, have distinct layers that look like they are layer upon layer. They are beautiful in shape and very attractive.
"How do you eat such a big steamed bun?" Qi Xiaofang asked curiously.
"When eating, just cut it into pieces." Su Xiaotian explained: "The pieces of steamed buns have distinct layers and are soft and mellow in the mouth. Even the elderly and children can chew it and it is easy to digest!"
"When I was in the brigade a few years ago, your family would send these to me every Chinese New Year, but I never learned how to make them."
Yu Ruiyuan sighed.
"It was smaller a few years ago, but the taste is really good. The year I first went there, you sent me steamed buns. I still remember the taste!"
Yu Ruiyuan thought about her years in the brigade. Although her life was not very good, looking back now, she felt very warm.
At first, they just thought that people in the countryside were kind and lovely. It was not until they talked about it with other old acquaintances after returning to Beijing that they realized that everyone's circumstances were different.
And meeting the Su family was really a blessing for them.
Because of the Su family's overt and covert care, the old couple hardly suffered compared to others.
Even if I am a little underfed, I am still full, which is pretty good.
What's more, during the Chinese New Year, you can still eat something good. Even in normal times, you can occasionally eat a little meaty food.
When those old friends heard what they said, they all envied the old couple's luck.
"Those years have passed. From now on, our life will be like this boat steamed bun, open and bright!" Grandma Su was afraid that Yu Ruiyuan would be sad again when she thought of those years, so she explained quickly.
Yu Ruiyuan was just expressing her feelings. She didn't want to think about those old things again.
People should always forget what is unhappy and move towards a happy place.
Only by running forward can life be better!
"Chuanmomo is a boat for conveying feelings. If two families can send each other Chuanmomo, they can maintain a relationship for decades. We old sisters have such a bond." Grandma Su smiled.
Now the two families get along well, and they really feel like a family.
As the three girls watched and listened, they suddenly felt that maybe this was the fireworks in the world.
Although trivial, it always makes people feel warm and cozy.
No wonder Xiaotian is so good, she grew up in such a family.