Spring cake is a very distinctive traditional Chinese food, whose history can be traced back thousands of years. Spring cakes are thin cakes made of flour, usually accompanied by various toppings such as chopped green onions, sauces and meat. On the day of the first spring, people would gather together and savor spring cakes to celebrate the arrival of spring.
The custom of eating spring cakes on the first day of spring is very popular throughout China. But what dishes to serve with them to better complement the spring cakes? Below I will introduce a few common ways to serve them.
The first is stir-fried vegetables with spring pancakes. In the northern region, people like to enjoy spring pancakes with a variety of stir-fried vegetables. Stir-fried vegetables can choose vegetables or meat, such as leek scrambled eggs, bean sprouts fried shredded pork and so on. The freshness of the stir-fried vegetables can add layers of texture to the spring pancakes, making them more enjoyable to eat.
Second is shabu-shabu with spring pancakes. In the south, people like to serve spring pancakes with hot pot or shabu-shabu. Shabu-shabu is usually made by blanching various vegetables, tofu, and other ingredients in hot water and served with various sauces. Wrapping the shabu-shabu in the spring pancake adds texture and flavor to the ingredients, giving it a different taste.
Another option is pancake fruit with spring rolls. Pancake fruit is a very popular breakfast food in northern China, which usually consists of pancakes fried to a golden brown color and served with a variety of toppings, such as fritters, eggs, and vegetables. Serving pancake fruit and spring rolls together can blend two different textures, allowing people to enjoy a richer taste experience.
Finally, there is grilled pork with spring pancakes. Roast pork is one of the traditional Chinese cooking methods, which can be made from ingredients such as pork, beef or lamb, marinated and then roasted over charcoal until cooked through. The grilled meat is sliced into thin slices and served with spring pancakes, which can be served with a variety of sauces and vegetables to add layers of flavor and richness to the texture.
In addition to the above pairings, there are many other pairing dishes such as beef in sauce, fried chicken pieces, and fried shrimp. Different regions and personal tastes will have different choices, but no matter what pairing you choose, spring pancakes are essential.
Overall, eating spring cakes on the first day of spring is an important custom in traditional Chinese culture. On the day of the first day of spring, people in both the north and the south choose a variety of different pairing dishes to savor spring cakes. Whether they are stir-fried, shabu-shabu, pancake fruits or grilled meat, they all bring different tastes and culinary experiences to people. Eating spring cakes at the beginning of spring is not only the Chinese people's expectation and celebration of spring, but also the continuation and inheritance of a traditional culture. Let's savor spring cakes and feel the arrival of spring on the day of the first day of spring.