Yanpi facts for kids
Yanpi (Chinese: 燕皮; pinyin: yànpí; literally "swallow skin") is a special kind of wrapper used in Chinese cooking. It's like a very thin skin for wontons. What makes yanpi unique is that it's made from meat, not just flour!
To make yanpi, lean pork meat, usually from the leg, is mixed with sticky glutinous rice. This mixture is then pounded into a smooth paste. After that, a little starch is added. The meat gives yanpi a chewy texture and a savory taste, a bit like surimi, which is often used in crab sticks.
These thin yanpi wrappers are used to make a type of meat dumpling called bianrouyan (Chinese: 扁肉燕; pinyin: biǎnròuyàn; literally "flat meat"). These dumplings are often served in a special soup called taiping yan. This soup is very important in Fujian, a region in China. People often eat taiping yan on special days and celebrations. Yanpi is especially famous in Northern Fujian, particularly in the city of Putian.
Contents
What is Yanpi?
Yanpi is a unique type of food wrapper. Unlike most wrappers that are made from flour, yanpi is made from meat. It uses lean pork and glutinous rice. This mix is pounded until it becomes a smooth paste. Then, a little starch is added. This process gives yanpi its special texture and flavor. It feels a bit like a very thin, chewy meat sheet.
How is Yanpi Made?
Making yanpi is a careful process.
- First, lean pork meat is chosen. It usually comes from the shanks, which are the lower parts of the pig's legs.
- This meat is then mixed with glutinous rice.
- The mixture is pounded for a long time. This turns it into a fine, smooth paste.
- Finally, a little starch is sprinkled on the paste. This helps to make the wrappers thin and easy to handle.
The result is a very thin, strong wrapper that has a meaty taste.
The History of Yanpi
Yanpi has been a part of Chinese cooking for a long time. It is a traditional food from the Fujian region. For many years, yanpi had to be used fresh. This meant it could not be stored for long.
Who Popularized Yanpi?
In the early 1900s, a person named Wang Shitong (Chinese: 王世統) helped make yanpi more popular. He found a way to dry yanpi. This was a big change! Drying the yanpi meant it could be stored for a long time. People no longer had to use it on the same day it was made. This made yanpi easier to share and enjoy in more places.
How is Yanpi Used?
Yanpi is mainly used to wrap a type of meat dumpling called bianrouyan. These dumplings are a key part of a famous soup.
What is Bianrouyan?
Bianrouyan are small, flat meat dumplings. They are made by wrapping a meat filling inside the thin yanpi skins. Because the wrapper itself is made of meat, these dumplings have a rich, meaty flavor.
What is Taiping Yan Soup?
Taiping yan is a special soup from Fujian. It means "peace and prosperity soup." This soup often includes bianrouyan dumplings. People eat taiping yan on important occasions. It is a symbol of good luck and happiness. For example, it might be served at weddings or New Year celebrations.
