Thursday, September 19, 2013

Happy Mid-Autumn Festival!


moon

Today, September 19th, is Mid-Autumn Festival (中秋節 in Chinese).  It’s a popular harvest festival celebrated by Chinese and Vietnamese, dating back over 3,000 years.  The Mid-Autumn Festival is held on the 15th day of the eighth month in the Chinese calendar, which is usually around late September or early October in the Gregorian calendar.   The moon is supposedly at its fullest and roundest.  When my Little Boy saw how bright and round the moon was a couple nights ago, he already requested to have dessert out in the back yard area after dinner on the day of Mid-Autumn Festival.  That’s what we did in the past few years as well.   

 Moon Cakes

Since I didn’t make a new moon cake recipe this year for Mid-Autumn Festival, I just wanted to share with you what we had in the past few years.  Such as these traditional moon cakes from the picture above.  Click here to see similar product.

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Or these Ice-Skin Mooncakes that I made a couple years ago.   They were made with Matcha (Green Tea) Powder and pomegranate juice, so the colors are all natural.  Click here for the recipe.  If you’re feeling adventurous and want to make your own moon cakes, check out these moon cake molds here.


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Or, try these Dark Chocolate Panna Cotta that I made from last year.  I know, they are not quite the traditional type of Mid-Autumn Festival food but a scrumptious one.  Click here for the recipe.

Black Sesame Seed Mochi


But very likely, I’m going to make my family’s favorite Asian dessert/snacks:  Black Sesame Seed Mochi!  Please click here for the recipe.  I know my kids will have fun help rolling the dough and wrapping these mochi with me. 

Last but not least, I want to wish you all a wonderful Mid-Autumn Festival, 中秋節快樂 and 人月兩團圓.  Until next time, take care.
Posted by Amy at 12:00 AM
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84 comments:

  1. Nava KSeptember 19, 2013 at 1:58 AM

    Simply gorgeous, those you have made and shared here. These days there are so many types of moon cakes and I love each of it.

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    1. AmyOctober 3, 2013 at 11:41 AM

      Thank you, Navaneetham. Glad you like my mooncakes. :)

      Delete
  2. easyfoodsmithSeptember 19, 2013 at 2:04 AM

    I have so often heard of moon cakes but never got to taste one. I need to hunt for the moulds to begin with.

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    1. AmyOctober 3, 2013 at 11:44 AM

      :) Oh yeah...they are quite easy to make. The molds are available online if you need one. Here's one for your reference:
      http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00AQPKX1U/ref=as_li_tf_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B00AQPKX1U&linkCode=as2&tag=a0464-20

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  3. Laurel y MentaSeptember 19, 2013 at 2:22 AM

    Amy, wonderful post. Thank you so much for sharing these desserts.
    All of them are delicious.
    We never heard about tris popular festival.
    Enjoy it and have a nice weekend too.

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    1. AmyOctober 3, 2013 at 11:46 AM

      Thank you, Laurel. Glad you like these traditional desserts. It's a festival more popular in Asia countries. :) Good I can share a little bit of the tradition here.

      Delete
  4. Tina BradleySeptember 19, 2013 at 3:53 AM

    These sweet treats look so yummy! And, I'm thrilled to have learned of the Mid-Autumn Festival (the moon has indeed been gorgeous these past few nights!)! Have a wonderful celebration! Hugs & joy, T. http://tickledpinkwoman.blogspot.com

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    1. AmyOctober 3, 2013 at 11:49 AM

      Thank you, Tina. Glad you enjoyed the gorgeous moon and these little sweet treats. :) have a wonderful rest of the week.

      Delete
  5. ann lowSeptember 19, 2013 at 5:13 AM

    Hi Amy, 中秋节快乐!
    Love all your lovely food and pictures!

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    1. AmyOctober 3, 2013 at 11:51 AM

      Sorry for the late reply, Ann. Thank you so much. Hope you had a wonderful celebration too.

      Delete
  6. Esther LauSeptember 19, 2013 at 5:27 AM

    Hi Amy,Happy Mid Autumn Festival to you and your family :)

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    1. AmyOctober 3, 2013 at 11:53 AM

      Sorry for the late reply, Esther. Trying to catch up with my message and replies. :) Thank you so much. Hope you had a great one with your family too.

      Delete
  7. La Table De NanaSeptember 19, 2013 at 5:30 AM

    I have always found the first Moon Cakes.. so beautiful..yours are just lovely in those prestty colors..Happy Mid Autumn Festival to you and yours..~

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    1. AmyOctober 3, 2013 at 11:56 AM

      Thank you. Glad you love these moon cakes. :) We had a wonderful gathering with the family and in-laws. Love the festivals.
      have a wonderful rest of the week. take care.

      Delete
  8. AmeliaSeptember 19, 2013 at 5:41 AM

    Hi Amy, happy mid autumn festival. Your moon cakes look beautiful and delightful.

    Have a nice day

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    1. AmyOctober 3, 2013 at 8:03 PM

      Sorry for the late reply, Amelia. Hope you had a wonderful celebration with your family too. :)

      Delete
  9. MonicaSeptember 19, 2013 at 6:04 AM

    Happy Mid Autumn Festival to you, too, Amy! Funny enough, I let my son have some moon cake for breakfast this morning! He was so excited that grandma gave him some yesterday that I couldn't resist. : ) I think we'll have to take some outside tonight to check out the moon. I love all your moon cake and other dessert recipes. It's so wonderful that you can make all these Chinese desserts and share them with your kids.

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    1. AmyOctober 4, 2013 at 11:13 PM

      Hehe...Moon cake for breakfast! Your son is spoiled. :P I only let my kids eat them as desserts. Hope you had a wonderful celebration.

      Delete
  10. Personalized Sketches and SentimentsSeptember 19, 2013 at 7:18 AM

    Amy, These all look so beautiful! How about ...if you all just move to Kentucky, near our place :o)

    What a fun treat to eat under the light of a full moon :o)

    Blessings & Aloha!

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    1. AmyOctober 4, 2013 at 11:24 PM

      Thank you, Dear. Glad you like my desserts. :) Hm....Kentucky sounds like fun. Or, you can consider moving to CA too. hehehe....we've got the sunshine all the time! Have a lovely weekend.

      Delete
  11. Divya ShivaramanSeptember 19, 2013 at 7:57 AM

    love the moon click...and that wonderful little treats are sure something to be bookmarked....wow..varieties of desserts from your home country...how good to see that blogging has helped me know the world food in no time

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    1. AmyOctober 5, 2013 at 9:41 AM

      Thank you.. Glad you like these little treats I'm sharing. I agree, blogging and visiting other blogs really broaden my culinary horizon! :) Have a wonderful weekend.

      Delete
  12. Jozelyn NgSeptember 19, 2013 at 8:27 AM

    Happy mooncake festivals to you, Amy!

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    1. AmyOctober 5, 2013 at 10:16 AM

      Thank you, Jozelyn. Hope you had a nice celebration with your family too.

      Delete
  13. Cooking QuidnuncSeptember 19, 2013 at 8:56 AM

    Happy Mid Autumn Festival! Look like there are some great little treats.

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    1. AmyOctober 5, 2013 at 10:25 AM

      Thank you, Natalie. Glad you like these little treats. :) Have a lovely weekend.

      Delete
  14. BlackswanSeptember 19, 2013 at 9:09 AM

    Mid-Autumn Festival, Amy! That's a wonderful round-up! It has been a quiet evening for us this year. Nonetheless, we'd an early mooncake tasting few weeks ago :)

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    1. AmyOctober 5, 2013 at 10:34 AM

      Thank you so much, Shirley. Sorry for the late reply as I'm behind on replying email and messages. :P It's nice to spend it as a quiet evening. :) Have a wonderful weekend.

      Delete
  15. UnknownSeptember 19, 2013 at 9:45 AM

    Happy mid autum festival.

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    1. AmyOctober 5, 2013 at 10:43 AM

      Thank you, Xing Hui. Hope you had a wonderful celebration. Have a great weekend.

      Delete
  16. Sweet'n'SavourySeptember 19, 2013 at 10:00 AM

    I wish we got some of those lovely moon cake moulds here..lovely post

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    1. AmyOctober 5, 2013 at 10:56 AM

      Thank you, Amrita. They are available online too if you're interested. :) These treats are quite fun to make.

      Delete
  17. Anna and Liz RecipesSeptember 19, 2013 at 10:14 AM

    Amy, these treats look wonderful and perfect for any festival! Yummy! so here's to you - Happy Mid Autumn festival - it sounds like fun!

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    1. AmyOctober 5, 2013 at 11:02 AM

      Thank you, Anna and Liz. Glad you like my little treats. Have a wonderful weekend.

      Delete
  18. ｒｉｋａ＠ｖｍSeptember 19, 2013 at 12:27 PM

    Happy Mid-Autumn Festival, Amy! I saw loads of moon cakes at an Asian supermarket in Chinatown, Buenos Aires.

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    1. AmyOctober 5, 2013 at 11:06 AM

      Thank you so much. Oh yeah...it was those time of the year with moon cakes everywhere. :) Have a beautiful weekend.

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  19. ~ Nee ~September 19, 2013 at 2:22 PM

    Hi Amy , your mooncakes looks so delicious , Happy Mid Autumn festival to you thaks for sharing :).

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    1. AmyOctober 5, 2013 at 11:11 AM

      Thank you, Nee. Glad you like the treats. Have a wonderful weekend.

      Delete
  20. greenthumbSeptember 19, 2013 at 3:29 PM

    I was just looking at the moon this morning as I was out walking , so pretty. Ll your food looks so good.

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    1. AmyOctober 5, 2013 at 11:27 AM

      I know...the moon was lovely. thank you so much, I'm glad you love my sweet treats. Have a wonderful weekend.

      Delete
  21. Karen HarrisSeptember 19, 2013 at 7:13 PM

    And to you as well! What lovely dishes to celebrate.

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    1. AmyOctober 5, 2013 at 11:30 AM

      Thank you, Karen. Glad you love these treats. Have a wonderful weekend.

      Delete
  22. Angie's RecipesSeptember 19, 2013 at 8:55 PM

    Gorgeous traditional mooncakes! Happy Mid-Autumn Festival to you and yours too.

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    1. AmyOctober 5, 2013 at 1:45 PM

      Thank you so much, Angie.Hope you had a wonderful celebration too. :) Have a great weekend.

      Delete
  23. UnknownSeptember 19, 2013 at 9:29 PM

    Happy festival! I love moon cake with any kind of filling. your cakes look beautiful Amy. Enjoy the celebrations and looking forward to learning more about this festival.

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    1. AmyOctober 5, 2013 at 2:33 PM

      Thank you, Asha. Glad you love these little treats I created. :) Have a lovely weekend.

      Delete
  24. Kalyan PanjaSeptember 19, 2013 at 10:02 PM

    Just mouthwatering...looks delicious!

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    1. AmyOctober 5, 2013 at 3:23 PM

      Thank you, Kalyan. :) Wish you a lovely weekend.

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  25. AllaSeptember 20, 2013 at 4:15 AM

    This is the great thing about multiculturalism (is that a word?) you can always be PARTYING! yey for the mid-Autumn festival! I've had the black seed mochi before and they're so delectable! and cute!

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    1. AmyOctober 5, 2013 at 4:34 PM

      Multiculturalism is a word in my book and my life. ;) Glad you like the mochi. Those are my kids' favorites.

      Delete
  26. Ashley @ Wishes and DishesSeptember 20, 2013 at 8:41 AM

    I hope you had a great time at the festival! It sounds like fun!

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    1. AmyOctober 6, 2013 at 1:26 PM

      Oh yes we did. thank you so much, Ashley. :)

      Delete
  27. The Ninja BakerSeptember 20, 2013 at 3:04 PM

    May I have one of each please? Seriously, Amy, your Mid-Autumn moon cakes rival any sold in a pastry store. Bravo!

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    1. AmyOctober 6, 2013 at 2:00 PM

      Thank you, Dear. Glad you like my homemade treats. :)

      Delete
  28. AnonymousSeptember 20, 2013 at 5:13 PM

    I hope you had a great time with your family enjoying the festival.

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    1. AmyOctober 6, 2013 at 2:08 PM

      Oh thank you so much. we had a quiet and great time with the family. :)

      Delete
  29. Ann JonesSeptember 21, 2013 at 4:18 AM

    I love moon cakes! I haven't had very many good ones since moving from Seattle though :) Your photos are gorgeous as always :)

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    1. AmyOctober 6, 2013 at 2:13 PM

      Thank you, Ann. Glad you like my photos. :)

      Delete
  30. myinnerchick.comSeptember 21, 2013 at 7:15 AM

    Gorgeous.
    You are gifted, creative, and my tummy is growling!
    Love the Ice-Skin Mooncakes. May I have some?! Xxx

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    1. AmyOctober 6, 2013 at 2:30 PM

      Thank you. Glad you like my little sweet treats. :)

      Delete
  31. CQUEKSeptember 21, 2013 at 10:45 AM

    i love moon cakes.. i always buy last minute... they have special discount towards the end

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    1. AmyOctober 6, 2013 at 2:36 PM

      I know...I love the deep discount towards the end of the festival. :)

      Delete
  32. AnonymousSeptember 21, 2013 at 10:55 AM

    All the desserts look delicious! I love moon cakes but unfortunately haven't had one in awhile. I used to have them every year when I was living with my parents. I will have to try out your recipe soon! Where do you buy the moon cake molds from?

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    1. AmySeptember 21, 2013 at 11:55 AM

      I agree, I get to eat more moon cakes when I live with my parents! :)

      I got my moon cake mold when I traveled to Hong Kong many years ago. But these day, you can get almost anything from Amazon online. Here's a link for your reference:

      http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00AQPKX1U/ref=as_li_tf_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B00AQPKX1U&linkCode=as2&tag=a0464-20

      Delete
  33. Abbe@This is How I CookSeptember 21, 2013 at 11:41 AM

    Happy Moon Cake Festival! What glorious way to celebrate!

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    1. AmyOctober 6, 2013 at 2:46 PM

      Thank you, Abbe. We had a wonderful family gathering to celebrate. :)

      Delete
  34. munSeptember 21, 2013 at 2:52 PM

    Happy Mid-Autumn Festival! It is good that you continue to celebrate this festival with your children even when it is not a big celebration in USA. Did your children play with candles and lanterns too?

    I like the look of the Dark Chocolate Panna Cotta you made last year. I guess they taste great too.

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    1. AmyOctober 6, 2013 at 4:31 PM

      Thank you. Yeah, I want them to know about the festival that I celebrated as a kid when I live in Hong Kong. :) But didn't visit the Chinese stores, so they didn't play with lanterns. Maybe next year, when they are a bit older. The Dark chocolate Panna Cotta is really good. Hope you'll give that a try. ;)

      Delete
  35. Kitchen RiffsSeptember 22, 2013 at 10:09 AM

    One of these days I really need to make Moon Cakes. Happy Mid-Autumn Festival! What great dishes to celebrate.

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    1. AmyOctober 6, 2013 at 4:35 PM

      Thank you. Yes, hope you'll give it a try some day. They're pretty fun to make. ;)

      Delete
  36. AnonymousSeptember 23, 2013 at 12:32 PM

    Never made mooncake before since the raw ingredient is too pricey over here...
    i guess purchasing the ready to eat is better..
    shame on me...

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    1. AmyOctober 6, 2013 at 4:43 PM

      LOL, it's okay to purchase the ready made ones. I only started making my own in the recent year for fun. ;)

      Delete
  37. Knead a Latte - RubySeptember 23, 2013 at 2:21 PM

    I don't remember exactly what night but I just had to take a picture of the moon. It was too beautiful to ignore. haha Anyway, I enjoyed learning about this festival. The mooncakes are adorable!

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    1. AmyOctober 6, 2013 at 4:46 PM

      Thank you, Ruby. I know, the moon was so gorgeous around the festival days. :) Glad that you noticed too.

      Delete
  38. UnknownSeptember 23, 2013 at 7:07 PM

    What a lovely collection of sweet treats! I am wondering which one to take first. I love how brighly coloured all of them are. Happy Mid-Autumn festival!

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    1. AmyOctober 6, 2013 at 4:50 PM

      Thank you so much, Sonila. Glad you like these sweet treats. :)

      Delete
  39. Nippon NinSeptember 24, 2013 at 4:11 PM

    Everything look fantastic! I love try the black sesame mochi first. You're great cook!

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    1. AmyOctober 6, 2013 at 4:55 PM

      Thank you, Dear. :) Glad you like these treats. Oh, the black sesame mochi is my Little Boy's favorite. Hope you'll like them too.

      Delete
  40. Kiran @ KiranTarun.comSeptember 24, 2013 at 7:54 PM

    Happy Mid-Autumn festival!!! I love moon cake festival. Couldn't sample some this year. Love the lotus seed paste filing. Yum!

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    1. AmyOctober 6, 2013 at 5:00 PM

      Thank you, Kiran. Oh...I love the lotus seed paste filling moon cakes too. :) It's okay, there will be plenty of moon cake next year.

      Delete
  41. SissiSeptember 25, 2013 at 5:26 AM

    I am so sorry for missing this post full of such delicious-looking sweet treats. The last one looks also like something I would fall in love with.

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    1. AmyOctober 6, 2013 at 5:04 PM

      Thank you, Sissi. No problem. I'm glad you're catching up here. :) Oh the mochi is incredible. I'm sure you'll like it.

      Delete
  42. UnknownSeptember 30, 2013 at 2:43 AM

    Wow, your mooncakes look amazing and so professional Amy! So pretty and I'll bet they tasted incredible too!

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    Replies
    1. AmyOctober 6, 2013 at 5:07 PM

      Thank you, Kelly. Glad you love these sweet treats. :)

      Delete

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