The steamed "lotus leaf clip" in Beijing pasta was first circulated during the Northern Song Dynasty. After the Ming Dynasty, lotus leaf clips were listed as tribute in sacrifices. Later, this kind of pasta was also placed on the Eight Immortals Table in the wedding room of the newlywed couple, which meant "heman". In addition to lotus leaf clips, a pair of red candles, peanuts, dates, chestnuts, dumplings and candies are also placed on the table in the wedding room. Wrap in the lotus leaf folder with candied dates, walnuts, longan and other dried fruits, which means that a young couple should live a sweet life, be full of harmony, and have a baby early. <br /><br />In the middle of the Qing Dynasty, Quanjude Roast Duck Restaurant in Beijing had just started its business. At that time, roast duck was not served with the current lotus leaf cake, but lotus leaf clips steamed with dough. When eating roast duck, the lotus leaf clips were opened and the duck meat was sandwiched inside. <br /><br />At that time, the roast duck restaurant slightly changed the practice of lotus leaf clips, just smeared a little oil on the rolled dough, then folded in half, pressed a pattern on it, and then steamed it, instead of putting dried fruits and candied fruits. When the roast duck is placed on the plate, the prepared duck slices are placed in the middle of the plate and lotus leaf clips are placed around it. It is beautiful and delicious. It is the most exquisite delicacy in Beijing at that time. But later, due to the extravagance and waste of the Eight Banners, most of them did not eat lotus leaf clips. Instead, they used these beautiful and soft lotus leaf clips to wipe their mouths and then discarded them. It was a pity to see them! In order to reduce waste, the store owner came up with an idea and invented the current lotus leaf cake, which greatly reduced food waste. <br /><br />Today, we will make the oldest and traditional noodle delicacy in the Beijing-Tianjin area,"Sweet Date and Lotus Leaf Clip". It is actually very simple to make.
