Fried rice cakes were my favorite snacks when I was a child. Mother selected glutinous rice, washed it and soaked it all night. The next morning, after draining the water, put the glutinous rice into a wok and stir-fry until the rice grains become golden and crisp. At this time, the rice cake is full of fragrance, which makes people drool. Then, my mother poured the fried rice cake into a big pot, added sugar and maltose while it was hot, and quickly stirred it evenly. After the rice cake is slightly cold, my mother will rub it into strips with both hands, and then cut the long rice cake into small pieces, and the round fried rice cake will be ready.
Compared with fried rice cakes, doughnuts are more complicated. Mother first kneaded the dough with glutinous rice flour, warm water and sugar, then kneaded the dough into strips and cut it into small doses of uniform size. Next, rub a small dose into a slender strip, and pinch the two ends together to form a ring. Fry the sugar rings in hot oil until golden brown, and take out the drained oil. The doughnuts just out of the pot are crisp and sweet, which makes people want to stop.
Mom always likes to ask me for help when she makes doughnuts. I am responsible for rubbing the cut small dose into long strips. Although this process is a bit cumbersome, I am also eager to see my mother skillfully put the doughnuts into the oil pan. When my mother saw this, she patiently taught me how to pinch doughnuts. At first, the doughnuts I pinched were in different shapes and scattered in the oil pan. Instead of blaming me, my mother encouraged me to continue my efforts. Gradually, the doughnuts I pinched became more and more decent and could be put into the oil pan. I can't tell you how happy I am when I look at my own fried candy rings.
When the doughnuts roll in the boiling oil pan, the room is full of sweetness. My mother told me the story of Chinese New Year while frying doughnuts. She said that in the past, during the Spring Festival, the conditions at home were not good, and the sugar ring was a rare delicacy. Children can only eat it during the Spring Festival, so they cherish it. Mom's words made me have a deeper understanding of this candy ring. It is not only delicious when I was a child, but also carries the blessings of my family and good wishes for the New Year.
Now, I have grown up, but the taste of childhood remains the same. Every December, I always think of the smell of fried rice cakes and the sizzling sound of fried sugar rings in the oil pan. They are not only childhood memories, but also the sustenance of family reunion. At the moment of saying goodbye to the old year and welcoming the new year, I will take this memory with me to feel the strong flavor of the New Year with my family and welcome the arrival of the New Year.