Chinese Date in Sweet Syrup 

 

In 1949, October 1st, Chairman Mao declared the establishment of People’s Republic of China on the Tian’an men square. In the evening the first state banquet was held to celebrate the rebirth of China. The banquet was organized by the late Premier Zhou Enlai. Considering that the guests were from different areas, Premier Zhou Enlai determined to use the Huaiyang cuisine to host the people, which is moderate sweet and salty. There were nine chefs, taking them almost 3 months to prepare the banquet. The banquet began at 7:00pm on that night and lasted for two hours. Now let’s look at the Menu of First State Banquet:

Cold Dishes:

Spicy Duck
Spicy Chicken
Mushroom with Salt and Sesame Oil
Winter Bamboo Shoot with Shrimp’s Roe
Cucumber with Salt and Sesame Oil
Spicy Fish
Pork Jelly in Zhenjiang Style

Hot Dishes:

Stewed Shark’s Fin with Chicken
Sauce in Jar
Stewed Mixed Seafood in Chicken
Sauce
Sauted Prawn with Red Sauce
Steamed Chicken with Mushroom
Sauted Vegetable and Mushroom
Braised Carp in Brown Sauce
Consomme of Swallow’s Nest

Pastry:

Steamed Dumpling Stuffed with Meat and Vegetable
Deep-fried Spring Rolls
Steamed Dumpling Stuffed with
Mashed Red Bean
Steamed Chinese Bread

Dessert:

Mashed Walnut