Sticky Cake (Nian Gao)

Ingredients

• 3 1/4 cups glutinous-rice flour
• 2/3 cup brown sugar
• 7 ounces boiling water
• 1/2 cup chinese dates, softened in water and cut in half with pits removed (optional)
• 1 tablespoon milk
• water, as needed
• 1 tablespoon white sesame seeds
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil or nonstick cooking spray

Directions

1. 1

   Prepare the wok for steaming.

2. 2

   In a bowl, mix the boiling water and the sugar, stirring to dissolve.

3. 3

   Cool. Soak the Chinese dates in hot water for at least 30 minutes to soften. (You can also

4. 4

   soften them quickly by placing them in a bowl with water and microwaving on high heat for

5. 5

   30 seconds). Cut the dates in half and remove the pits.

6. 6

   Place the glutinous rice flour in a large bowl. Make a well in the middle and stir in the sugar and water mixture. Add the milk and begin shaping the dough. Add 1 tablespoon of

7. 7

   water to the dough at a time, until you have a smooth dough with a satiny texture. Incorporate 1/2 - 3/4 of the Chinese dates, nuts or other dried fruit as you are adding water and working with the dough.

8. 8

   Grease a 7-inch square cake pan with vegetable oil or a non-stick cooking spray. Place the dough in the cake pan and spread it out to the edges. Decorate with the remaining

9. 9

   dates, lightly pushing them into the dough. Sprinkle the sesame seeds on top.

10. 10

    Steam the cake over medium-high to high heat for 45 minutes, or until the edges of the cake pull away from the pan. Remove the cake from the heat and cool.

11. 11

    Use a knife to loosen the edges, then remove the cake. Wrap in wax paper and refrigerate overnight.

12. 12

    To serve: Cut the cake into quarters, and then into thin slices 2 – 3 inches long and 1/4-inch wide. You can serve the cake as is, or reheat it in the microwave (the amount of time will depend on the size and power of your microwave – start with 10 seconds and then microwave an extra 5 seconds if needed) or re-steam it for 4 – 5 minutes.

13. 13

    You can also pan-fry the cake, dipping the cake slices in an egg wash before frying. Use a small amount of oil so that the cake will not taste oily. Heat the oil on medium-high to high heat, then turn the heat down to medium and brown the cake slices briefly on both sides.