Eight Treasure Rice

Eight Treasure Rice, a festive Chinese dessert, is a delightful concoction of glutinous rice, sweetened with rock sugar, and studded with a variety of colorful and delicious ingredients. The “eight treasures” can vary, but typically include nuts, dried fruits, and candied fruits.

Ingredients:

For the Rice:
2 cups glutinous rice, soaked in water for 30 minutes
1/2 cup rock sugar
1/2 cup water
A pinch of salt

Eight Treasures (Adjust according to your preference):
Lotus seeds
Dried red dates
Candied orange peel
Chestnuts
Longan dried fruit
Red beans
Pumpkin seeds
Black sesame seeds
Other optional ingredients: lily bulbs, gingko nuts, red kidney beans, etc.

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Eight Treasures:
   If using dried ingredients like lotus seeds, red dates, and red beans, soak them in warm water for several hours or overnight to soften.
   If using fresh ingredients like chestnuts, boil or steam them until cooked and peeled.
   Cut all ingredients into desired sizes.
2. Cook the Glutinous Rice:
   Drain the soaked glutinous rice.
   In a large pot, combine the glutinous rice, rock sugar, water, and salt.
   Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for about 20-25 minutes or until the rice is cooked and tender.
   Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
3. Combine Ingredients:
   Once the rice is cooked, let it cool slightly.
   Gently fold in the prepared eight treasures.
4. Mold and Serve:
   Transfer the rice mixture into a bowl or mold.
   For a more decorative presentation, you can layer the rice and treasures in a glass bowl.
   Allow the rice to cool completely before serving. Tips:
   For a richer flavor, you can add a tablespoon of cooking oil to the rice while steaming.
   To enhance the sweetness, you can increase the amount of rock sugar to your taste.
   For a visually appealing presentation, arrange the eight treasures in a decorative pattern on top of the rice.
   Eight Treasure Rice can be served warm or cold.

Enjoy your homemade Eight Treasure Rice!