NIAN GAO

Nian Gao
年糕

A must for the Chinese New year celebration

especially the elderly

Nian Gao 

has the same sound as

'Every year growing'
連年高升

for children, it means growing taller every year
快高長大

for businesses, it means going to new heights every year
步步高升

Such an auspicious word

how can one miss it!

Nian Gao

200g glutinous rice flour

180g caster sugar

150g water

To prepare tins for steaming:

1. line tins or ramkins with either scalded banana leaves or parchment paper

2. if you are using banana leaves, make it double layer & secure with strings
3. Parchment paper can be easily removed from Nian Gao after 2 or 3 days

To prepare batter:
1) put 100g sugar into a small saucepan, heat up slowly to caramel

2) stir if you need to, to get a nice golden colour evenly

3) when sugar has melted, add a few spoons of water (from the 150g water), 

     Do not stir, switch off heat & allow it to cool

4) when it is almost cooled, add the balance of water into this syrup. stir to combine

5) mix glutinous rice flour & remaining sugar, slowly pour in the diluted syrup

6) mix well until fully combined. 

6) leave aside for 10-15min, stirring occasionally to make sure the sugar is dissolved
    and the flour has fully incorporated

7) pour into prepared ramkins & steam in a slow cooker for 3-4 hours

Note:
the longer you steam the darker the colour of nian gao

When the Nian Gao has cooled down overnight
you can remove the gao from the container & trim the leaves

If you are eager to taste it,
1) buy some fresh grated coconut
2) mix in some salt, toss well
3) use a pair of chopsticks to twist out some gao
4) coat it with the grated coconut like this:

Enjoy!