Matcha Red Bean Rice Cake

Nian Gao (年糕), is an essential new year dessert that symbolised 'luck' and 'growth' in Chinese History.

Nian= sticky; Gao= Cake. This traditional bite of dessert has passed down from one generation to another and never been forgotten.

Traditionally, the typical nian gao was only made up of 3 ingredients, which are sugar, water, and rice flours. However, there is a literal myriad of recipes out there to choose from, from traditional to the non-traditional one. Allow me to follow the non-traditional version of recipe, which I'm quite pleased with (HEHEHE).

The Matcha Red Bean Rice Cake

Prep time 10mins Cook 30 mins Total 40 mins

The addition of matcha and red bean really enhance the taste of the traditional nian gao! It is simple with no fail guarantee.

You'll need:

A few things you might need to know:

1. Instead of brown sugar, you can use caster sugar for a better presentation. I use brown sugar for healthier option.

2. Best way to eat is wait for it to cold, or refrigerate it!

Directions

Step 1: Sift the flour, sugars, matcha powder, and water into a large mixing bowl. Mix until well combined.

Step 2: Stir thoroughly until the batter is smooth and thick.

Step 3: Now, stir in the sweetened red bean into the batter until thoroughly combined.

Step 4: Prepare a baking bowl and brush some oil on your bowl, transfer the batter into the bowl. Place the baking bowl into the rice cooker and allow it to be steamed for 30-35 minutes.