Description
Eight Treasure Rice is a classic Chinese dessert that’s as rich in flavor as it is in tradition. This sweet, sticky rice dish is typically made with glutinous rice, a blend of colorful, flavorful treasures like red beans, lotus seeds, nuts, dried fruit, and sometimes even salted egg yolk. Each treasure represents prosperity, health, and good fortune, making this dish a popular choice for festive occasions like Chinese New Year, weddings, and family gatherings. Whether served as a dessert or a special dish, Eight Treasure Rice is sure to delight with its complex flavors and beautiful presentation.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups glutinous rice (sticky rice)
- ½ cup red beans (sweetened, or use adzuki beans)
- ½ cup dried lotus seeds
- ¼ cup dried longan (or dried jujube dates)
- ¼ cup dried Chinese dates (or red dates)
- ¼ cup chopped dried mushrooms (optional)
- ¼ cup salted egg yolk (1–2 yolks)
- ¼ cup chopped walnuts or almonds (optional)
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce (for savory flavor, optional)
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 2 cups water (for steaming)
Ingredient Highlights
- Glutinous Rice: This sticky rice is the base of the dish and gives it its signature chewy, glutinous texture. It also absorbs all the flavors from the other ingredients.
- Red Beans: Sweet red beans are often used in this dish for their mild sweetness, balancing out the savory elements of the salted egg yolk and soy sauce.
- Lotus Seeds: These seeds are often used in Chinese desserts for their neutral flavor and health benefits, adding texture to the dish.
- Salted Egg Yolk: A savory addition that complements the sweetness of the rice, often considered a good luck ingredient in Chinese cuisine.
- Dried Longan and Chinese Dates: These dried fruits add natural sweetness, offering a unique flavor and contributing to the traditional “eight treasures” theme.
- Nuts: Walnuts or almonds add a pleasant crunch and a bit of richness to the dish.
Instructions
Prepare the Ingredients:
- Soak the Rice: Rinse the glutinous rice thoroughly and soak it in water for at least 2 hours, or overnight for best results.
- Prepare the Red Beans: Soak the red beans in water for 2-3 hours (or overnight) if you’re using dried beans. If using canned or pre-cooked sweetened red beans, simply drain and set aside.
- Soak the Lotus Seeds: Soak the dried lotus seeds in water for at least 1 hour until softened.
- Prepare the Dried Fruit and Nuts: Chop the dried longan, Chinese dates, and any other dried fruit into bite-sized pieces. If you’re using nuts, chop them as well.
- Steam the Salted Egg Yolks: Steam the salted egg yolks for about 10-12 minutes until firm. Once done, cut them into small pieces for easy distribution throughout the rice.
Cook the Rice and Assemble:
- Steam the Glutinous Rice: Drain the soaked rice and place it in a steaming basket lined with cheesecloth or parchment paper. Steam the rice for 30-40 minutes, or until tender. You may need to re-steam the rice once or twice to ensure it’s fully cooked and soft.
- Prepare the Treasures: While the rice is steaming, prepare the other treasures. Cook the red beans, lotus seeds, dried longan, Chinese dates, and nuts in separate pots until they are soft. Be sure to drain and set aside.
- Season the Rice: Once the rice is cooked, transfer it to a large bowl. Mix in the sugar, soy sauce, sesame oil, and a pinch of salt to season the rice. Stir gently to ensure the flavors are evenly distributed.
- Combine the Treasures: Gently fold in the red beans, lotus seeds, longan, Chinese dates, nuts, and salted egg yolks into the rice. Mix until the treasures are evenly spread throughout the rice.
Steam the Assembled Rice:
- Final Steaming: Transfer the assembled rice mixture into a steaming tray or heatproof dish. Cover with foil or a lid and steam for an additional 30 minutes to let all the flavors meld together.
- Serve: Once the rice is done, remove it from the steamer and let it cool slightly before serving. Serve warm or at room temperature.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
Nutrition
- Calories: 300-350 kcal
- Fat: 5g
- Carbohydrates: 70g
- Protein: 5g