Eight Treasure Rice
A beloved Chinese celebration dessert made with sweet glutinous rice layered with red bean paste and topped with an assortment of candied fruits, nuts, and seeds. This elegant dish is traditionally served during Chinese New Year and festive occasions.
Story
Eight Treasure Rice, known as Ba Bao Fan in Chinese, is a visually stunning dessert that represents prosperity and good fortune. The name comes from the eight different toppings that traditionally adorn this dish. While the exact ingredients can vary by region and family, the foundation is always silky glutinous rice combined with a sweet red bean filling, then crowned with colorful candied fruits, nuts, and seeds. The result is a delightful contrast of textures—tender rice, smooth bean paste, and chewy, crunchy toppings all in one elegant serving.
Ingredients
glutinous rice
300 grams, soaked overnight
red bean paste
150 grams
candied winter melon
30 grams, diced
candied orange peel
20 grams, minced
dried longan flesh
20 grams
lotus seeds
30 grams, pre-soaked
rock sugar
60 grams
sesame oil
1 tablespoon
vegetable oil
2 tablespoons for greasing
Instructions
1
Prepare the glutinous rice
Drain the soaked glutinous rice thoroughly. Steam in a bamboo steamer or regular steamer over high heat for about 25 minutes until fully cooked and tender. The rice should be soft but not mushy.
2
Sweeten and season the rice
Transfer the hot steamed rice to a large mixing bowl. Add rock sugar and sesame oil. Mix gently until the sugar dissolves and coats each grain evenly. Be careful not to mash the rice grains.
3
Prepare the steamer basket
Grease the inside of a deep bowl orindividual ramekins with vegetable oil. This prevents sticking and helps the dish hold its shape when inverted onto a serving plate.
4
Layer the dessert
Press a portion of the sweetened rice into the bottom and up the sides of the prepared bowl, creating a cup-like indent. Fill the center with red bean paste. Cover with remaining rice and press down gently to compact the layers.
5
Add the treasures
Arrange the candied winter melon, orange peel, dried longan, and lotus seeds in an attractive pattern on top of the rice. These colorful toppings create the 'eight treasures' that give the dish its name.
6
Steam to finish
Place the bowl in a steamer and cook for another 15-20 minutes. This allows the flavors to meld together and the toppings to become slightly glazed. Let cool for 5 minutes before inverting onto a serving plate.
