Healthy Food Recipes

·         Soak dried dates in cold water until soft, about 30 minutes. Remove from water and cut into halves, removing the pits. Set aside.

·         Cut each slab of brown candy into two or three pieces and place in a glass or metal mixing bowl. Carefully add 2 c. boiling water and let candy dissolve and cool.

·         Place glutinous rice flour in a large bowl. Make a hollow in the center of the flour and pour the cool dissolved sugar (brown candy) into this hollow. Stir flour and sugar together.

·         When a dough begins to form, use your hands to knead it gently. If necessary, add cold water one tbsp. at a time until dough is smooth and shiny.

·         Lightly grease an 8-inch cake pan with vegetable oil. Place dough in pan and mold it to fill the pan.

·         Decorate the top of the cake with dates. Sprinkle sesame seeds over all, if desired. 

·         Place pan in the rack of a steamer,* cover, and steam over high heat until cake begins to pull away from the sides of the pan, about 35 to 50 minutes. While steaming, check the water level.

·         Add more if necessary. Remove cake from steamer. Pour off any water that has collected on top of the cake. Set aside to cool.

·         When completely cool, run a knife along the edge of the cake and turn it out of the pan.

·         Wrap loosely in plastic wrap and refrigerate until ready to eat. (Cake is best if eaten the day after cooking.) To serve, cut cake into small slices (not wedges).

·    Serve at room temperature, or warm up by resteaming pieces on a plate.