Eight Precious Pudding

Eight Precious Pudding Recipe - A Delicious Dessert from the USA

Region / culture: USA | Preparation time: 45 minutes | Cooking time: 1 hour | Servings: 6

Introduction

Eight Precious Pudding is a traditional Chinese dessert that is not only delicious but also visually stunning. This pudding is made with a combination of lotus seeds, red dates, glutinous rice, sugar, oil, candied fruits, red bean paste, and a cherry for decoration. It is a popular dish served during special occasions and celebrations.

History

Eight Precious Pudding has a long history in Chinese cuisine and is often associated with good luck and prosperity. The number eight is considered lucky in Chinese culture, and the pudding is named after the eight different ingredients used in the recipe. Each ingredient symbolizes something positive, such as wealth, health, and happiness.

Ingredients

1 oz (28 g) of lotus seeds
2 cups of cold water
2 oz (57 g) of Chinese red dates
2 cups of glutinous rice
0.25 cup of sugar
3 tbsp of oil
1 stemless red maraschino cherry
1 cup of any candied fruits
1 cup of red bean paste

How to prepare

Add lotus seeds to a saucepan filled with cold water.
Bring the water to a boil and simmer on low heat for 20 minutes.
Drain and let the lotus seeds cool. Then, split them into halves and set aside.
Place the red dates in a bowl on a rack in a pot or steamer.
Cover and steam the red dates over boiling water for 30 minutes. Set aside.
Put the rice in a pot with the water level 0.75 inch above the rice.
Bring the water to a boil and simmer for 20 minutes.
Stir in sugar and the remaining 2 tbsp of oil. Mix well and set aside.
Grease a medium-sized bowl heavily with oil.
Place a cherry in the center of the greased bowl.
Arrange the lotus seeds, red dates, and candied fruits in circles around the bottom and up to the edge of the bowl, with the glazed side down.
Carefully spread a layer of the rice mixture over the fruits, taking care not to spoil the design.
Spoon a layer of red bean paste over the rice.
Cover with another layer of rice and pack it tightly.
Place the bowl on a rack in a pot or steamer and cover it.
Steam the pudding over boiling water for 1 hour.
Carefully remove the pudding by running a flexible spatula around the edge of the bowl.
Put a serving plate over the bowl and invert the bowl to release the pudding onto the plate.
Serve the pudding with sweet almond sauce.
To make the sauce, boil 3 tbsp of sugar in 1 cup of water, stirring to dissolve the sugar.
Stir in 1 tsp of almond extract.
Thicken the sauce with 1 tbsp of cornstarch dissolved in 2 tbsp of water.

Variations

Add different types of candied fruits or nuts for a unique flavor combination.
Use different types of sweet sauces, such as caramel or chocolate, for a different twist.
Experiment with different types of rice or grains for a variation in texture.

Cooking Tips & Tricks

Make sure to grease the bowl heavily with oil to prevent the pudding from sticking.

- Arrange the fruits and nuts in a decorative pattern for a visually appealing presentation.

- Steam the pudding slowly and evenly to ensure that it cooks through properly.

- Serve the pudding with sweet almond sauce for a delicious finishing touch.

Serving Suggestions

Eight Precious Pudding can be served warm or cold, depending on personal preference. It is often enjoyed as a sweet treat after a meal or as a special dessert for celebrations.

Cooking Techniques

Steaming the pudding ensures that it cooks evenly and retains its shape.

- Layering the ingredients in a specific order helps create a visually appealing presentation.

- Inverting the pudding onto a serving plate allows for a beautiful display of the decorative fruits and nuts.

Ingredient Substitutions

If you cannot find lotus seeds, you can substitute with water chestnuts or almonds.

- Red bean paste can be replaced with sweetened black bean paste or taro paste.

- Use brown sugar or honey as a substitute for white sugar.

Make Ahead Tips

Eight Precious Pudding can be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Simply reheat before serving or enjoy cold.

Presentation Ideas

Garnish the pudding with fresh mint leaves or edible flowers for a decorative touch. - Serve the pudding in individual ramekins for a personalized presentation. - Dust the pudding with powdered sugar or cinnamon for added flavor.

Pairing Recommendations

Eight Precious Pudding pairs well with a cup of hot tea or coffee for a delightful dessert experience. It can also be enjoyed with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a decadent treat.

Storage and Reheating Instructions

Store any leftover pudding in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the microwave or steam before serving.

Nutrition Information

Calories per serving

Each serving of Eight Precious Pudding contains approximately 250 calories. It is important to enjoy this dessert in moderation as part of a balanced diet.

Carbohydrates

The main sources of carbohydrates in Eight Precious Pudding come from the glutinous rice, sugar, and red bean paste. Carbohydrates provide energy for the body and are essential for overall health and well-being.

Fats

The oil used in this recipe provides a small amount of fat, which is important for absorbing vitamins and minerals, as well as providing energy. It is important to consume fats in moderation as part of a balanced diet.

Proteins

There is a small amount of protein in Eight Precious Pudding from the lotus seeds and red bean paste. Protein is essential for building and repairing tissues in the body, as well as supporting overall growth and development.

Vitamins and minerals

The red dates and candied fruits in this recipe provide a variety of vitamins and minerals, including vitamin C, potassium, and fiber. These nutrients are important for supporting immune function, heart health, and digestion.

Alergens

This recipe contains nuts (lotus seeds) and may contain allergens such as gluten (from the glutinous rice) and soy (from the red bean paste). It is important to check for allergens and make substitutions as needed.

Summary

Eight Precious Pudding is a delicious dessert that provides a balance of carbohydrates, fats, proteins, vitamins, and minerals. Enjoy this dessert in moderation as part of a healthy diet.

Summary

Eight Precious Pudding is a traditional Chinese dessert that is not only delicious but also visually stunning. This recipe combines a variety of ingredients to create a sweet and flavorful treat that is perfect for special occasions and celebrations. Enjoy this pudding with sweet almond sauce for a delightful finishing touch.

How did I get this recipe?

I have a clear memory of the first time I saw this recipe for Eight Precious Pudding. It was many years ago when I was just a young girl, eager to learn how to cook and bake like my own grandmother. My grandmother was a wonderful cook, always creating delicious dishes that brought our family together around the dinner table.

I remember sitting in her cozy kitchen, watching her move around with grace and confidence as she prepared meal after meal. One day, she pulled out a worn and tattered recipe book from the cupboard and handed it to me. "This is a special recipe that has been passed down through generations in our family," she said with a smile. "It's called Eight Precious Pudding, and it's a real treat."

I eagerly flipped through the pages of the recipe book, my eyes scanning the ingredients and instructions for the pudding. It seemed like a complex recipe, with a long list of ingredients that included glutinous rice, red beans, lotus seeds, and dried longan. But my grandmother assured me that with patience and practice, I would be able to master it.

She began to explain to me how she had learned to make the Eight Precious Pudding from her own grandmother when she was a young girl. It was a recipe that had been passed down through the generations in our family, each cook adding their own twist to make it their own. My grandmother had made a few adjustments to the original recipe over the years, and now it was her signature dish that everyone in our family looked forward to during special occasions.

As she talked, I could see the passion and love she had for cooking shining through in her eyes. She described how the pudding was a symbol of abundance and prosperity, with each ingredient representing something different. The glutinous rice symbolized unity, the red beans represented love, the lotus seeds signified fertility, and the dried longan stood for good health. It was a dish that was not only delicious but also filled with meaning and tradition.

After my grandmother finished explaining the recipe to me, she handed me a pen and a piece of paper. "Write it down," she instructed. "It's important to keep our family recipes alive for future generations to enjoy." I eagerly took the pen and paper and began to jot down the ingredients and instructions for the Eight Precious Pudding, careful to capture every detail.

Over the next few weeks, my grandmother patiently guided me as I practiced making the pudding. I followed her instructions closely, measuring out the ingredients and stirring the mixture with care. It was a labor of love, but with each batch, I began to feel more confident in my abilities.

Finally, the day arrived when I was able to make the Eight Precious Pudding on my own. I carefully arranged the ingredients in a large pot, following the steps I had memorized from my grandmother's instructions. As the pudding simmered on the stove, the aroma of sweet rice and fragrant longan filled the kitchen, bringing back memories of my childhood spent watching my grandmother cook.

When the pudding was finally ready, I scooped it into bowls and garnished it with a sprinkle of crushed peanuts and a drizzle of honey. I brought the bowls to the table where my family eagerly awaited the taste of my creation. As they took their first bites, their faces lit up with delight, and I knew that I had succeeded in capturing the essence of the Eight Precious Pudding.

From that day on, the Eight Precious Pudding became a staple in our family, a dish that we shared during holidays and celebrations. It was a reminder of the bond between generations, the love and tradition that connected us all. And as I passed the recipe down to my own children and grandchildren, I knew that the legacy of this special dish would continue to live on for years to come.