Nian Gao, Nian Gao everywhere!

Look at what we found at our local supermarket!



Nian Gao is a sticky sweet delicacy made from glutinous rice powder and brown sugar. According to wikipedia.com, the reason why nian gao is so popular during the Chinese New Year is that:

The Chinese word "nián" or "to stick" is similar in sound to "year", and the word "gao" or "cake" sounds similar to "high/tall". As such, eating "nián gao" has the symbolism of raising oneself in each coming year, or "nián nián gao sheng".

Heh, I even found a recipe for homemade nian gao at yumfood.net:

Basic Nian Gao Recipe

• 2-1/2 cups packed dark brown sugar
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil
• 4-1/2 cups sweet rice flour (glutinous flour)
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• sesame seeds

Heat the brown sugar and the vegetable oil together, stirring constantly, until sugar melts. Cool slightly. Combine the flour, baking powder, and salt. Stir cooled brown sugar mixture into the flour. Drop batter by the spoonful into a bowl of sesame seeds. Coat completely, then place balls into a steamer. Cover and steam 50-60 minutes.

There's other recipes like banana leaf nian gao, baked non-asian nian gao, and of course, you get to take the nian gao to the next level by frying it with yam or sweet potato.