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Gau (Nian Gao)

Gau is a traditional Chinese steamed rice cake, popular during Chinese New Year, especially in Hawaii. Made with glutinous rice flour, brown sugar, and water, it has a sweet, caramel-like flavor and a sticky, chewy texture. Symbolizing prosperity and advancement, gau is often decorated with a red dot or paper for good luck.
Print Recipe
gau recipe hawaii
Prep Time:10 minutes
Cook Time:4 hours
Total Time:4 hours 10 minutes

Ingredients

  • 1 lb Chinese slab sugar or brown sugar (2 cups)
  • 2 1/2 cups water
  • 1 lb mochiko (sweet or glutinous rice flour)
  • 1/4 cup vegetable oil
  • 1 Chinese red date (jujube)
  • 1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds

Instructions

  • Add water to a saucepot and bring the water to a boil.
  • Add in the sugar slabs and turn the heat down to a simmer. Simmer until all of the sugar has dissolved. Remove from heat and let the sugar water cool down to room temperature.
  • In a large bowl, add the mochiko flour. Create a small makeshift well in the middle and pour in some of the sugar water. Whisk the sugar water into the flour and make sure there are no lumps. Repeat until all of the sugar water has been used up.
  • Mix in the oil then add the mixture to a greased 7 inches wide and 3 inches deep bowl.
  • Prepare a steamer and add the gau. Let it steam for 4 hours. (Times to steam will vary based on bowl size and depth.)
  • Take the gau out of the steamer, garnish with sesame seeds, and add on the red Chinese date. Enjoy this onolicious treat!

Video

Notes

Servings: 8