Hi everyone! Chinese New Years is less than a week away (Feb. 10) so I’m here with a nice festive recipe to celebrate.

I have many new years recipes on here, but no desserts! Finally, a dessert.

Fa gao (发糕）is a steamed cake. Fa (in cooking) means to rise. gao means cake. It’s a new years dessert because fa is also used in the context of “make fortune” (发财). and 糕 is homophonous with 高 (high). It’s always about the money ><

Traditionally, basic fa gao is made with 4 ingredients: rice flour (and/or rice), yeast, sugar and water. The combination of no gluten and steam gives them the texture of a fluffy mochi. Many also garnish with dried fruits and nuts. More “modern” versions include wheat flour, baking powder and even boxed cake mixes! My version uses probiotic fermentation to create a slight tangy taste, adding depth of flavour to an otherwise slightly one note item.

The most aesthetically pleasing way to make these is to put them into a small cup or cupcake liners, then mark a cross on the tops so the cakes “bloom” when cooked.

I don’t have nice little cups or stable cupcake liners, so I made mine in a shallow glass tupperware ><

Technicalities and ugliness aside, it actually turned out great. But… before getting started…

Notes:

1. To save some time, replace the yeast with baking powder
2. Overmix the flour- 3-5 minutes. Mixing “properly” will make the cake fluffy, but not have the hallmark chewiness.
3. GREASE THE CONTAINER- my first batch stuck very badly and even the second batch didn’t come out as aesthetically as I would have liked. Also, Only fill the container to 70%
4. If you don’t have a steamer there are , use something stable (e.g.,a small bowl) to elevate the plate you are going to steam on and steam as normal. Cover the lid with a towel to prevent moisture from dripping onto the cake

With that said, let’s get cooking!

Ingredients

• 2 cups (~250g) + 1.5-2tbsp flour
• 1 cup water
• 1tbsp yoghurt, optional
• 1/3 cup+1.5 tbsp brown sugar
• 1 probiotic pill
• 1/2 tsp instant yeast or 1.5 tsp baking powder
• oil, for brushing

Directions

1. Mix 1/2 cup flour (125g) with the contents of the probiotic pill. Mix water with 1.5 tsp sugar and yoghurt (if using) and mix with the flour. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and poke a couple of on the top. Leave in a warm place for 12-14 hours . It is ready when there is evidence of bubbling an the mixture tastes sour. For a stronger taste keep in the fridge for up to an additional 36 hours.
2. Dissolve the remaining 1/3 cup of sugar in 1/2 cup of hot water to for a syrup. Cool completely.
3. In a separate bowl, mix 1/2 cup of flour with yeast. Add the fermented mixture and mix until well combined. Pour in the the syrup and continue mixing for 3-5 minutes. Drag a knife through the batter. If the line floods over immediately, add 1.5-2 tbsp of flour. Grease containers and pour in the batter
4. Fill the a pot, wok or steamer with 2-3 in of water, once the water is at a rolling boil, place the containers into the steamer and cover. Reduce heat to low and steam for 20-25 min or until a toothpick inserted into the centre comes out clean.
5. Remove from container, serve and enjoy!

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Happy Chinese New Years everyone! Until next time, Bye!

• Chinese
• Dessert