Nian gao (年糕)is literally known as “Year cake” in Chinese and is one of the popular desserts served during the Chinese New Year. It’s a sticky, sweet rice cake made of glutinous rice flour and brown sugar. The nian gao is usually cut into slices and pan fried with flour and egg. In order to clear off my store bought nian gao quickly, I cut the nian gao into cubes and drop them into the hot red bean soup. The nian gao will soften in a few minutes and you’ll be surprised – the cubes of nan giao are a little chewy and not very sweet, really yummy! This is definitely another choice of easy dessert served for Chinese New Year!
Rinse red beans and put pandan leaves and water together into pressure cooker. Lock lid in place
Boil the red beans and water to required pressure then turn to medium low heat. Cook red beans for 30 minutes. Turn off heat, allow pressure to come down naturally, about 15 minutes.
Discard pandan leaves. Heat up red bean soup and add rock sugar, stir till sugar dissolved. Off heat and drop in nian gao cubes. Cover with lid for about 2-3 minutes and soak nian gao till softened and serve immediately.