Nian gao (Chinese: 年糕; pinyin: niángāo; Jyutping: nin4 gou1), sometimes translated as year cake [1] [2] or New Year cake [1] [3] [4] or Chinese New Year's cake, is a food prepared from glutinous rice flour and consumed in Chinese cuisine. It is also simply known as "rice cake". [3] Nian gao, also niangao (年糕 /nyen-gao/ 'year cake'), is a sweet rice cake made of glutinous rice flour and sugar with an auspicious meaning. It is a popular dessert eaten during Chinese New Year. Find out its meaning, legends, types, and recipe here. Nian Gao's Meaning: Why Chinese Eat Nian Gao. Niangao is 年糕 in Chinese. The character Nian Gao (Chinese New Year Sticky Rice Cake) Nian gao is perhaps the most popular and well-loved dessert associated with Chinese New Year. I can never say no to this sweet and sticky rice cake! Legend says that families would offer the cake to the Chinese Kitchen God in the hope that he’ll put in a good word for them when he goes back to heaven. The Chinese New Year is perhaps one of the biggest festivals celebrated in Chinese culture. It’s a 15-day-long celebration between January 21-February 20 on the Western calendar. It usually begins during the new moon and ends when the full moon comes out, hence sometimes it's referred to as the Lunar New Year. Along with this Chinese name: 年糕 niángāo /nyen-gaoww/ 'year cake' Steamed New Year Cake is China's most famous and most popular New Year dessert. Its Chinese name is 年糕 (niángāo), a homophone for "year higher" (年高), which symbolizes increasing prosperity and promotions year after year. The character “年” means “year” and “糕” roughly translates to “cake.” Put together, 年糕 means new year’s cake. In Chinese culture, you eat dishes that carry auspicious meanings during new year celebrations. That means eating foods with names that sound similar to new year’s greetings. While nian gao directly translates to "sticky cake" the name also holds symbolic meaning. The name also symbolizes growth and progression in the new year. "Nian" also means year and "gao" means high, tall, or expensive. Together these come together to symbolize a year with increases in prosperity and a better year. Nian Gao Recipe Instructions. Prepare two 8-inch round baking pans by brushing the insides with vegetable oil.. Add 2 cups of water and the ginger to a medium-sized pot, bring it a boil, then let it simmer for 10 minutes over low to medium heat with the lid covered. Nian gao, also known as rice cake or New Year cake, is a traditional Chinese dish like turnip cake, taro cake, pineapple cake, braised mushrooms and sesame balls. It is commonly consumed during the Chinese New Year celebration. The name nian gao (年糕) is a homonym for "higher year" or "advancing year" in Chinese. The Chinese new year is around the corner and I plan to end the year by making a lovely steamed Nian Gao recipe. Every year, Chinese people worldwide celebrate their new year with a traditional dessert called “Nian Gao cake.” What is Chinese New Year Cake? Chinese New Year Cake, also known as Nian Gao, is always eaten at Chinese New Year. Like many Chinese New Year foods, it's an auspicious Symbol in Chinese culture as the name "年糕" is a homonym for "A Higher Year" (糕/ Cake and 高/ High both read as Gao) i.e. the next year will be better than the previous The Lunar New Year is this Friday, January 31, 2014. One of the traditional dishes eaten during the New Year for Chinese people is a New Year Cake. It’s a very simple steamed cake, made with glutinous rice flour for a mochi-like chewy texture and sweetened with brown sugar. Instructions: 1. Make red bean paste.Cook red beans (in the Instant Pot or stovetop) until soft and creamy. Transfer to a food processor and pulse until pureed. The name "Nian Gao" literally means "year cake", which may have been derived from the fact that nian gao is eaten on New Year's Eve which marks the beginning of a new year in Chinese calendars. The word “nian” means “year” in Chinese, and the word “gao” means “high” or “tall”. Nian Gao or Nin Gou in Cantonese (“higher year”), is a sweet glutinous sticky rice cake that is enjoyed year round, but often a must-have during Chinese New Year, as the name sheds light to give progress, advancement, higher or taller, promising a better year ahead. Tikoy, or Nian Gao, is a traditional Chinese sweet rice cake dessert made from glutinous rice flour. It is available all-year-round, however, it is popularly made or given as gifts during the Chinese New Year. It symbolizes good luck and prosperity to those who will eat it. The term Nian Gao is a homonym for higher/taller year. There are few dishes that bring together my Chinese and Mauritian heritage like Gato Lasir. This waxy brown cake is traditionally made in China around Lunar New Year (Chinese New Year). The Chinese name (Nian Gao) for this cake consists of the character “年” which means “year”. And “糕” which roughly translates to “cake.” Chinese New Year Cake, also known as Nian Gao or Lunar New Year Cake, is a traditional Chinese delicacy that holds a special place in the celebrations of the Lunar New Year. It is a type of steamed rice cake with a soft and chewy texture, typically made from glutinous rice flour, sugar, and water. Glutinous rice flour (Nuo Mi Fen/糯米粉). The most important ingredient of Nian Gao, it’s made of finely ground glutinous rice (aka sweet white rice). It’s characterised by its sticky, stretchy nature once cooked, thus the name. Nian Gao (年糕) or Chinese New Year Cake is often eaten during Lunar New Year for its auspicious name. "Nian" means year and "Gao" means cake. However, the same word in a different character means high or tall. This special treat is often gifted to family and friends to bring wishes for a better year.
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