New Year Sweet Rice Cake (红糖年糕), or nian gao, is a welcome sight during Chinese New Year and a must-have dish. Nian gao 年糕(高) symbolizes progress, advancement, and growth.Nian Gao is also a popular gift to give when visiting family and friends during the holiday. The Foundation Bricks Legend. Nian Gao has another legend about its origin, dating back to around 2,500 years ago:. Legend has it that, after the death of Wu Zixu (伍子胥, 559–484 BC), a general and politician of the Wu kingdom in the Spring and Autumn Period (771–476 BC), the king of Yue, Goujian, attacked the capital of Wu, and the Wu army and citizens were trapped in the city and 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. Pan Frying Nian Gao: The best way to enjoy the nian gao is to pan fry it. Once the nian gao hardens overnight, it is easier to slice. Cut the cake into 1/4 to 1/2-inch thick slices. Pan fry the nian gao in a nonstick pan over medium heat for 3 to 4 minutes, flipping halfway. The sides of the cake should brown and blister. 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. Chinese New Year Cake “Nian Gao” is a very traditional steamed rice cake dessert with special meaning in the Chinese culture. This dessert also happens to be free of the top 9 food allergens and very allergy friendly. Steamer VS instant pot method: As I remembered, my uncles and aunts made sweet nian gao for Chinese New Year. They used their hands to mix the glutinous rice flour and sugar into a paste-like texture and pour them into a container with banana leaves, then steaming them over the stove for 1-1.5 hours depending on how deep the pan you use. Why Do Chinese People Eat Nian Gao? The tradition of eating Nian Gao to celebrate the Chinese new year dates back centuries in China. According to folklore, eating Nian Gao was believed to bring good luck and prosperity for the upcoming year—hence why it’s become so popular during the Lunar New Year celebrations. Nian Gao, also known as Chinese New Year Cake, is a traditional Chinese delicacy celebrated for its sweet, sticky texture and symbolic significance. Originating from ancient China, this rice cake is not only a staple during the Lunar New Year but also a versatile dish enjoyed throughout the year. Nian Gao (年糕 nián gāo), also called "rice cake" or "Chinese New Year cake", is a traditional food made from glutinous rice flour and eaten during Chinese New Year. Chinese New Year cake/Niao Gao is a must-eat snack for the Chinese Spring Festival. Eating Nian Gao always means a happy and lucky next year. Chinese New Year cake- Niao Gao Get into the spirit of the Lunar New Year with Aunty’s Smiling Sesame Cookie Balls (笑口棗) and Chinese Almond Cookies (杏仁餅)! A New Year snack to cherish for days. Coming home from school on the days after the Lunar New Year meant one thing when I was a child – Grandma would fry up Nian Gao slices and give them to my brother and I Celebrate Lunar New Year with traditional and modern Chinese desserts, from almond cookies that promote good fortune to candied fruit that re-creates a popular street food. Anyone can use a little 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. This Chinese new year cake is a sweet rice cake that is traditionally eaten during the lunar new year celebrations. Nian gao is directly translated to sticky cake, "nian" meaning sticky and "gao" meaning cake. Every family will buy this treat to celebrate the lunar new year, and it's also a very popular gift when visiting friends and family This quick and easy recipe will take your classic Nian Gao (Chinese New Year rice cake) to another level by adding additional ingredients for extra flavour. It tastes great either as it is or pan-fried. Nian gao is a traditional Chinese dessert that is steeped in history and cultural significance. With this recipe, you can create a delicious and authentic nian gao that is sure to impress your family and friends. Whether you prefer to steam or pan-fry the cake, this recipe is a great starting point for your next Chinese New Year celebration. What Is Chinese New Year Rice Cake? Chinese New Year rice cake is popularly known as Nian Gao (年糕), which directly translates to “year cake” and is a homonym for “higher year”. It has been a long tradition to eat Nian Gao to have a prosperous year ahead. Thus, it is also common to give Nian Gao as a gift for Chinese New Year to wish Coconut Palm Sugar. You basically only need 3 ingredients to make Nian Gao – glutinous rice flour, water, and sugar if you count water as an ingredient. In Southeast Asia, many prefer to use brown sugar or palm sugar infused with pandan leaves for better flavor. Family's traditional Pan Fried Nian Gao (Chinese New Year Cake) made with secret ingredient: sweet gooey rice cake with crisp fragrant egg. nian gao Chinese new year meaning. Nian Gao, also known as “Year-Year Cake,” symbolizes prosperity and growth as the word for “year” sounds similar to “every year” in Chinese. It is a traditional food of the Chinese people, especially enjoyed during the Lunar New Year. Nian Gao comes in three colors: red, yellow, and white
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