Winter Solstice 2010

Today is Winter Solstice which is also known as 冬至. It is a day for family to get together and for reunion. Not forgetting that Chinese requires to prepare this dish as offerings to God. Hence, i decided to cook something colourful this year.

Ingredients;
Glutinous Rice flour
Cold water
Pandan essence
Pink colouring
1/2 pot boiling water
Red dates
Pandan leaves, knotted
Candied water chestnut
Dried longan
Brown sugar

Method;
-Prepare mini colourful glutinous rice balls by mixing flour with cold water to form a soft dough.
-Divide into 3 portion, add pink colouring for 1 part, pandan essence for another part.
-Roll into small balls of 1 cm size.
-Chill in fridge till set. This step can be dne the night before.
-Bring water to boil, add red dates and pandan leaves.
-Boil till red dates slightly expands, with no wrinkled skin.
-Add candied water chestnuts and dried longan, continue to boil for 10 mins.
-Add colourful rice balls and sugar.
-When glutinous rice balls floats, off heat and serve.
-Enjoy!

I made these mini colourful glutinous rice balls the nite b4 and kept them in the freezer. Juz need to take out to thaw for a while b4 cooking. Save mi lots of time and oso spare mi from waking up early to cook. :-P

This is how candied water chestnut looks like. In slices form coated with sugar.