Eight-Treasure Rice Pudding

A Sweet Fusion of Tradition and Modern Mindful Eating

Eight-Treasure Rice Pudding is a beloved dessert from Zhejiang, especially popular during festive occasions. Despite being called a “rice pudding,” it is more of a sweet, sticky treat made with glutinous rice, filled with a variety of dried fruits, nuts, and beans. It’s traditionally served as a dessert at the end of a meal, its richness and sweetness marking a delightful conclusion.

Though traditionally labeled as a “rice dish,” Eight-Treasure Rice Pudding has always been a dessert in my family, tied to warm memories of family gatherings and celebrations. Its symbolic “treasures”—the various fruits, nuts, and beans—represent harmony and good fortune, making it a popular dish for festive occasions.

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Ingredients:

Main ingredient:

• Glutinous rice (糯米)

Supporting Ingredients:

• Red dates (红枣)

• Sweet red bean paste (红豆沙)

• Goji berries (枸杞)

• Candied kumquats (金桔干)

• Job's tears (薏米仁)

• Red kidney beans (红芸豆)

• Black beans (黑豆)

Seasonings:

• White or brown sugar (白糖/红糖)

• Lard or a substitute (猪油)

• Cornstarch slurry (湿淀粉)

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Preparation Overview:

Making Eight-Treasure Rice Pudding is a process that brings together both time-honored techniques and a bit of creativity. It all starts with the glutinous rice, which needs to be soaked until it becomes soft and sticky. The rice is the heart of the dish, providing a delicate chewiness that pairs beautifully with the sweetness of the other ingredients.

Once the rice is ready, it’s layered with a variety of “treasures,” such as red dates, goji berries, sweet red bean paste, and a mixture of beans like red kidney beans and black beans. These add both texture and color, while their natural sweetness balances out the richness of the rice.

Traditionally, the rice and fillings are carefully pressed into a mold, creating a beautiful dome shape that is then steamed to perfection. The process of steaming allows the ingredients to meld together, infusing the pudding with the gentle sweetness of the dried fruits and the richness of the lard or its substitute.

My Personal Touch:

To bring this traditional dish into a more modern, health-conscious setting, I’ve adapted it by reshaping the final pudding into small, triangular cakes, making it easier to enjoy in moderation. This approach reflects my commitment to mindful eating, allowing us to savor this indulgent dessert without overindulging. Each bite-sized portion delivers the soft, sticky texture of the glutinous rice combined with the sweet richness of red bean paste and the delicate sweetness of dried fruits, creating a harmonious blend of flavors. The change in presentation makes it approachable for modern-day gatherings while honoring its cultural roots.

This version is lighter and more elegant, yet it retains all the comforting flavors and textures that make Eight-Treasure Rice Pudding a timeless dessert.