The simplest way to make Nghe An steamed rice cake at home

How to Make Nghệ An Rice Cake

• 1

  Wash and Soak the Rice

  Put the rice in a basin, wash the rice clean 2 – 3 times with water, then add water to soak for 4 hours to let the rice swell.

  Tip: While soaking the rice, you should change the water about 2 times to keep the rice fragrant and the water clear!

  

  
• 2

  Blend Rice with Water

  After soaking the rice, wash it again, then measure 2 cups of water to add. Then divide the rice and water into 2 batches to put in the blender, turning on the switch to blend the rice smoothly for 2 minutes.

  Tip: While blending, you should press the switch for about 10 seconds, then turn it off for the machine to rest for 2 seconds before pressing again to avoid overheating.

  

  
• 3

  Mixing the batter

  After grinding the flour, you put the flour into a bowl, add 1/2 teaspoon of salt, and stir well.

  Then, chop the green onions and add them to the bowl of flour, add 2 tablespoons of cooking oil and stir well again to finish the batter preparation.

  

  
• 4

  Preparing the mold

  You prepare a round white cloth with a diameter of 35cm, cut a small round hole the size of a fingertip in one corner of the cloth.

  Then pour water into half of the pot, cover the pot’s mouth with the cloth and use a wire to secure the cloth so that the small hole is near the edge of the pot.

  Tip: Depending on the size of the pot, choose the appropriate size of cloth.

  

  
• 5

  Steaming the rice flour

  You place the pot on the stove, cover it, and turn the heat to high to bring the water to a boil. Once the water is boiling and steam rises, you open the lid, stir the flour well, and scoop a ladle of flour onto a cloth.

  Then use the ladle to spread the flour evenly over the cloth, cover it again for 5 seconds; when the flour turns translucent, it is cooked. You open the lid, use a chopstick to roll the flour up, and place the cake on a plate to cool.

  You repeat the same process until all the flour is used.

  

  

  

  
• 6

  Sautéing onions

  Place a pan on the stove, turn the heat to medium, add 5 tablespoons of cooking oil to the pan; when the oil is hot, add 2 tablespoons of minced shallots to sauté until the onions are golden and fragrant.

  You turn off the heat and transfer the oil and sautéed onions to a bowl to cool.

  

  
• 7

  Final Product

  You pour fried onion oil over the plate of steamed rice cake and invite the whole family to enjoy it.

  The steamed rice cake has a fragrant smell of fried onion, is soft and smooth, and very chewy and delicious. You can dip this cake in shrimp paste or chili garlic fish sauce, which is also very tasty!