Recipe for Sweet Rice Cake (Nien Gao): 年糕
1 lb. sweet rice flour
¾ cup brown sugar
11/4-cup water
Mix rice flour with 1-cup water in a big bowl. Gradually add more water to bowl and work the dough with yours hands. You will need about 11/4 cup of water till the dough is smooth and firm. Make a well in the center of dough, add brown sugar to the well. Work the dough till the brown sugar is completely dissolved. Grease two 5 by 5 inch and 2.5 inch deep or similar capacity bake wares. Fit half the dough into one bake ware and tightly cover bake wares with aluminum foil so water wont get in while steaming. Prepare a steamer and place bake wares two inches above water. Cover and steam at medium to medium-high heat for two and a half to three hours. Test with a knife in the center of the cake, if the knife comes out clean then it is done. Set aside to cool. Remove cakes from bake wares, wrap with clear wrap to store in the refrigerator for up to one month.