Nourishing Red Bean Sticky Rice (Pat-Chalbab)
How to Make Delicious Red Bean Sticky Rice (Pat-Chalbab)
This Pat-Chalbab is made to wish for long life and good health. It’s a perfect dish for special occasions.
Ingredients
- 1 cup short-grain white rice
- 1 cup glutinous rice (sweet rice)
- 2/3 cup red beans
- 5 dates
- 5 chestnuts
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, thoroughly rinse the short-grain white rice and glutinous rice, drain them, and then soak them in water for about 2 hours. Soaking the rice makes the grains chewier and softer.
Step 2
Wash the red beans clean, place them in a pot, and add enough water to cover them. Boiling the beans with a pinch of salt helps reduce their earthy flavor and enhances their taste. Once the red beans are tender, reserve the cooking water and set the cooked beans aside.
Step 3
Peel the chestnuts and cut each into 4 pieces. Remove the seeds from the dates and cut them into 4 pieces as well. The chestnuts and dates will add sweetness and a lovely aroma to the rice.
Step 4
Line a steamer basket with a cheesecloth or fine-mesh cloth. Add the drained white rice and glutinous rice, along with the cooked red beans, and mix them evenly. Steam over high heat for about 30 minutes until the rice is partially cooked.
Step 5
After 30 minutes, open the steamer lid and artfully arrange the prepared chestnuts and dates on top of the steamed rice. Pour the reserved red bean cooking water over the rice to moisten it evenly. Close the lid again and steam for another 30 minutes over low heat. The subtle color and flavor of the red bean water will infuse the sticky rice, creating a delicious and healthy Pat-Chalbab.
