Name: New Year's Rice Cake
Yield: Makes 8 servings
Ingredients: 1 pound glutinous rice flour (also called sweet rice flour); 1 1/4 cups sugar; 1 tablespoon baking powder; 1/4 cup dried cherries; 1/4 cup chopped candied pineapple; 1/4 cup dried dates; 1/4 cup chopped nuts; 3 large organic eggs; 3/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil; 1 1/2 cups water; Raisins, nuts, and dried cherries, for decoration

Just as American children anxiously await their Christmas gifts months in advance, I anxiously awaited this scrumptious cake.

Nian-Gao, New Year's cake, is one of the most important holiday dishes in many Asian countries. Eating Nian-Gao during the New Year's celebration is said to bring safety and fortune to the entire family for the coming year, though I now make it for family gatherings throughout the year.

Recipe notes

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