Crispy Baked Gau

February 1st is the Chinese New Year. Celebrate the Year of the Tiger with this traditional new year dessert. This is a baked version of the Chinese Gau, a dessert that is usually steamed.

Ingredients

• 1 (16 ounce) box sweet rice flour (mochiko)

• 2 cups brown sugar

• ¾ cup white sugar

• 1 teaspoon baking soda

• 1 (13.5 ounce) can coconut milk

• 2 cups milk

• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

• 2 tablespoons sesame seeds

Directions

• Step 1

  Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line an 8x12 inch pan with aluminum foil, going up the sides.

• Step 2

  Sift the rice flour, brown sugar, white sugar, and baking soda into a large bowl. Make a well in the center and pour in the coconut milk, milk, and vanilla extract. Stir together until smooth. Pour the batter into the prepared pan, and sprinkle sesame seeds over the top.

• Step 3

  Bake in the preheated oven until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, 50 to 55 minutes. Let cool in pan for 30 minutes, then remove the foil and place on a cutting board top side up. Cut into 1 inch squares.

Sugar Coated Pecans

These sweet pecans are wonderful snacks for any occasion.

Ingredients

• 1 egg white

• 1 tablespoon water

• 1 pound pecan halves

• 1 cup white sugar

• 3/4 teaspoon salt

• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 250 degrees F. Grease one baking sheet.

2. In a mixing bowl, whip together the egg white and water until frothy. In a separate bowl, mix together sugar, salt, and cinnamon.

3. Add pecans to egg whites, stir to coat the nuts evenly. Remove the nuts, and toss them in the sugar mixture until coated. Spread the nuts out on the prepared baking sheet.

4. Bake at 250 degrees F for 1 hour. Stir every 15 minutes.