Bak Chang

Wanted to make some Bak Chang (Chinese rice dumplings) but the festive season was over by a week. Know what, it doesn't really matter...afterall it's the cravings that count! hehehe...

Made the Nonya version coz that's the only kind that I really like. Used a recipe from one of my cookbooks. So to San, YES!! I finally put those cookbooks I bought to good use!! *grin* (real pathetic, I know). I also modified the recipe a little to accomodate my time, skill and availibility of ingredients.

I didn't know how to wrap the dumpling and having only seen it done, I tried to duplicate as much of it that I could remember plus whatever I can research from the net. Man....it wasn't easy! I managed to make six ok looking ones. They aren't exactly easy and took too much time. I had to pre-make the filling 2 days ahead, soaked glutinous rice and bamboo leaves a day ahead and finally embarked on the project on the third day (or rather night). By that time, I was tired and irritated coz it seems the more I make, the worse they looked and to make matters worse, I was tearing the leaves as I was making the dumplings!

Of course, as I was at the lowest point of my dumpling making project, my grams called (THANK GOD). I told her what I was doing and she kind of told me off!! hehehe...Saying that I was spending too much time on wrapping, where got all that time, better to do other things with and even her (she's an EXPERT at making this dumpling) wouldn't think of doing it even if she has the time!! So she told me that I could just laid some bamboo leaves on a metal plate (use a round baking pan here) and place the rice, filling and rice on it, top it with some pandan leaves, cover the top with the bamboo leaves and just STEAM IT till cook. GEEZ!! Why didn't I think of that!!!! *Proceeds to kick myself* I mean, I cook Loh Mai Gai the same way and it's also glutionous rice just different filling, why can't I do the same here!! I guess I never thought of that, talk about thinking outside the box! My husband said the flavor was just as good steamed but he missed the pyramid shape, so I told him he has two choices. One, he could buy some pyramid shaped mold to hold the rice and steamed it OR two, he could wrap those darn things himself!!!! Guess he was contented to just eat them as they are...