Pops Eight Treasure Rice Flambee And Grand Marnier Oranges Recipes

ORANGE GRAND MARNIER SAUCE FOR NIAN GAO

Steps:

• In a non-reactive saute pan, add juice and ginger and bring to a boil. Reduce by 50 percent. Add segments and Grand Marnier. Serve warm on top of steamed nian gao.

PINEAPPLE INFUSED VODKA AND GRAND MARNIER

Steps:

• To infuse the vodka. Place an entire ripe pineapple, peeled, cored, and sliced, in a glass container and cover with a bottle of vodka. Refrigerate pineapple for at least 48 hours. To assemble the drink. Pour 2 1/2 ounces of pineapple infused vodka and 3/4 ounces of Grand Marnier in cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake vigorously and strain into a chilled martini glass. Garnish with orange peel.

EIGHT-TREASURE GLUTINOUS RICE CAKE

Steps:

• Cut all dried fruit, except the raisins, into 1/3-inch dice. Place all fruit, including the raisins, in a large bowl. Reserve.
• Wash the glutinous rice 4 times in room-temperature water and drain well. Place in a cake pan. Add 2 1/2 cups cold water to the rice. Place the cake pan in a steamer, cover, and steam for 30 to 40 minutes, until the rice is cooked. It will acquire a glaze and be translucent. Turn off the heat. Scoop out the rice, add to the bowl of fruit, and mix well to combine all ingredients thoroughly.
• Coat a steamproof bowl, 1 1/2-quart size, with 1 1/2 teaspoons of peanut oil, making certain the bowl in well coated. Coat the hands as well, so the glutinous rice may be handled. Pick up half of the rice-fruit mixture, coat it with the remainder of the peanut oil, and pack it into the bowl, pressing it to the sides. Place the red bean paste in the center of the rice mixture and spread it a bit. Place the remainder of rice on top and press down gently.
• Place the bowl in a steamer, cover, and steam for 45 minutes. Turn off the heat. Remove the bowl and allow to cool for about 5 minutes. Pass a blunt dinner knife around the edge of the rice to loosen it. Place a serving plate, inverted, on top of the bowl, and upend it. The cake should slip out easily. Its fruit-dotted texture will glisten.
• Use a large spoon to divide among individual bowls. Because of its texture, the steamed glutinous rice is virtually impossible to slice as one might a cake. Often a sugar syrup is poured over Eight-Treasure Glutinous Rice Cake when served. It is not at all necessary, because the various fruits, their sugars concentrated from drying, and the red bean paste are sufficiently sweet.

TOP SHELF MARGARITA GRANDE

Steps:

• In a small shallow bowl or rimmed saucer combine the lime zest and salt and mix well. Run the lime slice around the rim of a stemmed, wide mouthed glass to moisten it, then turn the glass upside down and press the rim in the salt mixture. Set glass aside.
• In a cocktail shaker combine all remaining ingredients and shake well to chill. Strain into the prepared glass and serve immediately.