Banh Dau Xanh: Vietnamese Mung Bean Sticky Rice Cake

Introduction

Banh Dau Xanh, a delightful Vietnamese dessert, translates to Mung Bean Sticky Rice Cake. This traditional dish is a sweet and flavorful treat enjoyed during special occasions or as a daily snack. Combining the creaminess of mung beans and the chewiness of glutinous rice, Banh Dau Xanh offers a unique texture and taste that is sure to please your palate. Let’s dive into how you can create this delicious delicacy in your own kitchen.

Ingredients

To prepare Banh Dau Xanh, you will need the following ingredients:
– 1 cup of mung beans
– 2 cups of glutinous rice
– 1 cup of sugar
– 1/2 teaspoon of salt
– Pandan leaves (for fragrance and color)
– Water for soaking and cooking

Directions

1. Start by soaking the mung beans in water for at least 2 hours or overnight. Drain the beans before use.
2. Rinse the glutinous rice until the water runs clear, then soak it in water for about 4 hours.
3. Drain the glutinous rice and mix it with salt. Steam the rice until it’s cooked and set it aside to cool.
4. In a separate pot, cook the soaked mung beans with water until they are soft. Add sugar to sweeten the beans.
5. Once the mung beans have a creamy consistency, blend them into a smooth paste or mash them with a fork.
6. Line a square or rectangular pan with banana leaves or parchment paper.
7. Spread a layer of cooked glutinous rice at the bottom of the pan.
8. Add a layer of mung bean paste on top of the rice layer.
9. Continue layering the rice and mung beans until all the mixture is used up, ensuring the top layer is glutinous rice.
10. Steam the Banh Dau Xanh for about 30-40 minutes until it is firm and cooked through.
11. Allow the cake to cool before slicing it into squares or rectangles.
12. Serve the Banh Dau Xanh at room temperature and enjoy the harmonious blend of textures and flavors in each bite.

Now, you’re ready to savor the authentic taste of Banh Dau Xanh – a Vietnamese Mung Bean Sticky Rice Cake that captures the essence of Vietnamese culinary traditions.

What is Banh Dau Xanh?

Banh Dau Xanh, also known as Vietnamese Mung Bean Sticky Rice Cake, is a traditional Vietnamese dessert made from mung bean paste, glutinous rice flour, coconut milk, and sugar. It is typically steamed in banana leaves, creating a deliciously sticky and sweet treat enjoyed during festivals and special occasions in Vietnam.

How is Banh Dau Xanh prepared?

To make Banh Dau Xanh, mung beans are soaked, cooked, and mashed into a smooth paste. Glutinous rice flour, coconut milk, and sugar are then added to the mung bean paste to form a sticky dough. The dough is shaped into small cakes, wrapped in banana leaves, and steamed until cooked. Once ready, the cakes are often served with a sprinkling of sesame seeds for added flavor.

What do Banh Dau Xanh taste like?

Banh Dau Xanh has a delightful combination of flavors and textures. The mung bean paste offers a nutty and slightly sweet taste, while the glutinous rice flour adds a chewy and sticky consistency. The coconut milk provides a creamy richness, making Banh Dau Xanh a harmonious blend of sweet and savory notes.