Making Chinese date dumplings. [Photo/VCG]

Chinese date dumplings

Ingredients (makes 10 dumplings)

1. 50 sheets of bamboo or reed leaves

2. Glutinous rice (1 kilogram)

3. Chinese dates (250 grams)

Method:

1. Soak the rice and the dates 12 hours or more till they are soaked thoroughly.

2. Wash the leaves.

3. A chopping board is necessary for laying out the leaves.

4. Fold the leaves flat at the leafstalk to make a sheet.

5. Hold the sheet, fold it round in the middle and make a funnel till both ends are laid over each other in one direction.

6. Use about 1/10 kg of rice and 6 dates for each dumpling. The dates must be covered by the rice so that they won't lose too much syrup in cooking.

7. Fold the leaves up to seal the open side of the funnel and tie the bundle with a band made of twisted leaves. Make sure that the bundle is tied neither too tight nor too loose. This helps make sure that the ingredients are well cooked.

8. Put the dumplings in a pot, cover with water and make sure they are pressed and kept still while being boiled.

9. Cooking time: 40 minutes in a pressure cooker; 2 hours in an ordinary pot.

Special coverage: Your guide to the Dragon Boat Festival