Red Dates With Warm Osmanthus Blossom Syrup Recipe

By
Fiona Reilly
Fiona Reilly is a contributing writer at Serious Eats.
Fiona Reilly
Fiona Reilly is a writer and photographer passionate about food and travel in China.
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Updated August 29, 2018
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Fiona Reilly

Why It Works

  • Removing the pits of the dates creates a space for the glutinous rice dough filling.
  • Par-cooking the dates makes it easier to remove the pits and prevents overcooking the rice filling later on.

    • This traditional Shanghai dish celebrates the fragrance of herbal-sweet osmanthus flowers along with the deep red, honey-sweetness of red dates (also known as jujubes). Served hot, each date bursts with a soft core of sticky rice, drenched in osmanthus-infused syrup. It may look impressively difficult, but it's actually very easy to make. This dish is part of our seven-course Mid-Autumn Festival feast.

    Recipe Details

    Red Dates With Warm Osmanthus Blossom Syrup Recipe

    Prep 20 mins
    Cook 20 mins
    Active 40 mins
    Total 40 mins
    Serves 4 servings
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    Ingredients

    • 7 ounces granulated sugar (approximately 1 cup)

    • 1 tablespoon dried osmanthus flowers

    • 24 large red dates

    • 1 3/4 ounces glutinous rice flour

    Directions

    1. Adding 1/2 cup water and sugar to a saucepan, bring to boil then reduce heat and simmer for three minutes. Add osmanthus blossoms, stir, and set aside.

    2. Soak red dates in 1 cup boiling water for 15 minutes. Drain and cool. Then, using pointed scissors, cut dates upon along one side and carefully remove seed.

    3. Combine rice flour and 2 tablespoons water, mixing until it reaches a Play-Do consistency.

    4. Pinch off small pieces of rice paste and roll into cylinders. Place cylinders into each date and press closed.

    5. Bring a large saucepan of water to a boil. Add dates, boil for 3 minutes, and drain. Serve immediately with osmanthus syrup poured over the top.

    Notes

    Dried osmanthus flowers can by found in Chinese grocery stores, tea shops, or online.

    This Recipe Appears In

    Nutrition Facts (per serving)
    364 Calories
    0g Fat
    93g Carbs
    2g Protein
    ×
    Nutrition Facts
    Servings: 4
    Amount per serving
    Calories 364
    % Daily Value*
    Total Fat 0g 0%
    Saturated Fat 0g 0%
    Cholesterol 0mg 0%
    Sodium 1mg 0%
    Total Carbohydrate 93g 34%
    Dietary Fiber 4g 14%
    Total Sugars 78g
    Protein 2g
    Vitamin C 0mg 1%
    Calcium 20mg 2%
    Iron 1mg 3%
    Potassium 303mg 6%
    *The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
    (Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

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