How to Make Five-Color Sticky Rice from Rice | Go to Market, Cook, and G...

Ingredients

For the Sticky Rice:

• 2 cups glutinous rice (sticky rice)
• 1 cup coconut milk
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon salt

For the Coloring:

• 1 tablespoon butterfly pea flower powder (for blue)
• 1 tablespoon beet juice or powder (for red)
• 1 tablespoon matcha powder (for green)
• 1 tablespoon pumpkin puree or powder (for orange)
• 1 tablespoon purple yam powder (for purple)

For Garnish (optional):

• Toasted sesame seeds
• Shredded coconut
• Fresh fruits

Going to Market

1. Choose a Market: Head to a local Asian grocery store or farmer’s market where you can find glutinous rice, coconut milk, and specialty colorings.
2. Check for Freshness: Look for fresh, high-quality ingredients. The sticky rice should be firm and white, and the coconut milk should be well-stirred and free of lumps.
3. Select Natural Colorants: If using powders, ensure they are pure and free of additives. For juices or purees, choose fresh and natural products.

Preparing the Sticky Rice

1. Rinse the Rice: Wash the glutinous rice under cold water until the water runs clear. This helps remove excess starch and prevents the rice from becoming overly sticky.
2. Soak the Rice: Soak the rinsed rice in water for at least 1 hour, or overnight for best results. This step ensures the rice cooks evenly and achieves the desired sticky texture.
3. Steam the Rice: Drain the soaked rice and place it in a steamer basket lined with cheesecloth. Steam over boiling water for about 30-40 minutes, or until the rice is tender and fully cooked.

Preparing the Colorants

1. Coloring Preparation:
   • Blue: Mix butterfly pea flower powder with a small amount of warm water to make a concentrated blue color.
   • Red: If using beet juice, extract it from fresh beets. If using beet powder, dissolve it in a small amount of water.
   • Green: Mix matcha powder with a bit of water to form a smooth paste.
   • Orange: Combine pumpkin puree or powder with a bit of water to achieve the desired hue.
   • Purple: Mix purple yam powder with a small amount of water.

Coloring the Sticky Rice

1. Divide the Rice: Once steamed, divide the sticky rice into five equal portions.
2. Add Colors: Gently fold each portion with one of the colorants until the rice is evenly colored. Be careful not to overmix, as you want distinct color layers.
3. Layer the Colors: In a mold or dish, layer the colored rice portions one on top of the other. Press down gently to compact the layers.

Serving and Garnishing

1. Let it Set: Allow the rice to cool slightly so it sets and holds its shape.
2. Unmold and Serve: Carefully unmold the rice onto a serving plate. You can use a round or rectangular mold, or shape it by hand.
3. Garnish (optional): Sprinkle with toasted sesame seeds, shredded coconut, or fresh fruits for added texture and flavor.

Incorporating Garden Elements

1. Use Home-Grown Ingredients: If you have a garden, consider growing your own beets for red coloring, or herbs for additional flavors.
2. Garden Fresh Garnishes: Decorate with edible flowers from your garden or fresh herbs like mint for a fragrant touch.