Comparing the ingredients of Shaanxi Zeng Cake and Gansu Cake Roll: Glutinous rice 600g, Red dates 200g, Red kidney beans 100g, Red-skinned peanuts 60g, Flour 250g, Boiling water 130g, Cooking oil as needed, White sugar as needed.
Method: Step 1: Prepare the ingredients! Step 2: I pitted the dates, but traditionally, it’s not necessary. I did this because of the children at home! Step 3: Boil the kidney beans for 45 minutes and set aside after draining the water! Step 4: Boil the glutinous rice for five minutes until it becomes sticky, then turn off the heat! Step 5: Drain and let it cool! Step 6: Use a stainless steel sieve for draining water to make the cake. Start by laying a layer of dates at the bottom! Step 7: Spread a layer of glutinous rice! Step 8: Spread a layer of kidney beans! Step 9: Spread another layer of glutinous rice, then top with dates, kidney beans, and peanuts! Step 10: Spread another layer of glutinous rice, finally top with dates, kidney beans, and peanuts! Step 11: Boil water, place the steamer, and steam over medium heat for 30 minutes! Step 12: Pour half a bowl of boiling water evenly over the rice, then steam over medium heat for another 40 minutes! Step 13: Open the lid, pour another half bowl of boiling water, and continue to steam over low heat for 2 hours! Step 14: Once done, mix well with a rice paddle! Step 15: While still warm, place in a rice box and sprinkle white sugar on top. The Zeng Cake is ready! Recently, during the pandemic, my grandfather really wanted this dish, so I sent it to him while it was still hot! Step 16: For the cake roll, follow these additional steps. Flour 250g, slowly add about 130g of boiling water, and knead the dough into a smooth ball! Step 17: Cover and let it rest for about 30 minutes. Step 18: Divide into 6 portions! Step 19: Roll out to the size of a palm, making thin pancakes! Step 20: Fry in a pan with oil. Step 21: Flip when bubbles appear and cook until done! Step 22: Once slightly cooled, it’s ready to roll the cake! Step 23: Sprinkle white sugar first. Step 24: Lay down the Zeng Cake. Step 25: Roll it up, no need to seal the ends as the stickiness of the cake will hold it together! Step 26: Done. Step 27: Take a side shot! Personally, I believe it’s best to eat it fresh, but it can also be refrigerated and eaten cold, or steamed for five minutes the next day, all are fine! Cooking Tips: Authentic Shaanxi Zeng Cake does not include peanuts and has golden thread dates for added sweetness! I omitted the candied fruit because of the children at home. Gansu’s cake roll only includes red dates and glutinous rice, without peanuts and kidney beans. The red dates are from the local Linze County, known for their thin skin and sweet taste! This is my improved version! My steaming method is the most traditional, but for a quicker alternative, a pressure cooker can be used. After my pressure cooker broke down, I chose to stick with the traditional method, as quick-cooking methods don’t match the taste of the original cooking techniques! Since the steaming takes a long time, remember to add boiling water in time to prevent the pot from drying out! There are tricks to making delicious dishes, and each of my dishes has its own little secret. You can search for ‘Shaanxi Snacks’ to directly view my recipes!
