Tikoy: Four ways to enjoy a Chinese New Year staple

by: Viktoria Lukas
2010-01-08

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Chinese New Year will never be complete without the traditional New Year pudding called Nian Gao or Tikoy. The Tikoy is prepared using glutinous rice flour, wheat starch and sugar. The type of sugar used—brown or white—determines the color of the pudding.

Tikoy is eaten by the Chinese during their celebration of the New Year because ‘nian gao’ is a homonym for ‘high’ or ‘higher year’.

The Tikoy recipe we all grew up enjoying is the usual egg-dipped and deep-fried type. Thanks to the newest assortment of Tikoy such as the melon flavoured and even chocolate flavoured ones, Tikoy can now be enjoyed in various ways.

However, you may still purchase the original recipe from your favorite Chinese deli and cook up your own variety of this favorite Chinese delicacy:

Tikoy with Sesame Seeds

Sesame seeds are known to give any food the rich nutty flavor. To give your humble Tikoy a little personality, sprinkle toasted sesame seeds on your Tikoy while it is sizzling in the pan. As usual, serve piping hot so the seeds won’t go soggy.

Tikoy Turon

Here is a brilliant Filipino and Chinese fusion of scrumptiousness. Instead of bananas, wrap strips of Tikoy in lumpia wrappers along with a strip of langka or jackfruit and deep fry in sugared oil as usual. Before the sugar on the cooked Tikoy lumpias completely dry to hard caramel, sprinkle them with toasted sesame seeds.

Fried Tikoy with Grounded Peanuts

Chinese cuisine is known for its use of peanuts in its many dishes. So why not try it with Tikoy? Roll strips of Tikoy in finely grounded peanut and brown sugar and wrap in lumpia wrappers. Deep-fry in sugared oil and serve with Oolong tea.

Tikoy with Cheese

The process is similar to making Tikoy Turon only that you replace the strip of jackfruit with quick melt cheese. Instead of lumpia wrappers, you may also opt for pastry wrappers but to make sure that the cheese melts, make sure your Tikoy is piping hot when throwing the quick melt cheese in.

Tikoy is best served with Chinese tea, both hot and cold, lots of New Year cheers and preferably with family and friends. True to the meaning of its name, Tikoy definitely never fails to bring high spirits during the holidays.

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Related Topics: food | christmas/new year |