Ingredients
Sticky rice, lotus root, and water, each to taste.
Seasonings
Brown sugar, red dates, honey, and white sugar, each to taste.
Instructions
1. Rinse the glutinous rice, then soak it in water with white sugar overnight (or at least 2 hours), drain and set aside; scrub the lotus root clean of mud, peel and wash, then cut off about 5 cm from the thicker end, fill each hole with the soaked glutinous rice (do not pack too tightly, as the rice will expand slightly during cooking), replace the cut-off top and secure it with toothpicks.
2. Place the lotus root in a pressure cooker, add enough water to cover it, then add 3 tablespoons of brown sugar and a few red dates. Cook for 20 minutes, then remove and let cool before slicing.
3. Remove a small amount of the brown sugar water used to cook the lotus root and pour it into another small pot, add sugar, and simmer until the syrup thickens; serve by dipping the lotus root in the syrup or simply drizzle with honey.