Chinese New Year Tong Sui

So Chinese New Year is around the corner! It is in 3 days time! Have you thought about what to make for dessert yet? I'm not sure whether this is served on Chinese New Year, but it is definitely one of my favourite.

How about some Tong Sui? If you're wondering what's "Tong Sui", it is a Chinese sweet soup where it is served as a dessert after a Chinese meal.

I used to have this growing up in my home town. And sadly, it isn't easy to find it anywhere, at least not the good ones.

So here, you can make it at home.

Sweet Peanut Tong Sui

  (adapted from Nyonya Food)

All you need are:

12oz peanuts (skinless)

Rock Sugar (to taste) - you can get them from the Asian Mart

8 cups of water (for Option A)

All you need to do:

There are 2 ways you can make this. If you have a pressure cooker, use Option A and if you don't, use Option B (this is what I did, as I don't).

Option A - with Pressure Cooker

1. Soak the peanuts overnight, make sure all is in the water.

2. The next day, rinse thoroughly.

3. Transfer to pressure cooker, add water (depending on your pressure cooker, you might want to add or reduce the amount of water accordingly). Cook for 15 minutes on high heat.

4. Then cook for another 30-40 minutes on low to medium heat.

5. Turn off heat, let it cool till you can remove the lid. 

6. Heat it up again with low to medium heat and add rock sugar to taste. 

7. Boil it until the peanuts are thoroughly soft.

8. Serve it hot/warm.

Option B - with Normal Pot

1. Soak the peanuts overnight, make sure all is in the water.

2. The next day, rinse thoroughly.

3. Transfer to a pot, add water and a ceramic spoon (old saying, to help the peanuts soften).

4. Cook for 6 hours on medium heat, with lid slightly opened. Do make sure to keep an eye on the water level. As you would have to continuously add hot boiling water as the water level goes down. 

5. When your peanuts are thoroughly soft, add rock sugar and boil for another 5-10 minutes until all the sugar are dissolved (break in smaller pieces, makes it easier to dissolve).

6. Serve it hot/warm.

Enjoy! :)