Eight treasure sticky rice (Babao fan)

1. Wash the glutinous rice and soak it for at least 4 hours (or overnight); put the jujubes, goji berries and raisins in lukewarm water for 15 minutes, then stone and slice the jujubes.

2. Drain the rice, spread it in a steamer lined with a clean tea towel and steam for 30 minutes; while still hot, mix it with the sugar and half the lard.

3. Grease a medium heatproof bowl with the remaining lard and arrange the jujubes, goji berries, raisins and peanuts in a pattern on the bottom.

4. Carefully press two thirds of the rice over the fruit, make a hollow in the middle, smooth in the red bean paste, then seal with the remaining rice and smooth the top.

5. Put the bowl in the steamer and steam for another 30 minutes; meanwhile bring the water to the boil with the sugar and thicken it into a glossy syrup with the cornflour mixed with a little cold water.

6. Turn the rice out onto a plate so the fruit pattern is on top, drizzle with the syrup and serve warm, cut into slices.

Tip: The festive dessert of the Lunar New Year feast: the eight treasures symbolise luck and abundance. Lard gives the traditional shine and flavour; if you don't like it, you can use melted butter instead.