CHINESE STICKY RICE IN BAMBOO LEAVES (ZONGZI 粽子)

Step 1

Clean each leaf and immerse in water.

Step 2

Soak bamboo leaves overnight until supple.

Step 3

Rinse the shitake mushrooms in water and place it in a bowl.

Step 4

Add soy sauce.

Step 5

Add boiling water and soak overnight.

Step 6

Rinse dried shrimp in water and place it in a bowl.

Step 7

Add water to just cover the shrimps to rehydrate.

Step 8

Rinse rice and mung beans in a large container.

Step 9

Add water and allow to soak for 2 hours. DO NOT OVERSOAK!

Step 10

Cut each sausage into 4 pieces.

Step 11

Cut each duck egg into 2 pieces.

Step 12

Place ⅔ cup rice mixture and wrap leaves according to instruction video.

Step 13

Arrange wrapped zongzi into a pot that will hold all the zongzi so that it is securely packed to ensure that no zongzi will come apart.

Step 14

Add sufficient water to cover all the zongzi.

Step 15

Add 2 tsp of salt to the water.

Step 16

Bring water to a boil.

Step 17

Reduce heat to a rolling boil and boil for 3 hours.

Step 18

Add additional BOILING water if water level falls below the top of the zongzi.

Step 19

Remove from boiling water and place on a metal rack to cool.

Step 20

Freeze extra zongzi.