Red Dates with Warm Osmanthus Blossom Syrup

Ingredients

• 7 ounces granulated sugar
• 1 tablespoon dried osmanthus flowers
• 24 large red dates
• 1 3/4 ounces glutinous rice flour

Directions

1. Combine 1/2 cup water with the sugar in a saucepan and bring it to a boil. Lower the heat and let it simmer for 3 minutes, then stir in the osmanthus blossoms and take the pan off the heat.
2. Put the red dates in 1 cup boiling water and soak them for 15 minutes. Drain them and let them cool, then use pointed scissors to slit each date down one side and gently take out the seed.
3. Mix the rice flour with 2 tablespoons water until the paste feels like Play-Doh.
4. Break off small bits of the rice paste and shape them into little cylinders. Tuck one into each date, then press the date closed around the filling.
5. Bring a large saucepan of water to a boil. Drop in the stuffed dates, cook them for 3 minutes, and drain. Spoon the osmanthus syrup over the dates and serve right away.