Che Dau Trang (Vietnamese Sticky Rice Black-Eyed Peas Pudding)

Chè đậu trắng is a delicious and popular Vietnamese dessert known for its creamy texture, subtle sweetness, and a touch of nuttiness flavor from the black-eyed peas. The recipe can be made on the stove or with a pressure cooker. The dessert is naturally gluten-free, dairy-free, and vegan.

What is che dau trang ?

“Che dau trang” translates to “sweet soup with white beans” in English. The term “che” refers to a Vietnamese category of sweet desserts or sweet soups, while “dau trang” specifically refers to white beans, which can be either mung beans or black-eyed peas depending on the regional variation. So, “Che dau trang” essentially describes a sweet soup made with white beans as the main ingredient. Che dau trang is a Vietnamese popular dessert made with sticky rice/glutinous rice and black-eyed peas served with coconut sauce. The creamy, sticky rice and slightly nutty and creamy black-eyed peas served with rich and creamy coconut sauce are truly so good! Something so humble yet so satisfying at all levels if you ask me!

Tips & variations

1. Storage tip - If the pudding thickens too much after refrigeration, stir in a bit of warm coconut milk or water when reheating to restore the consistency2. Customize the texture - For a thicker, porridge-like consistency, reduce the water slightly. If you prefer a more liquid consistency, add a little more water or coconut milk.3. Add extra fragrance - Try infusing the pudding with a few drops of vanilla extract or a piece of smashed ginger for a subtle warmth.4. Sweeten to your preference - You can adjust the sugar to taste or use alternative sweeteners like palm sugar or rock sugar for a deeper caramel-like flavor.5. Make it extra rich - Stir in a few tablespoons of coconut cream at the end for an indulgent, silky finish.6. Boost the toppings - Garnish with toasted sesame seeds, crushed roasted peanuts, or mung bean flakes for added crunch.7. Serving options - Enjoy warm for a comforting treat or chill it in the fridge for a refreshing dessert on hot days. I like them either way

How to make che dau trang with a pressure cooker

1. Give the black-eyed peas a rinse with clean water and drain the excess water off. Do the same with glutinous rice. Give the rice several rinses of water until the water runs clear. Drain excess water off. If you use canned black-eyed peas, discard the liquid and give the beans a few rinses of water. Set aside until ready to be used2. You don’t need to soak the black-eyed peas. Place all ingredients for black-eyed peas in the inner pot of the instant pot. Close the lid and turn the steam release valve to sealing. Press “pressure cooker” and make sure it’s on “high pressure”. Set the timer to 15 minutes and then do a quick release. The beans should be tender but not mushy. If they are still too firm to your liking, close the lid back up and pressure cook for another 3-5 minutes. Drain off the cooking liquid3. Give the inner pot a quick rinse. Add all ingredients for the rice into the inner pot of Instant pot. Close the lid and turn the steam release valve to sealing. Press “pressure cooker” and make sure it’s on “high pressure”. Set the timer to 7 minutes and then let it release naturally (about 10 minutes or so). 4. When the pressure valve has collapsed, unlock the lid. Remove pandan leaves and discard. Give the rice a stir. Add sugar and the beans to the rice and stir to combine. If the mixture is too thick, you can always add a bit of water and stir to combine. If you think it’s too thin, keep in mind that it gets thicker the longer it sits. You can also turn the saute mode on and let it cook a bit to evaporate some liquid. The consistency should be creamy and thick like a thick porridge. Adjust it to your preference5. To prepare the coconut sauce, Put all ingredients for the coconut sauce in a saucepan. Whisk to combine and make sure the starch has dissolved. 6. Put on the stove over medium heat and whisk until the mixture is thickened slightly but still pourable consistency. Remove from the heat7. Portion the che dau trang into serving bowl and spoon some coconut sauce on top and serve while it’s warm. You can also serve this chilled, but this dessert is usually served warm

Chè Đắu Trắng is a nostalgic dessert that brings warmth and comfort in every spoonful. With the pressure cooker method, you can enjoy this traditional treat in a fraction of the time. Give it a try and savor the creamy, lightly sweet flavors of this Vietnamese classic!