Banh Januk (glutinous rice balls in ginger syrup and coconut sauce)

coconut milk

🥗Healthier: light coconut milk

💰Cheaper: milk + coconut extract

Light coconut milk reduces calories while maintaining flavor.

shrimp

🥗Healthier: tofu

💰Cheaper: chicken

Tofu is plant-based and lower in cholesterol.

pork

🥗Healthier: lean turkey

💰Cheaper: ground beef

Lean turkey is lower in fat while ground beef is often more affordable.

peanuts

🥗Healthier: sunflower seeds

💰Cheaper: cashews

Sunflower seeds provide a similar crunch with different flavor.

Clean the mung bean thoroughly, about four to five times.

Add water to the mung bean and steam it in a rice cooker until done.

In a saucepan, combine palm sugar and water to make ginger syrup.

Once the palm sugar begins to melt, add sliced ginger and stir to combine.

Bring the mixture to a rolling boil, then reduce heat and let it simmer for about 15 minutes, then set aside.

In a small saucepan, heat coconut milk on medium heat and add a little salt.

To thicken the coconut milk, mix some coconut milk with cornstarch until smooth, then add it back into the saucepan to thicken, simmering lightly without boiling, then set aside.

Once the mung bean is done steaming, mash it with salt until soft and set aside.

Combine glutinous rice flour with warm water (about 1.5 to 2 cups) and work it until it forms a ball, continuing to knead for 2 to 3 minutes.

Take a piece of dough, flatten it out, and create a bump in the middle to place the mung bean filling.

Use a melon ball scooper to place the mung bean filling in the center of the dough, then cover it with the dough and pinch to seal.

If there are cracks, use fingers to pinch and seal them, then smooth the ball again and flatten it slightly.

Shape some dough into tiny balls for plain ones, suitable for kids to help with.

Cook the glutenous rice balls in boiling water, using a slotted spoon to loosen them so they don't stick.

Once the balls float to the top, remove them and place them in an ice water bath to stop the cooking process and remove slime.

Plate the rice balls in a small serving bowl, add sweet ginger syrup, top with coconut milk, and sprinkle with sesame seeds.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Dietary

Allergens