Yuan Xiao or Tang Yuan | Glutinous Rice Ball | the Lantern Festival | CiCi Li's Recipe

black sesame paste

🥗Healthier: almond butter

💰Cheaper: sunflower seed butter

Sunflower seed butter is often more affordable and nut-free.

peanut butter

🥗Healthier: almond butter

💰Cheaper: sunflower seed butter

Sunflower seed butter is a good alternative for those with nut allergies.

sugar

🥗Healthier: stevia

💰Cheaper: honey

Honey can provide sweetness at a lower cost.

glutinous rice flour

🥗Healthier: whole grain flour

💰Cheaper: regular rice flour

Regular rice flour is more widely available and less expensive.

Roast 1/4 cup of peanut butter over low heat until lightly colored for about 5 minutes, then set aside.

Roast 3/4 cup of black sesame over low heat until aromatic for about 3 minutes, then set aside.

In a food processor, combine the roasted peanuts and grind until coarsely ground.

Add the roasted black sesame and 1/2 cup of sugar to the food processor and grind until it becomes a powder.

Add 3/4 stick of melted butter to the mixture and mix until combined.

Transfer the filling to the fridge and cool for about 30 minutes until firmer.

Take half of a teaspoon of the filling and form it into a small ball about 1/2 inch in diameter. Repeat with the rest of the filling.

In a flat tray or frying pan, add 1 pound of glutinous rice flour.

Transfer a few sesame balls into the tray and shake it so that the balls roll around and pick up a layer of flour.

Dip each ball in a bowl of water for about 2 seconds, then put it back in the glutinous rice flour tray. Repeat this process about 10 times, shaking the flour and dipping in water.

If any balls crack, brush a little water on them to seal.

Boil a pot of filtered water and add the rice balls, cooking on high heat. Stir with the back of a ladle and cover with a lid.

When the water starts to boil, turn it to medium heat.

When the rice balls float to the top, add a cup of cold water to prevent the skin from breaking apart.

Once the water boils again, cook until the balls become bigger for about 2 minutes.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Allergens