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San da pao
三大炮: Chengdu's bouncing glutinous rice balls rolled in roasted soybean flour and drenched in brown sugar syrup
On Jinli Ancient Street and in the Kuanzhai Xiangzi alleys, san da pao vendors draw a crowd by hurling balls of hot glutinous rice dough at a wooden board hung with brass plates: bang, bang, bang, the "three cannons" of the name, before the balls drop into a tray of roasted soybean flour. Served with dark brown sugar syrup and sesame, they are a soft, chewy, nutty afternoon snack. They contain soya and sesame. Glutinous rice is very sticky, so cut the balls small for children. Chef's tip: work the steamed dough while it is still hot; once it cools it stiffens and will not stretch.
- Total time
- 45 min
- Difficulty
- medium
- Serves
- 4
Ingredients
- 9 oz glutinous rice flour
- ¾ cup warm wateradd gradually
- 1 tbsp vegetable oilfor greasing
For the syrup
- 4 oz dark brown sugar
- ¼ cup water
- 2 tbsp toasted white sesame seeds
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Method
0/6 doneStep 1: Mix 9 oz glutinous rice flour with most of ¾ cup warm water, adding the rest a spoonful at a time, and knead into a smooth, soft dough.
5 minStep 2: Press it flat onto a plate greased with ½ tbsp vegetable oil and steam over boiling water for 20 minutes, until it turns translucent with no chalky white patches. Common mistake: under-steaming; the dough stays gritty and cracks instead of stretching.
20 minStep 3: Meanwhile, simmer 4 oz dark brown sugar and ¼ cup water for 5 minutes, until it coats a spoon, then leave to cool a little.
5 minStep 4: Tip the hot dough into a bowl greased with ½ tbsp vegetable oil and beat it with an oiled wooden spoon for 2–3 minutes, until it is glossy and stretchy.
3 minStep 5: Spread 2 ⅛ oz kinako (roasted soybean powder) on a tray. With oiled hands, pinch off walnut-sized pieces of dough and drop or toss them onto the tray, rolling to coat each one completely.
8 minStep 6: Arrange in bowls, pour over the syrup and scatter with 2 tbsp toasted white sesame seeds. Eat warm the same day.
Nutrition per serving
- Calories
- 410 kcal
- Protein
- 9 g
- Carbs
- 82 g
- Fat
- 6 g
- Fibre
- 3 g
Nutrition values are estimates.
KrazyBadal
Good to know
- How long does san da pao take?
- About 45 minutes in total: 15 minutes to prepare and 30 minutes to cook.
- How many people does it serve?
- 4 as written. Change the servings above the ingredients and every amount scales to match.
- Is it vegan?
- Yes. It has no meat, fish, dairy or eggs.
- Is it gluten free?
- Yes, as written. Check the labels on stock, sauces and spice mixes, which sometimes contain gluten.
- What can I use instead of dark brown sugar?
- White sugar + 1 tbsp molasses or treacle per 200g.
- What can I use instead of toasted white sesame seeds?
- Poppy seeds or finely chopped pumpkin seeds, same amount.
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