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Kabok
কাবোক: Manipuri puffed rice and sesame balls bound with molasses
Kabok are crunchy balls of puffed rice and sesame bound with hot jaggery syrup, made in Meitei homes for Yaoshang, Cheiraoba and temple offerings. Black puffed rice is used in some villages, giving dark, toasty kabok. The key is the syrup: cook it to the hard-ball stage, when a drop in cold water sets into a firm ball, or the balls will fall apart. The common mistake is shaping with dry hands; wet them so the hot mixture doesn't stick or burn. Chef's tip: warm the puffed rice in the oven for a few minutes first so it stays crisp.
- Total time
- 25 min
- Difficulty
- easy
- Serves
- 12
Ingredients
For the balls
- 3 ½ oz puffed rice
- 1 ⅜ oz sesame seeds
- 7 oz jaggerygrated
- 3 tbsp water
- ¼ tsp dry ginger powder (optional)
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Method
0/4 doneStep 1: Toast 1 ⅜ oz sesame seeds in a dry pan until golden, then add 3 ½ oz puffed rice and toss 2 minutes until crisp. Tip into a large bowl.
4 minStep 2: Melt 7 oz jaggery with 3 tbsp water over medium heat, stirring, then boil until a drop in cold water forms a firm ball.
8 minStep 3: Add ¼ tsp dry ginger powder if using and immediately pour over the rice, mixing quickly with a spoon.
1 minStep 4: With wet hands, press handfuls into tight balls while warm. Cool completely and store airtight for up to 2 weeks.
10 min
Nutrition per serving
- Calories
- 120 kcal
- Protein
- 2 g
- Carbs
- 24 g
- Fat
- 3 g
- Fibre
- 1 g
Nutrition values are estimates.
KrazyBadal
Good to know
- How long does kabok take?
- About 25 minutes in total: 10 minutes to prepare and 15 minutes to cook.
- How many people does it serve?
- 12 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.
- Can I make it ahead?
- Yes. It keeps well, so you can cook it earlier in the day or the day before and reheat it.
- What can I use instead of puffed rice?
- Any long-grain rice, same amount.
- What can I use instead of sesame seeds?
- Poppy seeds or finely chopped pumpkin seeds, same amount.
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