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Num plae ai (Khmer palm sugar rice balls)
Soft glutinous rice dumplings with a molten palm sugar centre, rolled in salted grated coconut
Num plae ai are a favourite Cambodian sweet for Khmer New Year in April, made to share with visiting family and offered at the pagoda, the hidden palm sugar inside standing for a sweet surprise in the year ahead. Small balls of glutinous rice dough are wrapped around a cube of palm sugar, boiled until they float and then rolled in fresh coconut with a pinch of salt. Bite in and the warm sugar bursts out like syrup against the soft, chewy dough. They are best eaten warm, within a few hours of making. Cut the balls in half for young children, as sticky rice dough can be hard to chew. Chef's tip: seal each ball carefully and roll it smooth between your palms, or the sugar leaks out into the water.
- Total time
- 45 min
- Difficulty
- medium
- Serves
- 6
Ingredients
For the dough
- 9 oz glutinous rice flour
- ¾ cup warm wateryou may not need it all
For the filling
- 3 ½ oz palm sugarfirm, cut into 1 cm cubes
For the coating
- 3 ½ oz freshly grated coconutor desiccated coconut soaked in 4 tbsp warm water
- ¼ tsp salt
- 1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds (optional)
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Method
0/6 doneStep 1: Mix 3 ½ oz freshly grated coconut with ¼ tsp salt and 1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds on a plate.
2 minStep 2: Put 9 oz glutinous rice flour in a bowl and work in the ¾ cup warm water a little at a time with your hand until you have a soft dough like play dough that doesn't crack when pressed.
5 minStep 3: Pinch off pieces the size of a large cherry (about 15 g) and flatten each into a disc in your palm.
5 minStep 4: Put a cube of 3 ½ oz palm sugar in the middle, pull the dough up around it, pinch to seal and roll into a smooth ball. Common mistake: cubes that are too big; the thin dough tears and the sugar leaks while boiling.
15 minStep 5: Bring a large pan of water to the boil over a high heat. Drop in the balls in two batches and boil until they float, then 1–2 minutes more, so the sugar inside has melted.
10 minStep 6: Lift them out with a slotted spoon, drain for a moment and roll in the coconut mixture while still hot. Serve warm.
Nutrition per serving
- Calories
- 280 kcal
- Protein
- 3 g
- Carbs
- 50 g
- Fat
- 8 g
- Fibre
- 2 g
Nutrition values are estimates.
KrazyBadal
Good to know
- How long does num plae ai (Khmer palm sugar rice balls) take?
- About 45 minutes in total: 25 minutes to prepare and 20 minutes to cook.
- How many people does it serve?
- 6 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 palm sugar?
- Caster sugar, same amount.
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