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Black sesame tang yuan in ginger syrup
Sesame rice balls in ginger syrup
Chewy glutinous rice balls with a molten sesame centre
Tang yuan are eaten all over China at the Lantern Festival, on the fifteenth day of the Lunar New Year, and in the south also at the winter solstice; their roundness stands for family togetherness. The dough is glutinous rice flour, the classic filling black sesame, sugar and fat, served in a light ginger syrup. Lard is traditional in the filling; coconut oil sets just as firmly and keeps them vegan. Chef's tip: chill the filling until firm and roll it into balls before you start the dough; cold filling is far easier to wrap.
- Total time
- 45 min
- Difficulty
- medium
- Serves
- 4
Ingredients
For the filling
- 2 ⅛ oz black sesame seeds
- 1 ⅜ oz caster sugar
- 1 ¼ oz coconut oilsoftened
For the dough
- 7 oz glutinous rice flour
- ½ cup hot water
- ¼ cup cold wateras needed
For the ginger syrup
- 1 oz fresh gingersliced
- 3 ¼ cups water
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Method
0/7 doneStep 1: Toast 2 ⅛ oz black sesame seeds in a dry pan over a medium-low heat for 3–4 minutes until fragrant and starting to pop. Cool, then grind to a damp powder with 1 ⅜ oz caster sugar.
4 minStep 2: Mix in 1 ¼ oz coconut oil to make a soft paste. Chill for 15 minutes, then roll into 16 small balls and chill again until firm.
Step 3: Stir ½ cup hot water into 7 oz glutinous rice flour, then add ¼ cup cold water a little at a time and knead until smooth and soft, like play dough. It shouldn't crack when pressed.
Step 4: Divide the dough into 16. Flatten one into a cup in your palm, put in a filling ball, close the dough over it and roll smooth. Common mistake: leaving air or a thin spot; the ball bursts in the pot. Pinch out any cracks with a wet finger.
15 minStep 5: Simmer 1 oz fresh ginger, 1 ¾ oz brown sugar or Chinese slab sugar and 3 ¼ cups water for 10 minutes while you shape.
10 minStep 6: Boil a separate pan of water and drop in the tang yuan. Stir gently so they don't stick. When they float, cook 2 minutes more (4–5 minutes in all), until they look puffed and slightly translucent.
5 minStep 7: Lift into bowls and ladle the hot ginger syrup over. Warn eaters that the filling is molten.
Nutrition per serving
- Calories
- 330 kcal
- Protein
- 5 g
- Carbs
- 48 g
- Fat
- 14 g
- Fibre
- 3 g
Nutrition values are estimates.
KrazyBadal
Good to know
- How long does black sesame tang yuan in ginger syrup take?
- About 45 minutes in total: 35 minutes to prepare and 10 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.
- What can I use instead of black sesame seeds?
- Poppy seeds or finely chopped pumpkin seeds, same amount.
- What can I use instead of caster sugar?
- Caster sugar, same amount.
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Perfect for:Lunar New Year