Sesame Balls

Name: Sesame Balls
Prep time: 25 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 40 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: Chinese
Ingredients: 2 cups glutinous rice flour; 1/2 cup brown sugar; 2/3 cup boiling water; 2/3 cup sweet red bean paste, divided; 1/2 cup white sesame seeds; 4 cups vegetable oil

Crispy on the outside and wonderfully chewy on the inside, these classic fried dough spheres are filled with sweet red bean paste and coated in toasted sesame seeds.

40 minMediumServes 4290 cal/serving

ChineseDessertStovetopVeganVegetarianHalal-friendlyGluten-FreeNut-FreeDairy-FreeEgg-FreeSoy-FreePork-FreeAlcohol-FreeLow-SodiumNightshade-Free

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Ingredients

2 cups glutinous rice flour
1/2 cup brown sugar
2/3 cup boiling water
2/3 cup sweet red bean paste, divided
1/2 cup white sesame seeds
4 cups vegetable oil

Instructions

1

Dissolve 1/2 cup brown sugar into 2/3 cup boiling water until completely melted.
2

Pour the warm sugar syrup into 2 cups glutinous rice flour and knead into a smooth dough.
3

Divide dough into equal portions, flatten each, and wrap tightly around 2/3 cup divided sweet red bean paste.
4

Roll the filled dough balls in 1/2 cup white sesame seeds until evenly coated.
5

Heat 4 cups vegetable oil in a deep pot to 320 degrees F.
6

Fry dough balls while gently pressing down to encourage expansion until golden brown.

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Questions

How hot should the oil be for Sesame Balls?

For Sesame Balls, the frying oil is held at 320 F (about 160 C) in step 5. Hotter scorches the outside before the inside cooks, and cooler turns it greasy.

How do I know when Sesame Balls is done?

Go by the cues in the method rather than the clock. Step 4: cook until evenly coated. Step 6: cook until golden brown.

What can I use instead of brown sugar in Sesame Balls?

The entry for Sesame Balls calls for 1/2 cup brown sugar. In its place: White sugar with a tablespoon of molasses per cup. Without molasses, plain white sugar works but bakes up crisper and paler.

Does Sesame Balls contain sesame?

Yes: 1/2 cup white sesame seeds. The full allergen list for this entry is sesame. Seeds used as a garnish can simply be left off; the oil has no true substitute. Packaged ingredients vary by brand, so check labels if the allergy is serious.

How many calories are in Sesame Balls?

One serving (the recipe makes 4) is about 290 calories, with 4 g protein, 48 g carbohydrate and 10 g fat, plus 3 g fiber and 15 mg sodium. The figures are estimates computed from the ingredient list.

Serve it with

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