If you're a fan of Chinese cuisine, you've probably heard of sesame seed balls or "Jian Dui" in Chinese. These sweet treats are a popular dim sum dish that originated in Southern China and are enjoyed by many around the world. They are made of glutinous rice flour and filled with sweet red bean paste, then coated in sesame seeds and deep-fried until golden brown.
Making your own Chinese sesame seed balls at home is easier than you might think. With just a few ingredients and some basic cooking techniques, you can recreate this classic dim sum dish in your own kitchen. You can even get creative with the recipe and try out different variations, such as adding seafood to the filling or using different types of seeds for coating.
Key Takeaways
- Chinese sesame seed balls are a popular dim sum dish made of glutinous rice flour and sweet red bean paste.
- Making sesame seed balls at home is easy with just a few ingredients and basic cooking techniques.
- You can get creative with the recipe by trying out different variations, such as adding seafood to the filling or using different types of seeds for coating.
Ingredients and Variations
Essential Ingredients
To make Chinese sesame seed balls, you will need a few essential ingredients. The first one is glutinous rice flour. This flour is made from sticky rice and is what gives the balls their chewy texture. You will also need sesame seeds, sugar, and water.
Filling Options
The most common filling for sesame seed balls is red bean paste, which is made from boiled and mashed adzuki beans mixed with sugar. You can also use lotus seed paste or black sesame paste as a filling. If you want to add a seafood twist, you can experiment with using shrimp paste or crab meat as a filling.
Dietary Adaptations
If you are vegan, you can make the sesame seed balls with a vegan filling like sweet potato or taro. To make the recipe gluten-free, make sure to use glutinous rice flour that is labeled as such, as some brands may contain gluten. You can also use alternative flours like rice flour or cornstarch in place of wheat flour.
Overall, Chinese sesame seed balls are a delicious and versatile dessert that can be adapted to suit your dietary preferences and taste buds. Experiment with different fillings and variations to find your perfect recipe.
Preparing the Dough
Mixing the Ingredients
To make Chinese sesame seed balls, you'll need to prepare the dough first. The dough is made from sticky rice flour, which is also known as glutinous rice flour. Begin by mixing 1/2 cup of sticky rice flour with sugar in a bowl. Then, pour 1/4 cup of boiling water into the bowl and stir the mixture with a rubber spatula until smooth. Let the mixture sit for about 5 minutes.
After 5 minutes, add 1 cup of sticky rice flour and 1/4 cup + 1 tablespoon of room temperature water to the bowl. Mix the ingredients together until they form a smooth, sticky dough. The dough should be soft and pliable, but not too sticky.
Dough Consistency
The consistency of the dough is crucial to the success of the recipe. If the dough is too dry, it will crack and break when you try to shape it. On the other hand, if the dough is too wet, it will be difficult to work with and the sesame balls won't hold their shape.
To achieve the right consistency, you may need to adjust the amount of water you use. If the dough is too dry, add a little more water, a tablespoon at a time, until the dough is soft and pliable. If the dough is too wet, add a little more sticky rice flour, a tablespoon at a time, until the dough is firm enough to hold its shape.
As a suggestion, you can add seafood to the recipe to give it a unique twist. Shrimp or crab meat can be added to the filling to create a savoury version of the sesame balls. Alternatively, you can serve the sesame balls with a seafood dipping sauce.
Shaping and Coating
Forming the Balls
To form the balls, take a small amount of dough and roll it between your palms to form a smooth ball. The ball should be approximately the size of a golf ball. When forming the balls, it is important to ensure that they are uniform in size so that they cook evenly.
Coating with Sesame Seeds
Once you have formed the balls, it is time to coat them with sesame seeds. You can use either white sesame seeds or toasted sesame seeds. Toasted sesame seeds will give the sesame balls a nuttier flavour, while white sesame seeds will give them a milder taste.
To coat the balls with sesame seeds, place the seeds in a shallow dish. Take a ball and roll it in the seeds, pressing lightly to ensure that the seeds stick to the dough. Make sure that the ball is fully coated in seeds without any empty spots.
If you want to add a twist to the recipe, you can propose the use of seafood. For example, you can add chopped prawns or crab meat to the filling. This will add a delicious seafood flavour to the sesame balls. However, make sure that the seafood is cooked before adding it to the filling.
Cooking Techniques
Deep Frying
To cook your Chinese sesame seed balls, you will need to deep fry them. Deep frying is a cooking technique that involves submerging food in hot oil. It is a quick and easy way to cook food, and it creates a crispy exterior while keeping the interior moist and tender.
When deep frying your sesame seed balls, it is important to use the right type of oil. Vegetable oil, peanut oil and coconut oil are all good options. Make sure to heat the oil to the correct temperature before adding your sesame seed balls. A kitchen thermometer can help you achieve the right temperature, which should be around 350°F (180°C).
Oil Temperature Control
Maintaining the correct oil temperature is crucial to ensuring that your sesame seed balls are cooked properly. If the oil is too hot, the balls will burn on the outside and be raw on the inside. If the oil is too cool, the balls will absorb too much oil and become greasy.
To control the oil temperature, it is important to use a deep pot with plenty of oil. This will help to keep the temperature stable. You should also avoid overcrowding the pot, as this can cause the temperature to drop.
If you notice that the oil temperature is dropping, you can turn up the heat slightly to bring it back up to the correct temperature. If the temperature is too high, you can turn down the heat or remove the pot from the heat for a few minutes.
As a suggestion, you can also add seafood to your sesame seed balls recipe. Shrimp or crab meat can be a delicious addition to the filling, providing a unique and tasty twist on the classic recipe.
Serving and Storage
Presentation Tips
Chinese sesame seed balls have a unique appearance with their golden brown color and round shape. These small treats are perfect for serving as a dessert, snack, or even as part of a larger meal. To make them look even more appealing, you can dust them with some powdered sugar or sesame seeds.
If you want to add a seafood twist to your sesame seed balls, you can try adding some shrimp or crab meat to the filling. This will give your sesame balls a unique flavor and texture that is sure to impress your guests. Make sure to cook the seafood beforehand and chop it into small pieces before mixing it with the filling.
Storage Advice
To keep your sesame seed balls fresh and tasty, it is important to store them properly. You can keep them at room temperature for up to 2 days, but it is recommended to store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week. If you have leftovers that you want to freeze, you can place them in a freezer-safe container and store them for up to 2 months.
When reheating your sesame seed balls, it is best to use a steaming technique. This will help to retain the soft and chewy texture of the balls. Simply steam them for a few minutes until they are heated through. You can also microwave them for a few seconds, but be careful not to overheat them as this can cause them to become tough and dry.
In conclusion, Chinese sesame seed balls are a delicious and unique snack that can be enjoyed by anyone. By following these presentation and storage tips, you can ensure that your sesame seed balls are always fresh and tasty.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the best way to make sesame seed balls without any filling?
If you prefer to make sesame seed balls without any filling, you can simply skip the step of adding the filling to the dough. The dough is made from glutinous rice flour, sugar, and water. After mixing the ingredients together, form the dough into small balls, coat them with sesame seeds, and fry them in hot oil until golden brown. You can also experiment with adding seafood to the dough for a unique twist.
Could you tell me what goes into the sweet paste inside sesame seed balls?
The sweet paste filling inside sesame seed balls is typically made from red bean paste, lotus seed paste, or black sesame paste. These pastes are made by blending the cooked beans, seeds, or sesame with sugar until smooth. If you want to add a seafood twist to the filling, you can try adding small pieces of shrimp or crab meat.
How do you properly cook sesame seed balls from frozen?
To cook sesame seed balls from frozen, first, let them thaw at room temperature for about 30 minutes. Then, heat up some oil in a pan until it reaches 350°F. Add the sesame seed balls to the oil and fry them for 4-5 minutes until they are golden brown and crispy on the outside. Drain the excess oil and serve hot.
Are all sesame seed balls suitable for a vegan diet?
Not all sesame seed balls are suitable for a vegan diet. Some recipes call for the use of butter or milk in the dough, which are not vegan-friendly. However, you can easily make vegan sesame seed balls by using plant-based milk and vegan butter substitutes. If you want to add seafood to the recipe, you can try using seaweed or kelp as a flavourful alternative.
How long can you keep sesame seed balls in the fridge before they go off?
Sesame seed balls can be stored in the fridge for up to 3 days before they start to go off. To keep them fresh for longer, store them in an airtight container in the freezer for up to 2 months. When you're ready to eat them, simply thaw them at room temperature and reheat them in the oven or microwave.
Is it okay to have sesame seed balls as a part of a healthy diet?
Sesame seed balls are not the healthiest food option, as they are deep-fried and high in calories. However, they can still be enjoyed as an occasional treat as part of a balanced diet. If you want to make them healthier, try baking them instead of frying them, and experiment with adding seafood or other healthy ingredients to the recipe.