Sesame Balls With Drunken Fig Filling Recipe Epicuriouscom

SESAME BALLS WITH DRUNKEN FIG FILLING

Steps:

• 1. To make the drunken fig filling: Put all the ingredients into a large mixing bowl and stir well to coat the figs with the sugar. Cover and set aside at room temperature for at least 30 minutes, or as long as overnight.
• 2. Transfer the figs and liquid to the bowl of a food processor or an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Process or beat the mixture until mashed to a paste. (You can also mash the mixture by hand with a fork.) Cover and refrigerate until ready to use; the filling can be kept for up to 2 weeks.
• 3. To make the sesame balls: Put the sugar, salt, and baking soda into the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment and mix well; set aside.
• 4. Fill a large saucepan fitted with a steamer basket or rack with water to a dept of 2 inches and bring to a rolling boil. Put the taro in the basket and steam until very soft, about 10 minutes; it should fall apart if poked with a knife. Immediately add the taro to the sugar mixture, and beat on medium speed until smooth and pasty, about 5 minutes.
• 5. Meanwhile, bring 1 cup plus 2 tablespoons water to boil.
• 6. Turn the mixer speed to low and add the glutinous rice flour. When the mixture is crumbly, add the boiling water all at once. (The water must be boiling when added.) Continue beating until the dough is soft and only slightly sticky. Squeeze the dough into a ball, wrap in plastic wrap, and set aside until it cools to room temperature.
• 7. Shape the dough into a log 1 inch in diameter, and cut the log into 2-inch lengths. One at a time, flatten each piece of dough with your palm into a circle 4 inches in diameter and 1/4 inch thick. Put 1 tablespoon of the chilled fig filling into the center of the circle, then bring the edges together to form a half-moon and pinch to seal. Pinch off the excess dough at the two ends and roll the filled dumpling into a ball. Set aside.
• 8. Fill a deep, heavy saucepan with oil to depth of at least 3 inches and heat to 300°F. Fill a shallow dish with 1/8 inch of water and another shallow dish with the sesame seeds. Roll a sesame ball in the water, just enough to moisten, then roll in the sesame seeds until well coated. Press the seeds so they stick to the balls, if necessary. Carefully lower the coated ball into the oil and cook, without stirring, until it floats and is crisp and light golden brown, about 5 minutes. You can cook about 8 balls at a time, but do not overcrowd the pan. Carefully remove from the oil and drain on paper towels. Repeat with the remaining balls. Serve hot or at room temperature.

SESAME BALLS (JIN DEUI)

Steps:

• Pour the bowl of hot water into a pot and add the sugar, stirring continuously until dissolved. Add 2 tbsp of cold water and set aside.
• Check that the water is at a lukewarm temperature. If it is too hot it will result in cooking the dough. In a large mixing bowl, slowly add the water in small increments to the glutinous rice flour whilst kneading with your hands.
• Knead until the dough is shiny and smooth. Based on the dough dryness you may not need all of the water, but if the dough is dry and crumbly, add a bit of water in small increments at a time.
• Wrap the dough in cling film to prevent it from drying out and set aside. Roll the red bean paste into 15 balls (about the size of a chestnut) and place on a plate. Separate the dough into 15 equal balls and cover with cling film.
• Using your palms, flatten the dough balls once or twice (approx 5cm in diameter). Do not flatten it too much as this would create an uneven texture. Place the red bean paste balls onto the dough and gently wrap each one using your fingertips until the filling is fully covered. Roll and shape into a ball.
• Roll the balls into a plate of sesame seeds until it has been fully coated. Pour a large amount of oil into a large deep frying pan (enough to cover a whole sesame ball), and set the flame on high until the oil heats up. To check that it is hot enough, throw a few sesame seeds into the oil. If it floats and bubbles start to form around it, the oil is ready. Turn the flame to a medium-low heat.
• Fry the sesame balls in small batches at a time (around 5). Using a wire skimmer, gently push the sesame balls around so that they do not stick to each other or to the bottom. When it begins to float, press down around each ball. This will produce more air into the sesame ball which will help it to expand. The more you press down around the ball, the bigger it will be.
• When the sesame balls have become large and a golden colour, take them out and place on oil-absorbent paper. Whilst they are cooling, gently push and roll them around a few times to prevent it from deflating when it is fully cooled. You may need to adjust the flame to a low heat when frying the other batches as they will burn quickly if the oil is too hot.

CHINESE FRIED SESAME DESSERT BALLS (JIAN DUI) RECIPE BY TASTY

Steps:

• Make the red bean filling: In a medium bowl, combine the red beans with 1 cup (240 ml) of water. Cover with plastic wrap and soak overnight.
• Drain the red beans, then transfer to a small saucepan with the remaining 3 cups (720 ml) of water. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, then cover and cook for 1 hour, until soft enough to mash with a fork.
• Add the sugar and cook, stirring frequently, until the liquid evaporates and a thick red bean paste forms.
• Transfer the red bean paste to a bowl. Cover with plastic wrap, pressing it directly onto the surface of the paste to prevent a skin from forming. Refrigerate until ready to use.
• Make the dough: In a liquid measuring cup or small bowl, whisk the hot water with the light brown sugar until the sugar dissolves.
• Add the glutinous rice flour to a medium bowl and use a spoon to create a small well in the center.
• Pour the sugar syrup into the well and stir for 5 minutes, until the dough is well combined and no longer sticks to the bowl.
• Lightly dust a clean surface with glutinous rice flour. Turn the dough out and knead for 5 minutes, until it forms a smooth, round ball. Use a little bit more flour or water as needed.
• Divide the dough into 8 pieces. Roll the pieces into small balls, then flatten into discs about ½-inch (1 ¼ cm) thick and 2½-inches (6.5 cm) in diameter.
• Place 1 teaspoon of red bean filling in the center of a piece of dough. Fold in the edges to cover the filling, then roll into a ball. Roll the ball in the sesame seeds until the dough is covered. Repeat with the remaining ingredients.
• Heat the vegetable oil in a large pot until it reaches 350°F (180°C).
• Fry the sesame balls for 15 minutes, stirring frequently, until golden brown. Transfer to a wire rack set over a baking sheet to drain and let cool for 15 minutes before serving.
• Enjoy!