Fried Sesame Seed Balls

This delicious treat is most popularly enjoyed during the Chinese New Year but can be enjoyed year round when you try this easy to follow recipe.

Ingredients

• 3 cups rice flour
• 1 cup sweet red bean paste
• 1 1/3 cup boiling water
• ¾ cup brown sugar
• ½ cup untoasted sesame seeds
• 6 cups peanut oil

Preparation

1. In a large saucepan, heat oil to 350 F. Spread sesame seeds over wax paper and place a small bowl of water next to wax paper. In a small bowl, dissolve brown sugar into one cup of the boiling water. In a large bowl, place rice flour, making a well in the center and adding the sugar and water mixture. Stir until dough turns sticky and caramel colored. You may add the remaining 1/3 cup of water if needed.


2. Take a piece of dough, about 2 inches wide and make a deep indent into the dough, and form a small cup with the dough. Take one teaspoon of red bean paste and roll into a ball, placing it into the the dough and folding dough over top to seal and roll into a ball shape. Continue this until dough is used up. Dip the formed ball into the bowl of water and roll over sesame seed, do this until all balls are covered with sesame seeds.



3. Place sesame balls into oil, a few at a time until the seeds turn light brown and then use a spatula to press the balls against the sides of the saucepan until they expand about 3 times their original size and are golden brown. Drain and serve.