The sesame ball is a traditional Chinese dessert that is made from glutinous rice flour and typically filled with sweet red bean paste. The balls are then rolled in sesame seeds and deep-fried until they are crispy on the outside and chewy on the inside.
Sesame balls are often served during Chinese New Year as they are thought to bring good luck. In fact, the Chinese name for sesame balls, 芝麻球 (zhī ma qiú), means “lucky sesame balls”.
There are many legends about how sesame balls came to be. One story says that sesame balls were invented by a Daoist monk who was looking for a way to make a nutritious and tasty food that could be easily transported. Another legend says that sesame balls were first made by a woman who was trying to come up with a way to use up her leftover glutinous rice flour.
Whatever the origin of sesame balls, they are now a beloved Chinese dessert that can be found in Chinese restaurants all over the world.
What are some common sesame ball mistakes?
There are many common mistakes people make when cooking sesame balls. One common mistake is not boiling the sesame balls long enough. They should be boiled for at least 10 minutes to cook through properly. Another mistake is not rolling the balls in the sesame seeds properly and not pressing them into the balls firmly enough. This results in the balls not being properly coated and being more likely to fall apart when cooked. yet another mistake is not using enough oil when frying the sesame balls. This can result in the balls not being cooked evenly and can cause them to stick to the pan and burn. Finally, a common mistake is not letting the sesame balls cool completely before serving. This can cause the balls to fall apart and be very difficult to eat.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are sesame seed balls?
Sesame seed balls (or xiao long bao in Mandarin) are a popular Chinese dessert made from tofu and glutinous rice dough wrapped in Balls of Sesame Seeds. Variations can include sweet or savory fillings, such as red bean paste or peanut butter.
What are fried sesame balls (Matuan)?
Fried sesame balls, also known as jian dui or matuan, are a tasty Chinese snack and dessert consisting of a crispy, sesame-coated exterior with a chewy shell and a sweet interior.
What are sesame seed balls made of?
Sesame seed balls are made of glutinous rice flour and filled with different fillings like black sesame paste, red bean paste, crushed peanuts paste or lotus seed paste (traditional style) sweetened with sugar.
What is the best filling for sesame seed balls?
The best filling for sesame seed balls is usually a sweet red bean filling but you can swap this with sesame filling or even a peanut filling if you like.
What is sesame seed?
Sesame seed is the edible oil-rich kernel dried from the fruits of a legume, Sesamum indicum.
