A simple Filipino dessert that combines rice flour, sugar, coconut and water. That’s it, but the result is a comforting and addictive semi-sweet treat that might have you coming back for more.
Preparation:
To cook:
Level: Easy
Serves: 10
Ingredients
- 2 cups Sticky rice flour (or make your own if you have sticky rice)
- 1 cup Lukewarm water
- 1 cup coconut flakes
- 1 cup Sugar
- ¼ cups Sesame seeds (optional)
Preparation
Add flour to a bowl. Add the water to the flour. Mix gently with a wooden spoon until the dough forms. Once the dough is formed, scoop out some and try to shape it into a ball. Is it difficult? If so, you will need to add a little more water, about a tablespoon at a time. If it’s too loose, you’ll need to add a little more rice flour. Make sense ? Cool.
Then bring a pot of water to a high heat and let it boil. Meanwhile, start forming those balls. The balls should be the size of a large marble or about half the size of a golf ball. You can also flatten these balls into a disc shape if you like. You decide.
While the water continues to boil, combine the sugar and coconut flakes on a plate. If you are using sesame seeds, now would be a good time to mix in some as well. Feel free to put this mixture in a bowl if you wish. The goal is to use the cooked rice balls and either roll them or lightly coat them in this mixture, so what works best for you (plate or bowl), you decide next.
As soon as the water boils, add the balls. My pot allowed about 8 balls at a time so anything worked.
The balls will cook in water, so feel free to reduce the heat to a simmer so it doesn’t boil over. You will know when the balls are done when they start to float. It takes about 8-10 minutes on average. Once the balls float, remove them with a slotted spoon, letting the excess water drip off. Add the balls to a paper towel-lined plate to cool slightly.
Take the slightly cooled balls and roll them up and coat them in the coconut and sugar mixture. Repeat with the remaining balls. I think 3-4 balls per person works well and this batch is probably around 25 balls, depending on size.
I will admit that I personally think these are best eaten hot because over time the sugar coating melts from the hot balls and they seem to be a bit moist but still good. Once these babies are coated, they are ready to serve.
