Making 汤圆 (Tang Yuan)

The Winter Solstice Festival (冬至) was celebrated a few days ago. As far as I know, the celebration is to mark the day when the sun spends the shortest time in the sky! Perhaps it is to usher in the new season – winter. One tradition that still lives on is the making of glutinous rice balls or in Chinese, 汤圆 (Tāng Yuán). The making of these symbolize the reunion of family members. Even the Japanese, Koreans and the Vietnamese celebrate the Winter Solstice Festival (冬至). I did have my share of fun making 汤圆!

First, you need the raw materials. As for my family, we had two packets of glutinous rice flour – one red and the other white. I don’t think having them colored is a good choice! Might be colouring! Unless of course natural extracts have been used to give the colour. Besides that, you would need a packet of groundnut powder mixed with sugar and a few slices of the “gula Melaka”. First, take a suitable amount of flour and mold it into a shape of a teacup.

Place the fillings (in this case, the powder and the “gula Melaka”) into the “teacup” you have just made. Carefully, add some flour on the top to seal the fillings in a sphere. Roll the sphere with the palms of your hands still you get a smooth surface without cracks on it. The conventional shape is a sphere but perhaps you could try other shapes. I just don’t know what would happen if you did.

After you have made enough, it is time to soak/boil them in the soup you have prepared earlier (Oops! Forgot to mention about the soup! Usually it’s sweet). Just dunk them into the soup gently to avoid splashes! They’ll sink to the bottom. Oh, another note! When you remove the 汤圆 from the tray (on which you place them first), make sure to roll it with your palms one last time. When you’re there, you’ll know why. Make sure you turn the gas up to boil the soup!

The boiling question now is when do I know whether the 汤圆 is ready to be served? Somehow, nature has it’s way of getting your attention. When the 汤圆 floats to the top, it means that it is ready to be consumed! Don’t boil them too long or I don’t know what will happened! Never tried!

Scoop the 汤圆 into individual bowls.

Serve them while they are still hot!

If you’d like something extra for your 汤圆 experience, why not dip/dunk the 汤圆 into groundnut powder? Mmm, crunchy and tasty!

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