Dongzhi – Homemade Tang Yuan (Black Sesame Filling, Peanut Filling, Coconut Filling)

Dong Zhi Festival is coming up on December 21st this year and as mentioned in last weeks post, tang yuan is a traditional food that is eaten on this day. Last week we focused on making the dough as well as how to best serve it with ginger syrup. So this week, this post will show you some filling suggestions and how to make them. The fillings on this post today will be black sesame paste, peanut filling, and coconut filling!

WHERE TO BUY BLACK SESAME POWDER?

This can be purchased at asian Supermarkets such as T&T Supermarket, H-Mart, or 88 Supermarket.

If you can’t find the black sesame powder, you can easily make it yourself! Simply grind up black sesame seeds in a spice grinder, coffee grinder or with a mortar and pestle.

WHERE TO BUY COCONUT CREAM POWDER?

This can be purchased at asian Supermarkets such as T&T Supermarket, or 88 Supermarket. I purchased mine at 88 Supermarket.

WHERE TO BUY GLUTINOUS RICE FLOUR

This can be purchased at asian Supermarkets such as T&T Supermarket, H-Mart, or 88 Supermarket.

---

Dongzhi – Homemade Tang Yuan (Black Sesame Filling, Peanut Filling, Coconut Filling)

Makes 12

Ingredients: Glutinous Rice Ball Dough (see recipe here) Black Sesame Filling 1/4 c black sesame seed powder (black sesame seeds ground up in spice grinder) 1/4 c granulated sugar 2 tablespoon coconut oil or butter or lard Peanut Filling ¼ cup granulated sugar ¼ cup peanut butter Coconut Cream Filling 2 tablespoon unsweetened coconut flakes 1 tablespoon coconut cream powder 1 tablespoon coconut oil 1 tablespoon condensed milk

To make the black sesame filling In a small bowl, mix together black sesame powder, sugar and coconut oil until well mixed.

To make the peanut filling In a small bowl, mix together peanut butter and sugar until well mixed.

To make the coconut cream filling In a small bowl, mix together coconut flakes, coconut cream powder, condensed milk, and coconut oil until well mixed.

Assemble:

1. Take about 1 1/2 tablespoon of the glutinous rice dough and roll it into a ball.

2. Then using your thumb, make a small imprint in the centre.

3. Then scoop about 1/2 tablespoon of filling into the center.

4. Seal the rice dumpling completely.

5. Shape the balls as round as possible.

To cook the tang yuan:

1. Bring a large pot of water to boil. Once boiling, add the balls.

2. The balls should rise to the surface about 5 minutes into boiling, after it rises to the surface, boil for 2 minutes.

3. Scoop out the dumplings with some of the water and serve with sugar or ginger syrup.

---