Date: 02/08/2025 02/09/2025
Location: Star River Meditation Center
Teacher: Yunquan Huang
Weekly Buddhist Cuisine Menu
Fortune Glutinous Rice Balls in Sweet Soup
Summary:
This is a soft and chewy traditional vegan dessert symbolizing good fortune and family unity. The glutinous rice balls are served in a fragrant red date and osmanthus soup, making it a perfect festive treat.
Ingredients:
Glutinous Rice Balls:
Glutinous rice flour 200g
Warm water 160ml (added gradually)
Granulated sugar 1 tablespoon (optional, for extra sweetness)
Black sesame filling 50g (optional, homemade or store-bought)
Sweet Soup:
Red dates 8 (pitted)
Goji berries 1 tablespoon (optional)
Dried osmanthus flowers 1 teaspoon (optional)
Rock sugar 2 tablespoons
Water 800ml
Instructions:
1. Prepare the Glutinous Rice Balls:
In a large bowl, mix glutinous rice flour with warm water, adding gradually while kneading until a soft, non-sticky dough forms.
Roll small portions into smooth balls. For filled rice balls, flatten a piece of dough, add black sesame filling, then seal and roll into a ball.
Place the finished balls on a lightly floured plate to prevent sticking.
2. Make the Sweet Soup:
In a pot, add 800ml of water and the red dates. Bring to a boil, then simmer for 10 minutes to release the natural sweetness.
Stir in the rock sugar until dissolved. Add goji berries (optional) and dried osmanthus flowers (optional), simmering for another 2 minutes.
3. Cook the Rice Balls:
In a separate pot, bring water to a boil. Gently add the rice balls, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking. Once they float, cook for another 2 minutes, then transfer to the sweet soup.
4. Serve and Enjoy:
Ladle the rice balls and sweet soup into bowls. Serve warm and enjoy the soft, chewy texture with the fragrant, lightly sweet broth.
