{"id":"recipe_9b5952684b","slug":"tangyuan-sweet-rice-balls","title":"Tangyuan (Sweet Rice Balls)","description":"A classic East Asian dessert featuring chewy, glutinous rice balls filled with a rich, nutty black sesame paste, served in a warm, fragrant ginger syrup.","serves":4,"time":{"prepMinutes":30,"cookMinutes":15,"totalMinutes":45,"activeMinutes":40},"ingredients":[{"id":"ingredient-1","original":"200g glutinous rice flour","name":"Glutinous Rice Flour","quantity":200,"unit":"g","usQuantity":"1 1/2","usUnit":"cup","form":"powder","notes":"also known as sweet rice flour","group":"Dough","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-2","original":"150ml warm water","name":"Warm Water","quantity":150,"unit":"ml","usQuantity":"2/3","usUnit":"cup","form":"warm","notes":"","group":"Dough","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-3","original":"50g black sesame seeds","name":"Black sesame seeds","quantity":50,"unit":"g","usQuantity":"1/2","usUnit":"cup","form":"toasted","notes":"","group":"Filling","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-4","original":"40g sugar","name":"Sugar","quantity":40,"unit":"g","usQuantity":3,"usUnit":"tbsp","form":"granulated","notes":"","group":"Filling","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-5","original":"40g unsalted butter or lard","name":"Butter","quantity":40,"unit":"g","usQuantity":1.4,"usUnit":"oz","form":"melted","notes":"unsalted; lard is traditional for a more savory aroma","group":"Filling","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-6","original":"500ml water for syrup","name":"Water","quantity":500,"unit":"ml","usQuantity":2,"usUnit":"cup","form":"liquid","notes":"","group":"Syrup","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-7","original":"3 slices of ginger","name":"Ginger","quantity":3,"unit":"slice","usQuantity":3,"usUnit":"slice","form":"fresh slices","notes":"peeled","group":"Syrup","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-8","original":"30g rock sugar","name":"Rock sugar","quantity":30,"unit":"g","usQuantity":1.1,"usUnit":"oz","form":"rock","notes":"brown sugar can be substituted","group":"Syrup","optional":false}],"instructions":[{"id":"instruction-1","text":"Toast the black sesame seeds in a dry pan over medium heat for 2-3 minutes until fragrant. Grind them into a fine powder using a blender or mortar and pestle.","group":"Make Filling","title":"Toast the black sesame seeds","timerMinutes":3,"sourceTitle":"Make Filling"},{"id":"instruction-2","text":"Mix the ground sesame seeds with granulated sugar and melted butter. Stir until a thick paste forms. Refrigerate for about 15 minutes to firm up, then roll into 20 small balls (about 5-6g each).","group":"Make Filling","title":"Mix the ground sesame seeds","timerMinutes":15,"sourceTitle":"Make Filling"},{"id":"instruction-3","text":"In a large bowl, slowly add warm water to the glutinous rice flour. Knead until a smooth, pliable dough forms that doesn't stick to your hands.","group":"Make Dough","title":"In a large bowl, slowly add warm water","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Make Dough"},{"id":"instruction-4","text":"Divide the dough into 20 equal portions. Flatten a portion of dough, place a sesame ball in the center, and wrap the dough around the filling. Roll between your palms to make a smooth sphere.","group":"Assembly","title":"Divide the dough","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Assembly"},{"id":"instruction-5","text":"In a pot, combine the syrup water, ginger slices, and rock sugar. Bring to a boil (212°F / 100°C) and simmer for 5 minutes.","group":"Cooking","title":"Combine the syrup water, ginger slices, and rock sugar","timerMinutes":5,"sourceTitle":"Cooking"},{"id":"instruction-6","text":"Gently drop the rice balls into the boiling syrup. Cook until they float to the surface, which indicates they are done. Serve warm in the syrup.","group":"Cooking","title":"Gently drop the rice balls","timerMinutes":5,"sourceTitle":"Cooking"}],"notes":"Ensure the water for the dough is warm to help the glutinous rice flour hydrate properly, which prevents the balls from cracking. If the filling is too soft, freeze it for a few minutes to make it easier to wrap.","cuisine":{"group":"East Asian","specific":["Chinese"]},"course":["dessert"],"cookingMethod":["boil"],"equipment":["pot","blender or mortar and pestle","mixing bowl"],"diet":["vegetarian","gluten_free","egg_free"],"allergens":["milk","sesame"],"difficulty":"medium","yield":{"amount":20,"unit":"piece","note":"Makes about 20 rice balls"},"makeAhead":{"instructions":"The sesame balls can be rolled and frozen before cooking. Boil directly from frozen for an extra 2-3 minutes."},"storage":{"food":{"instructions":"Best served fresh. If stored, keep in the syrup to prevent the dough from drying out.","reheatingNotes":"Reheat gently in the microwave or on the stovetop until the center is soft."}},"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Frecipe_9b5952684b%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=f3596217-e7e5-484d-a475-300c86c94ffd","imageAlt":"Tangyuan (Sweet Rice Balls) — recipe cover","aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","sourceUrl":"","tags":["tangyuan","rice balls","sweet","sesame","chinese dessert","chewy","mochi"],"schemaVersion":1,"sourceTitle":"Tangyuan (Sweet Rice Balls)","sourcePublishedAt":"2026-02-04T19:38:05.130Z","sourceUpdatedAt":"2026-02-04T19:38:05.130Z","related":[{"id":"recipe_ca9c87ad67","slug":"injeolmi-korean-rice-cakes","title":"Injeolmi (Korean Rice Cakes)","description":"A classic Korean dessert consisting of chewy, soft rice cakes made from glutinous rice flour and coated in nutty, toasted soybean powder.","serves":4,"time":{"prepMinutes":10,"cookMinutes":5,"totalMinutes":25,"activeMinutes":15},"cuisine":{"group":"East Asian","specific":["Korean"]},"course":["dessert"],"difficulty":"easy","diet":["vegan","vegetarian","gluten_free","dairy_free"],"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Frecipe_ca9c87ad67%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=385f6364-55ea-4845-ab94-8ac79d9d42d0","imageAlt":"Injeolmi (Korean Rice Cakes) — recipe cover","tags":["korean","rice cake","mochi","gluten free","vegan","chewy","soybean","traditional"],"aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","ingredientCount":5,"stepCount":6},{"id":"recipe_ccccb482e4","slug":"kakigori-japanese-shaved-ice","title":"Kakigori (Japanese Shaved Ice)","description":"A light and airy traditional Japanese dessert made of finely shaved ice flavored with sweet syrups and topped with condensed milk or traditional ingredients like sweetened red beans.","serves":1,"time":{"prepMinutes":5,"cookMinutes":0,"totalMinutes":5,"activeMinutes":5},"cuisine":{"group":"East Asian","specific":["Japanese"]},"course":["dessert"],"difficulty":"easy","diet":["vegetarian","gluten_free"],"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Frecipe_ccccb482e4%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=9bded2bc-0f7d-4a29-a087-57febe37da7e","imageAlt":"Kakigori (Japanese Shaved Ice) — recipe cover","tags":["kakigori","shaved ice","japanese dessert","summer","refreshing","cold treat"],"aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","ingredientCount":4,"stepCount":4},{"id":"recipe_fe47d48a74","slug":"patbingsu-korean-shaved-ice","title":"Patbingsu (Korean Shaved Ice)","description":"A classic Korean summer treat featuring snowy shaved ice topped with sweet red bean paste, chewy rice cakes, and creamy condensed milk.","serves":2,"time":{"prepMinutes":15,"cookMinutes":0,"totalMinutes":15,"activeMinutes":15},"cuisine":{"group":"East Asian","specific":["Korean"]},"course":["dessert"],"difficulty":"easy","diet":["vegetarian","gluten_free"],"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Frecipe_fe47d48a74%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=26197653-fe28-4705-bcc9-a99fc3eeffb9","imageAlt":"Patbingsu (Korean Shaved Ice) — recipe cover","tags":["patbingsu","shaved ice","korean dessert","red bean","summer","refreshing","mochi"],"aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","ingredientCount":5,"stepCount":4}]}