Glutinous Rice Ball Dessert

This was my favorite dessert growing up. My mom is an amazing cook and she use to make many popular vietnamese desserts. It is different from the original since I don't like the yellow bean paste that typically goes inside these golf size balls. It can be replaced with peanuts, red bean paste, sesame paste etc, however, I prefer it just plain. The beauty of this easy recipe is that you can alter the sugar soup however you like (I've added fresh squeezed orange juice for citrus or traditionally served with toasted chopped peanuts & sesame seeds and some coconut milk)

• Ready In: 25 mins
• Serves: 2-4
• Yields: 4 Small bowls

Ingredients

• 1  cup  glutinous flour
• 1⁄3 cup water (or more, if needed)
• 1⁄3 cup brown sugar
• 2  slices  fresh gingerroot
•  icy cold water

• Optional for Sugar Soup

•  toasted and chopped peanuts
•  toasted sesame seeds
•  coconut milk

Directions

1. Put flour and water in a bowl and mix with a spoon (since the flour is so fine it doesn't need to be whisked). The texture should not be sticky, add more flour if it is. If too dry, you won't be able to roll them in quarter sized balls (they will break apart). My mother never measured anything, it was always about texture.
2. Boil a pot of water (2/3 full).
3. Roll the dough in quarter sized balls and drop them into the boiling water (the dough can be rolled into any shape - footballs, worms, squares etc). When they float remove them with a slotted spoon and put into a separate bowl with ice water. Once done, set aside.
4. In a smaller pot, add water (1/2 full), add brown sugar and slices of ginger. Allow to boil and then turn down to simmer. Use slotted spoon to pick up all cooked rice balls and drop them into the sugar/ginger soup. Allow balls to soak in soup for 20-30 minutes.
5. Pour into bowls and serve. Enjoy!