Peanut Dumplings (Tang Yuan)
These handmade peanut dumplings (tang yuan) have a chewy, silken skin with a nutty, roasted peanut filling. Served in a warming sweet ginger soup, this authentic dessert is a tradition for Chinese New Year and the Lantern Festival.
Servings: 4 people
Ingredients
- 8 oz glutinous rice sticky rice flour
- ¾ cup water
Filling:
- 3 oz ground peanuts
- 3½ tablespoons fine sugar
- 3½ tablespoons peanut butter
Sweet Ginger Soup (姜茶):
- 5 cups water reduced to 4 cups after boiling
- 4 oz old ginger skin peeled and then lightly pounded with the flat side of a cleaver
- 2 pandan leaves or screwpine leaves, tie them into a knot, optional
- 1 cup sugar
- ½ teaspoon sweet osmanthus optional
Instructions
- Mix all the filling ingredients in a bowl until well combined and easy to shape. If the mixture feels dry, add a little more peanut butter. Divide the mixture into 20 balls and set aside.
- In a large bowl, mix the glutinous rice flour with water until it forms a smooth dough that no longer sticks to your hands. Divide the dough into 20 equal balls. Flatten each ball in your palm, place a filling ball in the center, then fold and seal the edges, making sure the filling is fully enclosed. Gently roll between your palms to form a smooth ball. Set aside.
- To prepare the sweet ginger soup, bring the water to a boil in a pot. Add the ginger and pandan leaves, if using, and boil over medium heat for 10 to 15 minutes. Add the sugar and boil for another 5 minutes. Reduce the heat to a simmer and let the syrup reduce to about 4 cups. Taste and adjust the sweetness if needed.
- Heat another pot of water until boiling. Drop the dumplings into the hot water, and once they float to the top, transfer them to serving bowls. Spoon the sweet ginger soup over the dumplings and serve immediately.
Video
Nutrition
Serving: 4people | Calories: 668kcal | Carbohydrates: 117g | Protein: 13g | Fat: 19g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 6g | Monounsaturated Fat: 9g | Sodium: 84mg | Potassium: 399mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 62g | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 49mg | Iron: 1mg