As one of the representatives of traditional Chinese cuisine, tangyuan plays an important role in festivals such as the winter solstice and the Lantern Festival. However, as a more innovative way to eat, fried rice balls are often distressing because of cracking. So, should the glutinous rice balls be boiled before they can be fried?
The origin of glutinous rice balls
Tangyuan, also known as the Lantern Festival, is one of the treasures of traditional Chinese cuisine. At first, the preparation of glutinous rice balls was as simple as kneading glutinous rice flour with water and then wrapping it with various fillings. As time went on, people began to experiment with more ways to eat them, including fried rice balls.
The correct way to fry rice balls
The key to successfully frying the dumplings without cracking is the following steps:
1.Cook the rice balls beforehand.
Before frying the rice balls, we first need to cook the rice balls. This step ensures that the glutinous rice flour inside the glutinous rice balls is fully fermented, increasing its elasticity and toughness. Put the glutinous rice balls in boiling water and boil, and when the glutinous rice balls rise to the surface and become transparent, you can remove them for later use.
2.The surface of the rice balls should be dry.
Before frying the rice balls, we make sure that the surface of the rice balls is dry. You can place the cooked dumplings in a breathable container and let them air dry, or gently wipe the surface of the dumplings with a kitchen paper towel.
3.Control the oil temperature.
When frying glutinous rice balls, the oil temperature is also crucial. Too high an oil temperature will cause the outer layer of the rice balls to zoom rapidly, while the inside is not fully cooked, causing cracking. It is recommended to control the oil temperature at about 170 degrees Celsius, which can not only ensure the golden crispiness of the outer layer of the rice balls, but also ensure that the inside is fully cooked.
4.Fry carefully.
Gently place the glutinous rice balls into the preheated oil to avoid oil splashing and causing injury. The frying time should be mastered, generally about 3-5 minutes. When the surface of the rice balls is golden brown and becomes crispy, you can remove and drain the oil for later use.
How to choose glutinous rice balls
When choosing glutinous rice balls, we can consider the following aspects:
1.Where to buy.
Try to choose regular shopping malls, supermarkets and other sales channels to buy glutinous rice balls to ensure their quality and health safety.
2.Origin.
Knowing where the dumplings come from is also an important purchasing factor. Generally speaking, the rice balls produced in the southern region are of better quality and taste.
3.Ingredient.
Different glutinous rice balls have different textures and flavors, and can be chosen according to personal preference. Common glutinous fillings include peanuts, red beans, black sesame seeds, etc.
A delicacy of glutinous rice balls
In addition to deep-frying, there are many other ways to eat tangyuan. For example:
Glutinous rice balls: Cook the cooked glutinous rice balls together in sugar water, soy milk and other liquids. This method retains the original flavor of the rice balls, while adding some changes in taste.
Zongzi: Wrap the glutinous rice balls in the zongzi leaves, and then steam, which is delicious and fragrant.
Stew: Glutinous rice balls are added to the stew and slowly simmered with other ingredients to increase the taste and aroma of the stew.
Whether fried, boiled in soup or otherwise, tangyuan is a delicious traditional food that not only has a unique taste, but also symbolizes auspiciousness and happiness. I hope that through the introduction of this article, you can help you make fried rice balls that are full of flavor and do not crack, so that your festival will be more hearty and delicious.
In short, as a representative of traditional Chinese cuisine, tangyuan has its own unique charm, whether it is fried or other ways to eat. When making fried dumplings, cooking them beforehand, controlling the oil temperature, and handling them carefully are the key steps. At the same time, when buying glutinous rice balls, it is necessary to choose products with reliable origins. May you make delicious fried rice balls for friends and family to enjoy during the festive season.