Chinese Sesame Balls - Jian Dui Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What are Chinese sesame balls made of? ›

They are made with a sticky rice flour dough, filled with a sweet paste, rolled in sesame seeds, and fried until crispy on the outside, but still soft and chewy on the inside. They're called zhīma qiú in Mandarin: 芝麻球.

Mung bean paste: For a smooth rather than chunky mung bean paste, use husked mung beans, which are yellow. Storage: Store sesame balls in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.

Remove the balls from the oil, and place on a wire rack or paper towel lined plate to cool. I would recommend blotting off the excess oil before cooling on a wire rack since these were quite oily. Store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven or with a light fry in oil or an air fryer.

The origins of jian dui can be traced back to the Tang dynasty as a royal food in Chang'an, known as lüdui (碌䭔). This food item was also recalled in a poem by the Tang poet Wang Fanzhi.

They are not only delicious but also have great meaning behind them. The way they inflate during cooking signifies prosperity. The balls rise up in the hot oil, and so this dish is often made to wish a person good luck. You'll find sesame balls at Lunar New Year celebrations or at weddings to share happiness.

If I'm feeling ambitious, I'll make it myself by toasting sesame seeds until golden, cooling them, then grinding them in a food processor with just enough sesame oil (dribbled in gradually) to make a paste. Here are a few of my favorite ways to use the finished paste, whether homemade or store-bought.

Mix Chinese sesame paste with equal parts water. Add the water slowly until you have reached the desired consistency. Some people like it thicker whereas others might prefer it more watery. The choice is up to you, just don't add to much water!

They are best served hot, nutty and crispy outside, creamy and sweet (red bean paste filling) or savory (minced meat filling) inside. They can be eaten cold, or warm up for 20 seconds in microwave, the outside becomes chewy.

Rich in proteins and healthy fats these delicious sesame balls are extremely nutritious. To match your personal taste you might consider adding choice of assorted nuts, seeds, popped grains or a touch of spices.

Is Jian Dui a dessert? ›

Fried Sesame Balls, also known as Jian Dui, are a classic Chinese dessert traditionally served during Lunar New Year. The crisp, chewy pastries are made with glutinous rice flour filled with sweet red bean paste. A coating of sesame seeds give them a toasty, nutty finish when fried.

Sesame seeds are a good source of healthy fats, protein, B vitamins, minerals, fiber, antioxidants, and other beneficial plant compounds . So grab a few sesame seeds ball on a day to maintain your magnesium level.

Something like sesame balls that are a rich source of dietary fiber. It not only brings back your bowel habits to normal, but it also lowers your cholesterol and regulates blood sugar levels.

They contain calcium, magnesium and copper, beneficial for asthma and arthritis. They have even be found to be sources of tryptophan and thiamin, both helpful in dealing with stress and anxiety. Healthful properties aside, these energy balls are seriously scrumptious. They have a very silky, luscious texture.

Tangyuan are a traditional Chinese dessert made of glutinous rice shaped into balls that are served in a hot broth or syrup. They come in varying sizes, anything between a marble to a ping pong ball, and are sometimes stuffed with filling.