Sesame Balls with mung bean filling | Butsi

Sesame Balls (Butsi) is a type of fried Filipino pastry made from glutinous rice flour. The pastry is coated with sesame seeds on the outside and is crisp and chewy. 

Sesame Balls Recipe

Makes 20-25 sesame balls
Recipe adapted from Epicurious

INGREDIENTS:

• 400g glutinous rice flour
• 130g sugar (+/-)
• 130ml hot water or 10ml more for adjusting
• 1/4 tsp salt
• ½ teaspoon baking powder (optional)
• 1 cup roasted white sesame seeds
• 100g mung bean paste or other filling
• water for dipping
• more glutinous rice flour for dusting
• oil for frying

DIRECTIONS:

1. Dissolve brown sugar in 130 ml hot water.
2. Place the rice flour in a large bowl. Make a well and add sugar water all at once. Stir until the water is incorporated; the dough will be smooth but slightly sticky. If too dry add more water and if too sticky add more rice flour.
3. Dust hands lightly with rice flour and roll dough into a thick rope. Cut the rope into 24 equal pieces, roll each piece into a ball and flatten to make a 2 1/2-inch round.
4. Using the thumbs and index fingers from both hands, pleat the edge of the dough to form a cup. Place one index finger into the cup and gently press the dough into the opposite palm on all sides of the cup to create a smooth, even surface and to make the dough even thinner.
5. Add about 1 teaspoon of the red bean paste mixture. Bring the edges of the dough over the filling. Squeeze together the dough, pressing to seal the dough securely. Roll between palms to form a ball. Repeat with the rest of the dough. Dip dough ball in water and then roll and press the outside of each ball in the sesame seeds.
6. In a deep pot, heat vegetable oil over medium-high heat until hot but not smoking. Carefully add 6 sesame balls at a time, and cook over medium heat until golden, 6 to 7 minutes. As the balls float to the surface, begin to press them gently with the back of a metal spatula against the sides of the pot. The balls will expand as they are gently rotated and pressed. Increase the heat to medium-high and fry until golden brown, about 2 minutes. Place on a plate lined with several paper towels. Repeat with remaining sesame balls. Set aside oil to cool before discarding. Serve immediately.