Dessert - Tang Yuen

Pronounced "tongue you-wen", tang yuen is a Chinese tradition celebrating the winter solstice in China sometime in late Nov / early Dec. The Chinese word "tang" (meaning 'soup') sounds like "tuan" which means reunion, while "yuen" means round, signifying "yuan man" (complete /圆满 ). The entire phrase "tang yuen" therefore symbolises "tuan yuen" (family reunion /团圆 ), and eating tang yuen on Dong Zhi represents family reunion and harmony, and also signifies family unity and family prosperity. Although it was not Winter Solstice, this was a sweet ending to another yummy meal .

(Optional serving suggestion : Serve tang yuen dry (i.e. not in syrup) in a mix of ground peanut and sugar (with a dash of salt)).

Ingredients:
1 cup glutinous rice flour
Water


Syrup:
A piece of fresh ginger, about 2 inches
Water (2 parts)
Sugar (1 part)


Method:
1. In a bowl, pour in the glutinous rice flour. Then add in water, tablespoon by tablespoon and stir with a spoon, till a soft dough-like consistency is reached. Roll into a log.

2. Bring a pot of water to boil.

3. Pinch a piece of dough off and shape into a small ball. Drop into boiling water to cook. Repeat till dough all used up.

4. Once the balls float to the top, scoop them out and place them in a bowl.

5. In another saucepan, add ingredients for syrup. Once sugar dissolved, do a taste test. Add sugar / water to bring it to the sweetness you want. Turn off flame and set aside.

6. When slightly cooled, ladle over tang yuen. Serve warm or at room temperature.