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Brown rice flour is divided into three main types: brown rice flour, glutinous rice flour, and brown rice flour. What sets these flours apart? What kind of cakes can you make with brown rice flour? Let's explore the details with Mytour before baking
1. What is brown rice flour?
Brown rice flour is a fine powder made from brown rice specifically used for cooking rice. Brown rice flour, also known simply as rice flour, is distinct from glutinous rice flour (made from glutinous rice grains). In Vietnam, brown rice flour is a widely popular and easily accessible ingredient for making cakes.
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2. Distinguishing brown rice flour, glutinous rice flour, and brown rice flour
Before exploring what cakes can be made with brown rice flour, let's distinguish these 3 types of rice flour.
Brown rice flour
Brown rice flour has a smooth texture and a cloudy white color. When mixed with water, it forms a silky mixture without creating stickiness. Brown rice flour is widely used in dishes like crispy pancakes, rolled cakes, rice paper, and wet rice noodle sheets.
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Glutinous rice flour
Glutinous rice flour is finely ground from dried glutinous rice grains. It has a pure white color and a very fine, sticky texture. When mixed with water and heated, glutinous rice flour turns soft, sticky, and has a milky-white appearance. This is the primary ingredient for traditional desserts such as sticky rice cake, khuc cake, floating dumplings, and transparent filled dumplings.
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Brown rice flour
Brown rice flour is made from brown rice grains. This type of flour has a relatively coarse texture and a light brown color. It has a rich taste and a subtle, characteristic aroma of brown rice. With high nutritional value, it is used in making cakes and dishes that support the treatment of diabetes, regulate heart rhythm, and reduce cholesterol levels.
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3. How to choose brown rice flour for baking
When it comes to making delicious cakes with brown rice flour, the process of selecting the flour plays a crucial role. Pay attention to the following factors:
- Color: Good brown rice flour has a cloudy white color, and it feels smooth and cool to the touch.
- Freshness: Fresh brown rice flour has a subtle rice fragrance. The flour should not have any unusual discoloration, mold, or signs of insects.
- Brand: Prioritize packaged flour, and check the packaging for essential information such as the manufacturer's name, production date, expiration date, ingredients, and usage instructions.
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4. How to make brown rice flour at home
Step 1: Rinse the rice thoroughly to remove any dirt or remaining husk. Soak the rice in clean water overnight. Rinse again with clean water 2-3 times.
Step 2: Grind the soaked rice into a smooth paste with clean water.
Step 3: Allow the smooth paste to settle for 3-5 hours. When you see the flour settling at the bottom of the bowl and the water on top, carefully discard the water. Place the flour in a clean cloth, tie it tightly, and use a heavy object to press out any remaining water.
Step 4: Divide the dough into small portions, place them on a clean tray or platter, and leave them in the sun for several hours until the dough is completely dry.
Step 5: Grind the dried dough into a fine powder. Place it in a clean glass jar, seal it tightly, and store it in a dry place for gradual use.
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5. What delicious treats can you make with brown rice flour?
Here are some popular and easy-to-make homemade cakes. Don't miss out!
Steamed rice cakes in small bowls
Steamed rice cakes in small bowls are a distinctive snack from the Central provinces. These cakes have a sweet and soft flavor from brown rice flour, combined with a flavorful filling of shrimp and meat, creating a visually appealing and delicious dish. Enhance the taste by adding a bit of pork floss, fried shallots, and a touch of sweet and spicy fish sauce.
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Pandan layer cake
Pandan layer cake is a traditional cake that often graces significant occasions such as weddings, engagements, memorial services, or festive celebrations in the Western provinces. Made from brown rice flour, glutinous rice flour, tapioca flour, mung beans, and pandan leaves, the cake boasts a fragrant aroma, soft texture, sweet taste, and a rich, coconut milk-infused flavor.
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Savory Vietnamese crispy pancakes
Wondering what delightful treat you can make with brown rice flour? Definitely, don't overlook the Vietnamese savory pancakes known as bánh xèo. While the ingredients for the pancakes are not overly complex, the key lies in the skilled hands of the cook to achieve a crispy, thin crust without breaking. The filling should be flavorful, paired with the perfect sweet and tangy fish sauce.
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Pandan leaf jelly cake
In the childhood memories of many, pandan leaf jelly cake is an irresistibly attractive snack. With a beautiful light green color, it is chewy, rich in flavor, and exudes a fragrant aroma of pandan leaves. Dip it in roasted sesame coconut milk or sweet syrup for a delightful treat. The process and ingredients for making pandan leaf jelly cake are straightforward, mainly consisting of brown rice flour, tapioca flour, and pandan leaves.
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Bánh tầm bì
Wondering what delightful treat you can make with brown rice flour? Show off your skills with the exquisite bánh tầm bì. This dish is a perfect combination of pork skin, pork sausage, cucumber, fresh herbs, and chewy, resilient rice sheets, creating a unique and satisfying texture. To enhance the flavor, it is often paired with coconut milk and a dipping sauce made of garlic-infused spicy fish sauce.
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Steamed sponge cake
Steamed sponge cake is a fluffy delicacy with its origins traced back to China. The main ingredients for making steamed sponge cake are quite simple, including rice flour, sugar, water, and yeast. Combined with pandan leaves, taro, and palm sugar, it brings forth various unique and enticing flavors.
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Fish cake noodle soup
If you haven't had the chance to set foot in the beautiful land of Nha Trang, you can still indulge in this specialty right at home. The unique flavor comes from the harmonious blend of sweet broth simmered from fish and vegetables, the chewy texture of brown rice flour noodle strands, and the firmness of crispy fish cake slices made from delicious fresh fish such as tuna, mackerel, and sailfish.
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Fried savory bao buns
If you're wondering what delightful treats you can make with brown rice flour, consider the enticing and flavorful fried savory bao buns. The unique taste comes from the tender meat filling, rich and savory salted egg, crunchy and sweet enoki mushrooms, along with various vegetables and fragrant fried shallots. The outer layer of the buns is made from deep-fried golden brown rice flour, presenting a visually appealing crispiness. This dish is often served with chili sauce for an extra burst of flavor.
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Mytour is here to explore with you what delightful treats you can create with brown rice flour. Check out these 8 cakes to showcase your culinary skills and enjoy with your family.
