Unlock the Secrets: 7 Ingenious Recipes for Heavenly Rice Dumplings – Mytour

Rice dumplings, a cherished tradition of Vietnam, are not just a daily indulgence but also a common sight on ceremonial altars. Here, Mytour Blog presents 7 innovative ways to create rice dumplings, allowing you to showcase your culinary prowess in upcoming festive occasions.

1. Unraveling the Significance and Origins of Rice Dumplings

A beloved Vietnamese delicacy, rice dumplings are crafted from rice flour. Wrapped in a delicate, white outer layer, they harbor a variety of savory and sweet fillings. In the northern region, these dumplings are petite with sweet fillings, often enjoyed without accompaniments. In contrast, in the southern region, they are larger with savory fillings, served alongside a ginger-infused syrup.

Photo by @t.h.i.e.n.g.a

According to Vietnamese culinary culture documents, the creation of floating cakes is based on the legend of dragons and fairies. However, it wasn't until the time of the Hai Ba Trung sisters that this type of cake began to become popular. Legend has it that before going into battle, the Hai Ba Trung sisters stopped by the roadside to enjoy floating cakes made by an old lady. And since then, the tradition of offering floating cakes during festivals and holidays has been established.

Photo by Hang Nga

Vietnam is an agricultural country, always proud of its wet rice civilization, so the floating cake made from glutinous rice is a way for people to honor and express gratitude to one of the most refined agricultural products.

2. How to Make Traditional Vietnamese Floating Cakes

As these cakes are offerings to ancestors, the making process is meticulous and detailed. From the outer layer to the filling and shaping, all require finesse. Below, Mytour Blog will guide you through 7 incredibly enticing ways to make floating cakes. Let's get cooking!

Traditional Method of Making Floating Cakes

Traditional floating cakes are a pale white color, with a fragrant aroma of roasted sesame seeds. The soft and chewy outer layer blends harmoniously with the sweet taste of palm sugar and the aroma of ginger. Eating a piece of cake with a sip of tea is simply unbeatable.

Preparing Ingredients

• Glutinous rice flour: 250gr
• Rice flour: 50gr
• Warm water: 100ml
• Palm sugar: 50gr
• White sesame seeds: 20gr
• Salt: ½ teaspoon

Instructions:

• Cut palm sugar into small pieces. Roast white sesame seeds until fragrant.
• Next, put glutinous rice flour, rice flour, and salt into a clean, dry bowl and mix well. Then slowly add 100ml warm water and mix until it forms a smooth, elastic dough. Wrap the dough tightly with plastic wrap. Let it rest for about 30 minutes.

Image: Collected

• After fermenting, divide the dough into equal portions. Use your hands to roll and flatten each piece of dough, then place a sugar ball in the center, wrap it tightly, and roll it into a ball. Repeat until all ingredients are used up.
• Bring a pot of water to a boil, then add the cakes. Use a spoon to gently stir to prevent sticking.
• Boil until the cakes float to the surface, then remove and place in a bowl of cold water for about 5 minutes to cool. Then transfer the cakes to a plate, sprinkle with toasted sesame seeds, and they're ready.

Image: Collected

How to Make Multicolored Floating Cakes

Not only the traditional floating cakes, but also the multicolored floating cakes will mesmerize you. Made from natural ingredients such as pandan leaves, butterfly pea flowers, hibiscus flowers, and passion fruit, these cakes come in 5 colors: white, blue, green, pink, and yellow. They offer a variety of unique flavors.

The preparation process is similar to the traditional method mentioned earlier, but in the dough kneading step, you will divide it into 5 different portions. Each portion will be combined with various ingredients to achieve the desired colors. You can enjoy these cakes as dry cakes or with syrup.

Image: Collected

How to Make Coconut Milk Floating Cakes

One of the secrets to making traditional floating cakes more enticing is coconut milk. The fragrant and creamy coconut milk combined with soft and chewy cakes makes them irresistibly delicious.

To make this dish, follow similar steps as mentioned above. Use basic ingredients such as glutinous rice flour, mung beans, grated coconut, coconut milk, etc. From preparing the filling, outer layer, shaping, to boiling the cakes. When cooking the syrup, you can either add coconut milk directly or separately and pour it over when serving.

Photo by @bonbonheo85

How to Make Mango Stuffed Floating Cakes

In addition to the traditional flavor, there are many other delicious ways to make floating cakes. Mango stuffed floating cakes combine chewy glutinous rice flour with the juicy sweetness of mango. Especially when you take a bite, the filling bursts in your mouth, creating a delightful sensation.

Instructions:

• Glutinous rice flour: 500gr
• Ripe mangoes: 2-3 fruits
• Arrowroot starch: 1 tablespoon
• Coconut milk: 50ml
• Roasted peanuts, white sesame seeds, 1 small ginger root, sugar.

Execution Steps

Step 1: Prepare Ingredients

• Roast white sesame seeds until fragrant. Crush roasted peanuts in a mortar.
• Clean and peel ripe mangoes, then cut into small square pieces about 1cm. Peel and wash ginger, then slice or crush.

Image: Collected

Step 2: Making Mango Filling

• After cutting the mangoes, marinate them with sugar at a ratio of 2:1 for about 30 minutes.
• Heat a pan on the stove, when hot, add the marinated mangoes and sauté for about 5 minutes. Be gentle to avoid crushing the mangoes.
• Once the sugar has completely dissolved, turn off the heat, let it cool, and then store in the refrigerator.

Step 3: Kneading Dough and Forming Cakes

• Put glutinous rice flour into a large bowl and slowly pour in 400ml of filtered water. Mix well and knead until the dough is smooth, forming a cohesive ball that doesn't stick to your hands.
• Divide the dough into small balls, flatten and press, then place the mango filling in the center. Fold the dough over the filling to completely enclose it. Repeat until all ingredients are used.

Step 4: Boiling the Floating Cakes

• Bring a pot of water to a boil, then add the floating cakes. When the cakes are cooked and float to the surface, remove and transfer them to a bowl of cold water.Let the cakes soak for a few minutes to cool, then transfer to a plate. This method will help the cakes firm up and prevent them from sticking together.

Image: Collected

Step 5: Making Syrup

• Use the same pot of water used to boil the cakes earlier, add sugar and ginger slices. Keep the heat low and stir until the sugar is completely dissolved.
• Next, mix arrowroot starch and coconut milk in a small bowl until well dissolved. Then slowly pour it into the pot of sugar water, stirring constantly.
• Stir until the mixture thickens, then add the floating cakes. Boil for about 2 – 3 minutes, then turn off the heat. When serving, simply scoop into bowls, sprinkle with sesame seeds and roasted peanuts on top, and enjoy.

Image: Collected

The best way to enjoy mango stuffed floating cakes is to put the whole cake in your mouth. Therefore, it's best not to make the cakes too big; making them just the right size will make them easier to eat.

Note: Avoid making the syrup too sweet (as the mango filling is already sweet), as it can become overwhelming. If you prefer a richer flavor, you can add more coconut milk.

How to Make Savory Stuffed Floating Cakes

For those who like something new, try making these incredibly mouth-watering savory stuffed floating cakes. 

Preparing Ingredients

• Glutinous rice flour: 500gr
• Minced pork: 200gr
• Small shrimps: 200gr
• Mung beans: 500gr
• Grated coconut: 500gr
• Ginger, toasted sesame seeds, scallions, shallots, a small amount of each
• Seasonings: Salt, seasoning powder, sugar, pepper,…

Image: Collected

Instructions:

Step 1: Prepare Ingredients

• Clean and steam the mung beans until soft, then grind into a paste. Stir-fry with a little oil, add some sugar and salt to taste.
• Extract coconut milk from the grated coconut. Peel and clean the ginger, then crush. Peel and finely chop the shallots. Clean and finely chop the scallions.
• Clean the shrimps (you can peel and finely chop them), mix with minced meat, then season with: ½ teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon seasoning powder, ½ teaspoon MSG, ½ teaspoon sugar, a pinch of pepper, and finely chopped shallots. Mix well and marinate for 10 - 15 minutes.

Step 2: Shape the Dumplings

• After the mung beans are stir-fried and cooled, divide them into small portions. Then flatten and place the marinated shrimp and meat mixture in the center, wrap tightly.
• Once the filling is done, proceed to make the dough. Put glutinous rice flour in a large bowl, then slowly pour about 400ml of warm water. Knead until smooth and elastic.
• Continue to divide the dough into small portions, then wrap each portion of the filling in the center and shape into balls again. Repeat until all ingredients are used up. Note: Ensure the dough completely covers the filling.

Image: Collected

Step 3: Cooking the Glutinous Rice Balls

• Bring a pot of water to boil, then add the glutinous rice balls. When the balls float to the surface, remove them and soak in a bowl of cold water for about 2 minutes, then transfer to a plate.
• In another pot, bring about 2 liters of water to a boil. Add 100 grams of sugar and stir until dissolved. Then add the cooked glutinous rice balls and crushed ginger. Adjust the sweetness to taste, then turn off the heat. You can adjust the amount of sugar according to your preference.
• Serve in a bowl, pour over the coconut milk, and sprinkle with toasted sesame seeds. If you prefer not to have coconut milk, you can skip this step and it will still taste delicious.

Finished Product

Once finished, the product will be incredibly enticing, with the fragrant aroma of toasted sesame seeds and the creamy richness of coconut milk. The final product is extremely sophisticated, consisting of three layers. The outer layer of the cake is smooth, the inner layer of mung bean is chewy, and the filling of shrimp and pork inside is what brings this unique flavor.

Image: Collected

How to Make Purple Sweet Potato Glutinous Rice Balls

Have you ever tried purple glutinous rice balls? If not, don't miss out on this super enticing recipe for purple sweet potato glutinous rice balls.

Prepare the Ingredients

• Glutinous rice flour: 400g
• Mung beans: 200g
• Purple sweet potatoes: 200g
• Ginger: 1 piece
• Roasted peanuts, toasted sesame seeds, fried shallots
• Seasonings: Cooking oil, sugar, salt, vanilla powder

Image: Collected

Instructions:

Step 1: Steam Mung Beans and Purple Sweet Potatoes

• Soak the mung beans for at least 2 - 4 hours. Then, put them in a pot, add water until covering the beans, and cook for about 30 minutes until the beans are soft.
• Peel and clean the purple sweet potatoes, then steam until tender. Peel and julienne the ginger.

Step 2: Make the Dough

• After steaming, mash the sweet potatoes with a spoon. Next, add glutinous rice flour and slowly pour in 200ml warm water, then mix well.
• Knead until the dough forms a smooth, non-sticky mass. Wrap it tightly with plastic wrap and let it rest for about 30 minutes.
• Note: The amount of water may vary depending on the absorbency of the flour. If the dough is too dry, add more water; if it's too sticky, add more flour.

Photo: Collection

Step 3: Make Filling and Shape the Dumplings

• After cooking the mung beans, mash them and add 3 tablespoons of sugar, 8g of vanilla, ½ teaspoon of salt, and 3 teaspoons of fried shallots. Mix well and let cool, then shape into small round balls.
• Similar to the methods above, divide the kneaded dough into small portions that match the amount of filling. Then, place the filling in the center, wrap it tightly, and shape it into a round ball. Seal the dough tightly to prevent air from getting inside, ensuring that the dumplings won't crack or break when boiled.

Step 4: Boil the Dumplings

• Bring a pot of water to boil, add some cooking oil to prevent the dumplings from sticking together. When the water boils, gently add the dumplings and stir. Wait until the dumplings float to the surface, then remove and soak in cold water for 2 minutes before transferring to a plate.
• In another pot, bring 500ml of water to boil, add 400g of sugar, a pinch of salt, and stir well. Once the water boils, add the dumplings and thinly sliced ginger. Cook for an additional 4 - 6 minutes, then turn off the heat.
• Serve the dumplings in a bowl, sprinkle with crushed peanuts and toasted sesame seeds on top, and enjoy.

Photo: Collection

Finished Product

Purple sweet potato dumplings have a beautiful purple color. The outer shell is chewy with a hint of sweetness from the sweet potato. The mung bean filling is rich, creamy, and fragrant with fried shallots. The addition of spicy ginger, creamy peanuts, and fragrant toasted sesame seeds ensures a memorable eating experience.  

Red Bean Glutinous Rice Dumplings Recipe

Red bean glutinous rice dumplings symbolize good luck. During the Lunar New Year, people often cook this dessert to wish for a smooth and fortunate year ahead.

Prepare the Ingredients

• Glutinous rice flour: 500g
• Red beans: 500g
• Ginger: 1 piece
• White sugar: 200g
• Palm sugar: 400g
• Salt, toasted sesame seeds

Instructions:

Step 1: Making Red Bean Filling

• Soak red beans for at least 2 hours, then cook until soft. Transfer the cooked beans to a blender and blend until smooth.
• While blending, add 200g of white sugar and a pinch of salt. Transfer the mixture to a pot, cook over low heat, stirring until thickened. Then, let the red bean paste cool and shape it into equal-sized balls.

Image: Collection

Step 2: Making the Dough and Shaping

• Put glutinous rice flour in a large bowl and slowly pour warm water while kneading evenly.Note: Avoid using cold water as it may cause the flour to clump and not dissolve completely. Also, avoid using hot water as it may make the dough too sticky and difficult to shape.
• Once the dough is smooth and not sticky, divide it into small portions. Use your hands to flatten each portion and place red bean filling in the center. Seal the dough tightly to prevent the filling from leaking out, then roll it into a round shape to make it look more attractive.

Step 3: Cooking the Dumplings

• After wrapping the dumplings, place them in a pot and cook until they float, then transfer them to a bowl of cold water and soak for about 2 minutes before removing.
• In another pot, add 300ml water, 400g palm sugar, and a pinch of salt, then bring to a boil until the sugar dissolves. Next, add the dumplings and thinly sliced ginger, and cook for an additional 3 – 5 minutes before turning off the heat.
• Serve the dessert in bowls, sprinkle some toasted sesame seeds on top, and then you can invite your family to enjoy.

Image: Collection

Finished Product

The round, adorable red bean dumplings are incredibly enticing. The soft and chewy outer layer perfectly complements the sweet and delicious red bean filling. Eating these red bean dumplings brings prosperity for the whole year, so why wait? Let's make them right away.

3. Tips for Making Delicious Rice Dumplings

• Use lukewarm water, around 50 - 70°C, to knead the dough. Pour the water slowly to prevent the dough from becoming too sticky.
• The outer layer of the dumplings should not be too thick, just thin enough to enclose the filling completely. Avoid inadequate wrapping, as the dumplings may break during cooking.
• Cook the dumplings over low heat and avoid boiling them for too long. Once the dumplings float for about 30 seconds, remove them and immediately place them in a bowl of cold water.

Although it may seem intricate and meticulous, the process is not difficult at all. Just master the 7 ways to make rice dumplings above, and you'll confidently showcase your skills. It's guaranteed to impress every member of your family. Mytour Blog wishes you success!