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Many still ponder what delightful treats can be made with rice flour filtration and how to use it appropriately. Instead of buying ready-made cakes from the store, preparing cakes from rice flour by hand is not only more suitable for family taste buds but also much safer. Explore more about rice flour filtration and essential cooking tips with Mytour right here.
1. Differentiating Rice Flour Filtration and Regular Rice Flour
Rice flour filtration is a familiar ingredient in crafting authentic Vietnamese cakes. From this type of rice flour, one can create various soft, fragrant cakes. Before diving into the realm of what delicious treats can be made with rice flour filtration, let's understand how it differs from regular rice flour.
What is Rice Starch?
Rice starch, known as rice flour filtration, is the English term for bột gạo lọc. This type of rice starch is made from brown rice through various processes such as soaking, grinding, and milling into a fine powder.
Main characteristics of rice starch:
- Neutral taste
- Pure white color
- Forms a smooth, non-sticky gel when mixed with water
- GMO-free, gluten-free, and allergy-friendly
- Excellent digestibility
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The Process of Crafting Rice Flour Filtration
Soaking the Rice
Begin by soaking brown rice in water to soften the grains, making them easier to grind. This soaking process facilitates the release of starch during the milling, ensuring a smoother result.
Grinding the Rice
The grinding process helps release the starch inside the rice granules, transforming them into rice flour.
Stirring
During this step, starch molecules escape the starch granule pouch, increasing the overall starch content. Stirring causes impurities to rise to the surface, aiding in the removal of lipids within the rice.
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Draining the Residue
This step involves separating the flour from the water. You can employ draining or centrifugal methods to accomplish this.
Dividing the Moist Flour
After draining, you'll have a sticky dough. Next, divide this dough into equal portions, wrapping them with fabric.
Air-drying Process
After dividing the dough, it is either air-dried or machine-dried to achieve a maximum moisture content of 15% over approximately 4-6 hours. The drying process plays a role in reducing the internal moisture in rice flour under conditions where microorganisms and molds would otherwise cause damage. After drying, the flour can be packaged, stored, or finely ground for usage.
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Distinguishing Rice Flour Filtration from Brown Rice
Brown rice flour is ground from brown rice grains without soaking or filtering. It has a cloudy and slightly dull white color. When mixed with water, it forms a murky, slightly sticky mixture, unlike rice flour filtration, which creates a gel-like mixture when mixed with water.
Brown rice flour is often used in various desserts such as sponge cake, water fern cake, steamed layer cake, noodle soup cake, and fried dishes like fried glutinous rice cake. Additionally, it is employed to reduce the chewiness in some popular desserts such as fried doughnuts and floating dumplings to suit the taste preferences of many.
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2. What Delicious Treats Can You Make with Rice Flour Filtration?
If you're wondering what delightful dishes you can create with rice flour, here are some simple and easy-to-make treats.
Rice Rolls
Rice rolls have a delightful aroma and are easy to enjoy. Made from rice flour filtration combined with brown rice flour, these rolls are filled with a mixture of fragrant spring onions and minced meat. After spreading a thin layer, a touch of fried shallot oil is added for an extra glossy finish. The rolls carry a subtle taste of rice flour and a rich fragrance of shallot oil. To elevate the experience, pair them with fresh herbs, sausage, and dried squid for an added layer of allure.
Ảnh: Curated Collection
Bamboo Shoot Pandan Cake
Bamboo shoot pandan cake typically incorporates ingredients such as refined rice flour, palm sugar, and yeast, with an incredibly simple preparation process. The cake, famous in the Mekong Delta, entices with its golden-brown crust and the rich, sweet flavor of coconut milk and palm sugar. Savoring a slice of bamboo shoot pandan cake is akin to experiencing the very essence of Southern Vietnamese culture.
Ảnh: Curated Collection
Rice Cakes
When someone asks what delicious treats can be made with rice starch, one cannot overlook rice cakes. These thin, round cakes resemble water fern leaves or are crafted into delightful circular shapes. Paired with minced shrimp or roasted peanuts, fried shallot oil, and enjoyed with a side of delicious fish sauce, these cakes may also be accompanied by crispy fried fatback or especially fragrant toasted baguette in some regions. Despite its simplicity, this dish holds an irresistible charm.
Ảnh: Curated Collection
Sizzling Vietnamese Crepes
Savory Vietnamese Crepes
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Rice Dumplings
Rice dumplings might be a familiar breakfast dish for many Vietnamese. The soft, velvety rice flour dough combined with a savory filling of quail eggs, wood ear mushrooms, and flavorful minced meat is incredibly enticing. To enhance the allure, these dumplings can be paired with Vietnamese pork sausage, frankfurters, cucumber, or a hint of chili sauce.
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3. Tips for Using Rice Flour in Baking
- When choosing high-quality rice flour, ensure it feels smooth without any impurities. The flour should have no unusual color or signs of mold.
- To make the flour smoother and more elastic, add ½ teaspoon of table salt.
- You can mix rice flour with other types of flour to reduce its stiffness.
With these tips, hopefully, you now know what rice flour is best for in baking and have gained some experience in cooking with rice flour. Occasionally, prepare delicious dishes for the whole family to enjoy.
