Glutinous Rice Balls to Warm Up Your Winter Holidays

The Winter Solstice solar term brings us the shortest day of the year, followed by the longest night and many cold days ahead. It’s a good time to pay attention to food that can balance the yin and yang on cold days.

Rice has always been a staple food in the Chinese diet. Since ancient times eating glutinous rice balls during the cold winter has warmed the soul and put the body at ease, increasing the much-needed yang (warm, active) energy in one’s body.

It’s a Chinese folk custom to eat glutinous rice balls on the winter solstice, as the round balls symbolize completeness and abundance. The whole family gathers around to make glutinous rice balls for the Winter Solstice Festival in late December.

Here’s a delicious dessert you can enjoy with your loved ones.

Ingredients:

250 g sticky rice flour
200 ml water
150 g red bean paste filling
4 tablespoons brown sugar
1 pinch of dried osmanthus