Soft, chewy steamed dumplings made with a blend of rice flours, filled with sweet red bean paste. These delicate treats have a pretty pink and white appearance perfect for dim sum or dessert.
These tender rice dumplings are a classic Chinese dessert with a lovely dual-tone appearance. The pink outer layer comes from adding a bit of pink food coloring to half the dough, creating an eye-catching presentation.
Combine glutinous rice flour, rice flour, and wheat starch in a large bowl. Whisk together until evenly distributed.
Stir in sugar, vegetable oil, and milk. Mix until you get a smooth, thick batter with no lumps. The consistency should be similar to pancake batter.
Cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap. Steam over boiling water for 25 to 30 minutes until the dough is fully cooked through and translucent.
Carefully remove from steamer. Stir with chopsticks to release excess moisture, then let cool just until comfortable to touch. Knead vigorously until you get a smooth, pliable dough.
Split the dough in half. Add a few drops of pink food coloring to one half and knead until evenly colored. Leave the other half white.
Divide each portion into 8 equal pieces (16 total). Flatten each piece in your palm, place a spoonful of red bean paste in the center, then pinch closed and roll into a smooth ball.
Arrange the finished balls on parchment-lined steamer trays. Steam for 5 minutes just to set the shape. Serve warm or at room temperature.
Tender red dates are carefully pitted and filled with a sweet glutinous rice dough, then steamed until beautifully soft and gooey. This classic Chinese dessert gets its poetic name from the tender hearts that emerge when you bite into each stuffed date.
