Ube (Purple Yam) Coconut Rice Balls

Before preparing rice balls, boil some water in a medium saucepan.

Stir 1/2 cup of the lukewarm water (not the boiling water – you’ll use that for another purpose) into your glutinous rice flour, adding a little bit more water from the remaining half cup as needed until the dough comes together and is firm but pliable.

Flatten a tablespoon of dough into a circle then fill it with 1 teaspoon of ube halaya*. Gather the sides of the dough around the ube halaya and pinch to seal. Slowly roll the dough between your palms to make a ball.

Drop a few balls in the boiling water. After a minute or two, the rice balls will float. When they do, ladle them out of the water and immediately roll in coconut flakes and sugar. Top with sesame seeds.

*For Ube Halaya recipe please check my TastyKitchen Recipe Box.

Notes:
1. You can purchase pre-made ube halaya in Asian stores.
2. Feel free to substitute the ube halaya filling with sweet potatoes or dulce de leche.