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Palitaw
Sticky rice discs with coconut
Palitaw: boiled sticky rice discs coated in coconut, sugar and toasted sesame
Palitaw comes from the Tagalog word for rising to the surface, which is exactly how you know they are cooked. Flat ovals of glutinous rice dough are dropped into boiling water, sink, then float up a minute later; they are lifted out, rolled in freshly grated coconut and finished with a sprinkle of sugar mixed with toasted sesame. Vendors in Laguna and Batangas sell them warm on banana leaves for merienda. Chef's tip: roll the dough thin, about 5 mm; thick palitaw float before the centre is cooked and stay pasty inside.
- Total time
- 30 min
- Difficulty
- easy
- Serves
- 6
Ingredients
- 9 oz glutinous rice flour
- ¾ cup water
- 3 tbsp sesame seeds
- 2 ⅞ oz white sugar
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Method
0/5 doneStep 1: Toast 3 tbsp sesame seeds in a dry pan over a medium heat, shaking, until golden and popping, 3 minutes. Cool and mix with 2 ⅞ oz white sugar.
3 minStep 2: Mix 9 oz glutinous rice flour with ¾ cup water into a smooth, soft dough that doesn't stick to your hands.
3 minStep 3: Roll walnut-sized pieces into balls, then flatten each into an oval about 5 mm thick.
8 minStep 4: Bring a large pan of water to a rolling boil. Drop in 6–8 pieces at a time; they sink first. When they float, cook 30 seconds more, then lift out with a slotted spoon.
12 minStep 5: Roll each hot disc straight into 5 ½ oz fresh or frozen grated coconut so it sticks, lay on a plate and sprinkle with the sesame sugar. Eat the same day, while soft.
Nutrition per serving
- Calories
- 300 kcal
- Protein
- 4 g
- Carbs
- 48 g
- Fat
- 11 g
- Fibre
- 3 g
Nutrition values are estimates.
KrazyBadal
Good to know
- How long does palitaw take?
- About 30 minutes in total: 15 minutes to prepare and 15 minutes to cook.
- How many people does it serve?
- 6 as written. Change the servings above the ingredients and every amount scales to match.
- Is it vegan?
- Yes. It has no meat, fish, dairy or eggs.
- Is it gluten free?
- Yes, as written. Check the labels on stock, sauces and spice mixes, which sometimes contain gluten.
- What can I use instead of sesame seeds?
- Poppy seeds or finely chopped pumpkin seeds, same amount.
- What can I use instead of white sugar?
- Caster sugar, same amount.
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