Healthy Red Bean and Sorghum Dumplings
How to Make Naturally Sweet Red Bean and Sorghum Balls: A Recipe for Delicious, Nutty Health Cakes with a Rustic Texture
Introducing wholesome and healthy cakes made with red beans and sorghum, ingredients traditionally associated with wishing for health and longevity, and whose red color is believed to ward off evil spirits. These cakes boast a delightful rustic texture, allowing you to savor the pure, unadulterated flavors of the ingredients. They are perfectly suited as a wholesome snack, offering a simple, nutty, and satisfying taste. Red beans and sorghum are known for aiding digestion and promoting blood circulation. They are also rich in antioxidants, potentially contributing to anti-cancer properties. Furthermore, their abundance of iron and phosphorus can help improve anemia, while their high fiber content promotes satiety, making them beneficial for weight management. Packed with various vitamins and minerals, they contribute to skin beauty and can help lower cholesterol levels and improve blood circulation, aiding in the prevention of adult diseases.
Ingredients for Approximately 3 Servings
- Red beans: 2 cups (before soaking)
- Sorghum: 2 cups (before soaking)
- Water (for boiling red beans)
- Cinnamon powder (a pinch)
- Salt (a pinch)
- Avocado oil: 1 tsp
- Nuts (optional, walnuts, pine nuts, etc.)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Soak the Red Beans: Rinse the 2 cups of red beans (measured with a paper cup) thoroughly and soak them in plenty of water overnight. Leave them at room temperature.
Step 2
First Boil of Red Beans: Place the soaked red beans in boiling water and cook for 10 minutes. Discard the cooking water, then rinse the beans well to remove tannins, which can cause a bitter taste.
Step 3
Second Boil of Red Beans: Add about 4 cups of fresh water to the rinsed beans and bring to a boil again. Once the beans are slightly tender, rinse them in water. Add about 1 teaspoon of salt and boil again. Cook on high heat for 10 minutes, then reduce to medium-low heat for another 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Step 4
Drain and Cool the Boiled Red Beans: Drain the boiled red beans completely using a sieve. Let them cool for at least 5 minutes.
Step 5
Mash the Red Beans (for Rustic Texture): If desired, lightly sauté the drained beans in a dry pan over low heat to remove more moisture. Then, mash them roughly using a mortar and pestle or a similar tool. If you prefer a chewier texture with whole bean pieces, mash them coarsely, leaving some beans intact.
Step 6
Season the Red Bean Filling: Add a pinch of cinnamon powder and a pinch of salt to the mashed red beans. Mix well. The natural sweetness of red beans and sorghum is subtle, so no additional sugar is needed. The cinnamon adds a lovely aromatic touch.
Step 7
Cook the Sorghum Rice: Use pre-soaked sorghum (soaked the day before) and cook it as rice in a pressure cooker for a chewy texture.
Step 8
Mash the Sorghum Rice: Using a wooden mortar and pestle or another mashing tool, mash the sorghum rice until about 50% of the grains are broken. It’s important to leave some whole grains for texture. If the sorghum rice is too sticky or moist, refrigerate it for a while after mashing to make it easier to handle.
Step 9
Form the Dumplings and Prepare Red Bean Coating: Shape the sorghum mixture into bite-sized balls. Spread the mashed red bean filling thinly and evenly on a plate.
Step 10
Coat the Dumplings: Roll the sorghum balls over the prepared red bean coating, ensuring an even layer covers each dumpling. Shape them into neat spheres.
Step 11
Prevent Sticking: Wear disposable gloves and lightly coat your hands with avocado oil. This prevents the sorghum mixture from sticking to your hands. (Optional tip: For added flavor and texture, mix finely chopped walnuts or pine nuts into the sorghum mixture before shaping.)
Step 12
Serve and Enjoy: Arrange the finished red bean and sorghum dumplings attractively on a serving dish. These are best enjoyed with a warm tea, soy milk, or regular milk for a satisfying and nutty treat. Enjoy your healthy and delicious snack time!
