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A popular Taiwanese breakfast dish, fan tuan is composed of a ball of glutinous rice that is stuffed with an assortment of savory ingredients, including dried meat, preserved vegetables, and scallions. It is a straightforward yet gratifying dish that is flavorful and invigorating, rendering it an ideal commencement to the day.
Fan tuan is conventionally prepared using glutinous rice, a type of rice renowned for its adhesive properties and exceptional shape retention. After being steamed until tender, the rice is stuffed with an assortment of ingredients. The most common fillings include:
- Preserved vegetables: Typically, pickled vegetables, such as mustard greens, bamboo stalks, or radishes, constitute preserved vegetables. They impart a sour and saline taste to the fan tuan.
- Dried meat: Any variety of dried meat may be considered dried meat. Examples include pork floss, bovine jerky, and sausage. It imparts umami and a delectable essence to the fan tuan.
- Scallions: Enrich the fan tuan with a flavorful and aromatic bite. Additionally, they serve to counterbalance the robust flavors present in the preserved vegetables and desiccated meat.
Seaweed or plastic wrap is then used to encase the fan tuan, which is then compressed into a spherical shape. This facilitates the assembly of the ingredients and renders the fan tuan more palatable.
Fantuan is customarily accompanied by a dipping condiment, which may consist of chili oil, soy sauce, or sesame oil. Additionally, it is enjoyable on its own.
Ingredients
- 1 cup glutinous rice, rinsed
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 cup chopped preserved vegetables
- 1/4 cup dried pork floss
- 1/4 cup chopped scallions
- 1/4 cup sesame seeds, toasted
- Plastic wrap or dried seaweed
- Dipping sauce (optional)
Instructions
- Rinse the glutinous rice until the water runs clear.
- Soak the glutinous rice in water for at least 30 minutes, or up to overnight.
- Drain the glutinous rice and place it in a steamer basket.
- Steam the glutinous rice for 30-40 minutes, or until cooked through.
- While the rice is steaming, prepare the filling. In a bowl, combine the preserved vegetables, pork floss, scallions, and sesame seeds.
- Once the rice is cooked, remove it from the steamer and let it cool slightly.
- Spread a thin layer of rice on a piece of plastic wrap or seaweed.
- Top the rice with a spoonful of the filling.
- Fold the plastic wrap or seaweed over the filling and squeeze the rice into a ball shape.
- Repeat with the remaining rice and filling.
- Serve with dipping sauce, if desired.
Tips
- Before using conserved vegetables in fan tuan, marinate them for 30 minutes in a mixture of soy sauce and sesame oil to enhance their flavor.
- In the absence of glutinous rice, conventional rice may be substituted. Conversely, the fantuan will lose some of its adhesion and may disintegrate.
- Additional ingredients, such as cooked mushrooms, minced eggs, or shredded carrots, may be added to the filling.
- Fan tuan may be prepared in advance and retained in a refrigeration unit for a maximum of two days.
Variations
- To make fan tuan vegetarian, omit the desiccated meat.
- For a vegan fantuan, substitute a dairy-free dipping sauce in place of the dried beef.
- Additionally, various preserved vegetable varieties, such as kimchi or sauerkraut, may be utilized.
- To enhance the heat of the fan tuan, garnish the filling with a sprinkle of chili powder or red pepper flakes.
Nutritional Information
One serving of Fantuan (without dipping sauce) contains approximately:
- Calories: 300
- Fat: 10 grams
- Saturated fat: 5 grams
- Cholesterol: 50 milligrams
- Sodium: 400 milligrams
- Carbohydrates: 40 grams
- Sugar: 5 grams
- Protein: 10 grams
Conclusion
Fan tuan is an ideal breakfast dish for hectic mornings because it is tasty, simple to prepare, and portable. Its flavor and energy content combine to create a gratifying beginning to the day. Today, give fan tuan a try and savor this traditional Taiwanese breakfast dish.
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Additional Notes
- Although it is particularly well-liked in Shanghai, Fan Tuan is also a regional delicacy in China.
- In Chinese, “Fan Tuan” translates to “rice ball.”
- Fan Tuan encompasses a wide array of variations; therefore, one may freely explore and determine their preferred combination of ingredients through experimentation.
- Fantuan contains carbohydrates, fiber and protein in appropriate proportions.
- Fantuan is an inexpensive and nutritious option for breakfast or a refreshment.
FAQs
What do you put in Fantuan?
A layer of cooked sticky rice becomes the satisfying wrapper for fan tuan, colorful rolls filled with fried eggs, scallions, pickled daikon, the fried dough sticks called youtiao, and pork floss.
What is the meaning of Fan Tuan?
Cifantuan, also known simply as chi faan or fantuan, is a glutinous rice dish in Chinese cuisine originating in the Jiangnan area of eastern China which encompasses Shanghai and surrounding regions.
What is the history of Fan Tuan?
Fan tuan is a glutinous rice roll that originated in Eastern China around Shanghai. Today, it has become a classic Shanghainese and Taiwanese breakfast item.
Ingredients
Instructions
Notes
