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Alkaline Dumplings ZongZi, Kee Chang

Alkaline dumplings or zongzi, is a sweet dumpling, wrapped in bamboo leaves and it is made in conjunction with the dragon boat festival, or Zongzi festival. Also known as Kee Chang, We usually make 2 kinds of dumplings, the savoury ones like the bak chang, filled with meat and this, the sweet type which is served with palm sugar syrup. Some people serve it with kaya or coconut curd.
Prep Time1 hour
Cook Time3 hours
Soak over night10 hours
Total Time14 hours
Course: celebration, Snack
Cuisine: Asian, Chinese, Malaysian, Nyonya
Keyword: alkaline dumplings, bambo leaves, borax, Dragon Boat Festival, glutinous rice, kee chang, lye water, Nyonya, palm sugar, zongzi
Servings: 25 pieces or so
Cost: £5.50

Equipment

  • 1 Pot for boiling
  • 1 collander

Ingredients

  • 500 g Glutinous rice- picked rinsed and drained
  • 1 ½ tbsp. Alkaline water
  • ¼ tsp Borax Pheng sey
  • 50 to 60 Bamboo leaves soaked overnight and wipe cleaned
  • 1 ball Vine Or string for tying
  • 3 litres Water
  • 3 tsp Akaline water
  • 2 tsp Borax

Syrup

  • 300 g Palm sugar
  • 250 ml Water
  • 1 Pandan leave

Instructions

Soak the bamboo leaves

  • Soak the leaves in warm/hot water overnight.
    Rinse and wipe the leaves and drain.

Prepare the Strings

  • Cut the strings to to about 180cm and fold into 2.
  • Bunch 5 strings together at the centre and twist to make a loop. Secure it with a knot.
  • Make about 3 bunches

Prepare the rice

  • Soak the rice in water to about 3 cm above the rice. Add in the alkaline water and borax. Mix well and let it soak for about 4 hours or overnight.
  • Drain and give the rice 1 rinse. Leave to drain.

To pack the dumplings:

  • Use 2 bamboo leaves to form a cone, then add in 2 tablespoon or so of the rice. Make sure that the rice is half to 2/3 full. Wrap the leaves to form a pyramid and tie with the string/vine. Repeat until all the rice is wrapped up. If you can hear the rice when you shake the cone, you have done it correctly.

To cook the dumplings:

  • In a big pot put in the water, alkaline and borax. Put the dumplings in making sure that the water covers the dumplings. Bring to the boil and simmer for about 3 hours. Turn the dumplings twice to ensure even cooking.
  • Lift the dumpling out when it is done and let it drain.
  • Serve warm or cold with the syrup.

To Make the syrup:

  • Put in the palm sugar and water in a pot and bring to a boil. Simmer until the syrup becomes thick and coat the back of a spoon.
  • Strain into a clean container or jar and leave to cool. Can keep in the fridge for weeks.

Video