The Snow Ball Game!

It all started one day. Y'know one of those days were there is nothing on TV and you're just flipping through the channels then something catches your eye briefly. It was this Chinese chef in China in the middle of this green tea plantation. He was making this little dumplings he said his grandma use to make. I became interested after he said how simple they were.

They are essentially just rice flour and water. He used a little bit of brown sugar for his filling. Those brief moments planted the seed of an idea of a game and a way to put my own personal spin on it. We tried out the recipe twice before we came up with something that we believe people will enjoy.

The game is also pretty simple and fun.

The recipe is actually very easy and is a good way to get little kids and family involved in the kitchen.
Is not super sweet, it has a nice interesting texture and its gluten free. You can also find none nut pastes if you have nut allergies. 

Almond Paste Filled Rice Dumpling (AKA Snow Balls)

Ingredients:

- 1 cup rice flour (you can find it at your local grocery store under the Goya aisle) 

- 2 tsp of powder sugar

- 1/4 cup of water (For dough)

- 8 cups of water for boiling

- 5 whole cloves

- 2 cinnamon sticks

- 2 star anise

- 1 Tbsp granulated sugar

- 1 Green tea bag

- 1 Black tea bag 

- Almond paste

(The spices and teas can be changed to your personal liking.)

Procedure:

1. Brings 8 cups of water to boil with the spices, tea bags, and the granulated sugar.

2. Add the powder sugar to the rice flour and combine.

3. Slowly add in the water 1 Tbsp at a time. (Depending on the weather you might have to add more or less)

4. Gradually form a dough ball. Dough should be a little sticky but it should stay together. You might have to wet you hands and finger tips form time to time to avoid sticking.

5. Measure 6g of dough and lightly spread it out in the palm of your hand.

6. Place 3g of almond paste in the center of the dough and seal the dough around it and roll into a ball. Repeat as many time as necessary to use all the dough. 

7. Place dumplings into the boiling tea mixture and boil for about 4-5 min or until slightly translucent. 

They can be served warm or cool (it best served cool if you plan to add sprinkles), place in a bowl and dust with granulated sprinkles. It adds a nice hint color and texture. 

The Snow Ball Game

The winning "snow ball" next to the plain "snow ball"

Tea and spices

The dough

about the size you would want to spread the dough out

Almond paste in the center

All rolled up in to a cute little "snow ball"

The lucky "snow ball"

Snow balls before being boiled

The snow balls cooked and ready to be enjoyed.

The tea an spice mix after every thing has steeped. It makes your kitchen smell soo good!

This game is great for parties and holidays. All you have to do is dye some of the almond paste a different color, and whoever finds it first wins a prize. Some examples are, who ever finds the color snow ball gets to open up a Christmas present first or the first to light up a fire work or you can turn it into a more adult game. The possibilities are endless.

We really hope you like these nummy little dumplings and enjoy playing this simple fun game!