Palitaw

You might be asking what is Palitaw?  It is a sweet  rice cake in the Philippines.  It is made from ground sticky rice that is often rolled in a circular shape.  It is cooked by dropping the sticky rice in boiling water.  Once the sticky rice floats to the surface, it is done!  After the sticky rice is cooked, it is rolled in grated coconut, sugar, and toasted sesame seeds.  I like to make them in various shapes. 

My oldest loves to eat Palitaw and make them.   I do have to warn you, rice flour is quite sticky so keep an eye on what your little one touches!  The recipe below came from Pinch of Yum.  I made a slight change and added toasted sesame seeds in the recipe.

   

Ingredients

• 4½ cups glutinous rice flour
• 2 cups water
• sugar for dusting
• shredded coconut for dusting (unsweetened)
• toasted sesame seeds  (optional)

Instructions

• Mix the glutinous rice flour with the water until a thick, sticky mixture forms. Roll flat on to  a surface so you can cut into shapes or you can roll it into small balls.
• Bring a large pot of water to boil. Add the glutinous rice shapes/balls and boil until solid and floating to the top, about 10 minutes. Drain the water and let the palitaw cool slightly.
• If you do decide to put toasted sesame seeds, you can toast them by putting some sesame seeds in a pan until they are golden brown.  Once they are golden brown, put them in a bowl and let them cool. 
• When the rice cake is cool enough to handle, roll the shape/ball in a bowl of sugar, coconut, and toasted sesame seeds. 

 Things your little one can do

• Roll the mix of glutinous rice flour into small balls or cut into various shapes.  I gave each of my kids their own bowls and heart shape cookie cutters.
• Have them roll the cooked and cooled rice shapes/balls in the sugar, coconut, and sesame seeds mix.  I placed all 3 ingredients in one bowl.  Each of my little one had their own bowl.
• Don't be surprise if they try to sneak one in their mouth right after they finish rolling one rice cake in the sugar, coconut, and toasted sesame seeds mixture.