English: Rice Cake / Deutsch: Reiskuchen / Español: Torta de arroz / Português: Bolo de arroz / Français: Gâteau de riz / Italiano: Torta di riso /

In the food context, "Buchi" is a popular Filipino dessert made from glutinous rice flour filled with a sweetened mung bean paste, and then coated in sesame seeds and deep-fried until golden brown. It is a variation of the Chinese "jian dui" and is known for its chewy texture, sweet filling, and crispy sesame-coated exterior. Buchi is often served in Chinese-Filipino restaurants and is a common snack or dessert in the Philippines.

Preparation and Ingredients:

The basic ingredients for Buchi include:

• Glutinous Rice Flour: Forms the dough and gives Buchi its characteristic chewy texture.
• Mung Bean Paste: A sweet filling made from cooked, mashed mung beans mixed with sugar. Some variations may use sweetened red bean paste, ube (purple yam) jam, or even custard as a filling.
• Sesame Seeds: The dough balls are rolled in sesame seeds before frying, which adds a nutty flavor and a crunchy texture.
• Cooking Oil: For deep-frying the Buchi until they are golden brown and crispy.

Cooking Process:

1. Making the Filling: Mung beans are cooked, mashed, and mixed with sugar to form a sweet paste.
2. Preparing the Dough: Glutinous rice flour is mixed with water to form a dough.
3. Assembling the Buchi: Small portions of dough are flattened, filled with the sweet bean paste, and then shaped into balls. These balls are then rolled in sesame seeds.
4. Deep-Frying: The coated balls are deep-fried in hot oil until they expand slightly and turn golden brown, ensuring a crispy exterior and a soft, chewy interior.

Serving:

Buchi is typically served warm or at room temperature as a dessert or snack. It's not uncommon to find Buchi as part of the dessert offerings at Filipino gatherings and celebrations.

Nutritional Information:

While Buchi offers some nutritional benefits from the mung beans, such as protein and fiber, it is also relatively high in calories due to the sugar content and deep-frying process. Enjoying Buchi in moderation is advisable as part of a balanced diet.

Summary:

Buchi is a beloved Filipino dessert that showcases the influence of Chinese cuisine on Filipino culinary traditions. Its combination of sweet filling, chewy texture, and crispy sesame seed coating makes it a delightful treat enjoyed by people of all ages. Whether as a dessert or snack, Buchi is a testament to the simple yet satisfying flavors that characterize Filipino sweets.

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