Sweet Potato Onde-Onde

This is a local Malaysian delicacy. It is sticky on the outside with the sweet sensation of oozing gula melaka syrup inside. Gula Melaka (or Gula Jawa) is made from the sap of the coconut tree and boiled down into a golden brown paste. It is usually sold in tubes or in blocks, and tastes similar to brown sugar.

Ingredients:
2 large sweet potatoes (boiled/steamed, peeled and mashed)
2 cups glutinous rice flour
3 tbsp pandan juice
Warm water

Filling:
Chopped up gula melaka bits

Coating:
Freshly grated coconut (I use frozen grated coconut found in the Asian Grocery stores)

Mix the mashed sweet potatoes, pandan juice and rice flour well. Add some water and knead until a stiff dough consistency is formed. Add more rice flour if needed.
Form the dough into small balls. Make a well in the center and fill it with some gula melaka.
Roll it up again into a ball, making sure the gula melaka is sealed well inside.

Put the balls into boiling water. When the balls float to the surface, remove them with a slotted ladle and roll it in the grated coconut.

Serve