Alkaline Dumplings (Jian Shui Zong Zi)

Ingredients

• • 2 cups (1 lb / 450 g) short grain sticky rice ((glutinous rice))
• • 1 tablespoon alkaline water ((or homemade kansui))
• • 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• • 20 to 30 bamboo leaves (dried or fresh, dried requires soaking (*Footnote 1))
• • 1 cup red bean paste (homemade or store-bought (Optional) (*Footnote 2))
• • 1 teaspoons alkaline water ((or homemade kansui))
• • Kitchen twine
• • Maple syrup ((or white sugar))

Preparation Steps