Khao Taen is made during the Northern Thai New Year, ordination rites and annual temple ceremonies. Mixing watermelon juice to create extra flavor and sweetness is a recent innovation. (Buachan Nonthawasi, personal communication, July 10, 2007)
1. Mix sesame seeds with watermelon juice.
2. Soak rice overnight and steam. Then mix it into the watermelon mixture.
3. Keep in a plastic bag to retain the heat.
4. Press rice mixture in a round shaped mold
5. Remove from mold and let dry in the sun for 2 days.
6. Deep fry in hot oil until puffy. Drain and let cool.
7. Dribble some thick brown sugar syrup on top.
Make a thick syrup from brown sugar and let cool to room temperature before dribbling it on the crispy rice cake. This will make the rice cake stay crispy longer
Deep fry the cakes in hot oil and flip them 2-3 to make them puffy and crispy.
