Kat Lieu created the recipe for Black Sesame-Brown Butter Rice Krispie Treats, excerpted from her book "108 Asian Cookies," with her mother in mind. This was reported by Qazaqyia.kz citing Associated Press.
Lieu says she ate Rice Krispie Treats growing up because her mom made them often. Her mom always followed the recipe on the box, never adding an Asian spin. However, her mom loves black sesame desserts, especially sweet black sesame soup. Lieu recalls her mom saying black sesame would keep their Chinese hair black and long.
Ingredients: 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, 1/3 cup miso paste (white or red), 1 tablespoon black sesame paste, 1 tablespoon black sesame seeds, 1 package (10 ounces) mini marshmallows, 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract, 1/4 teaspoon salt, 6 cups Rice Krispies cereal, 1/3 cup freeze-dried strawberry slices or haw flakes (optional).
Instructions: Crumple, then uncrumple a large sheet of parchment paper and use it to line a 9-inch-square cake pan with some overhang. Smooth and press down the parchment paper with your hands. Alternatively, generously grease the baking dish with butter or toasted sesame oil. To make the brown butter, melt the butter in a heavy saucepan or pot over medium heat while whisking continuously until the butter foams, the foam subsides, the butter is golden, and brown (not black) bits form on the bottom, at least 5 minutes. You're looking for a nutty aroma and not a burnt smell. Reduce the heat to low and add the marshmallows. Stir until the marshmallows have melted into one thick fluff. Add vanilla and salt, stir. Add Rice Krispies cereal and mix well. Transfer the mixture to the prepared pan and press evenly. If desired, sprinkle black sesame seeds on top. Let cool completely, then cut into squares.