Black Sesame Soup

Yesterday my daughter showed me a box of pre-mixed black sesame soup that she bought in a Chinese grocery store. I find it rather amusing as I used to serve this sweet soup as a snack when they were young. This sweet dessert is made with black sesame seeds that is rumored to help prevent gray hair. It is a popular Chinese dessert in Hong Kong and many parts of Asia. It can be served warm or cold.
Ingredients:
1 cup toasted black sesame seeds
1 cup long or short grain rice, rinsed and soaked for at least 2 hrs.
6-8 cups of water
3/4 cup brown sugar
2 Tbsp. butter
2 pieces screwpine/pandan leaves

Method:
1. In a non-stick frying pan, fry the sesame seeds on medium low heat for about 10 minutes, until fragrant and pan begins to smoke. Remove and cool completely.
2. Drain the rice and blend with enough water until mixture is smooth. Remove and clean blender. Repeat this process with the black sesame seeds until mixture is a grayish paste and free from lumps.
3. In a large pot, add the grinded ingredients, pandan leaves and sugar. Stir to mix and bring to a boil on high heat. Lower heat to medium, stirring the mixture until it thickens slightly.
4. Add in sugar and butter to mixture and more water if mixture get to thick. Simmer for another 15 minutes until mixture is smooth, season to taste with sugar if needed. Remove pandan leaves before serving.
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