Teresa's Recipes
Songpyeon
Songpyeon is a beloved traditional Korean dessert that graces tables during Chuseok, the Korean Thanksgiving Day. These delightful half-moon shaped rice cakes are not just a treat for the palate but also a symbol of prosperity and good fortune. Each songpyeon is crafted from glutinous rice flour, filled with a sweet mixture of ground sesame seeds and sugar, and steamed to perfection over fragrant pine needles, infusing them with a unique aroma. Enjoy these chewy, soft morsels warm or at room temperature, as you celebrate the harvest season with family and friends.
Ingredients
- 2 cups Glutinous rice flour
- 3/4 cup (adjust as needed) Water
- 1/4 teaspoon Salt
- 1/4 cup (for filling) Sugar
- 1/2 cup Ground sesame seeds
- 1 tablespoon (for tossing) Sesame oil
- a handful (for steaming) Pine needles
Dietary Notes
- Servings: 12
- Dish Type: Dessert
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Calories: 120
- Fat: 2g
- Carbs: 25g
- Protein: 3g
- Sodium: 50mg
- Sugar: 5g
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine the glutinous rice flour, salt, and water. Mix until a smooth dough forms, adjusting water as necessary for consistency.
- Divide the dough into small pieces, approximately the size of a golf ball, and shape each piece into a ball.
- Flatten each ball into a disc and fill it with a mixture of ground sesame seeds and sugar. Fold the dough over the filling to create a half-moon shape and pinch the edges to seal.
- Prepare a steamer by lining it with a layer of fresh pine needles to impart a fragrant aroma to the songpyeon.
- Arrange the shaped songpyeon in the steamer, ensuring they do not touch each other to prevent sticking.
- Steam the songpyeon over high heat for about 30 minutes, or until they become translucent and firm.
- Once steamed, remove the songpyeon from the steamer and immediately toss them in sesame oil to prevent sticking.
- Serve the songpyeon warm or let them cool to room temperature before enjoying.
Tips
- For added flavor, consider using sweet red bean paste or chestnut paste as fillings instead of sesame seeds.
- You can also create colorful songpyeon by adding natural food colorings, such as green tea powder for green or beet juice for pink.