Yaksik: Sweet and Nutty Korean Rice Cake

Ingredients

• 2 cups (400g) glutinous rice 2 cups (400g) glutinous rice
• 1 cup (200g) brown sugar 1 cup (200g) brown sugar
• 1/2 cup (120ml) honey 1/2 cup (120ml) honey
• 1/2 cup (75g) dried jujubes, chopped 1/2 cup (75g) dried jujubes, chopped
• 1/2 cup (75g) raisins 1/2 cup (75g) raisins
• 1/4 cup (40g) dried cranberries 1/4 cup (40g) dried cranberries
• 1/4 cup (40g) dried apricots, chopped 1/4 cup (40g) dried apricots, chopped
• 1/4 cup (30g) almonds, chopped 1/4 cup (30g) almonds, chopped
• 2 tablespoons sesame oil 2 tablespoons sesame oil
• 1 tablespoon sesame seeds, for garnish 1 tablespoon sesame seeds, for garnish

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 320 kcal / 1340 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 4g, 0.5g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 70g, 35g
• Protein: 4g
• Fiber: 2g
• Salt: 0.01g

Preparation

1. 1.
   Rinse the glutinous rice under cold water until the water runs clear. Soak the rice in water for 2 hours, then drain.
2. 2.
   Steam the soaked rice in a steamer for 30 minutes, or until the rice is cooked and tender.
3. 3.
   In a saucepan, combine the brown sugar, honey, and sesame oil. Heat over low heat until the sugar has dissolved and the mixture is well combined.
4. 4.
   In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked rice, dried jujubes, raisins, dried cranberries, dried apricots, and almonds.
5. 5.
   Pour the sweet syrup over the rice mixture and mix well until all the ingredients are evenly coated.
6. 6.
   Transfer the mixture to a greased baking dish and press it down firmly.
7. 7.
   Sprinkle sesame seeds on top for garnish.
8. 8.
   Allow the yaksik to cool completely and set for at least 2 hours before cutting it into bite-sized pieces.
9. 9.
   Serve and enjoy!

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Glutinous rice — Make sure to rinse the rice thoroughly to remove excess starch before soaking and steaming.
• Dried jujubes — If you can't find dried jujubes, you can substitute them with dried dates or prunes.
• Almonds — Toasting the almonds before chopping them will enhance their flavor.

Tips & Tricks

• For a more intense flavor, you can add a pinch of cinnamon or cardamom to the sweet syrup.
• If you prefer a softer texture, you can steam the rice for a longer period of time.
• Yaksik can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.

Serving advice

Yaksik is best enjoyed as a sweet snack or dessert. Serve it at room temperature or slightly chilled for the perfect balance of flavors and textures.

Presentation advice

To enhance the presentation of your Yaksik, you can shape it into small balls or squares using a cookie cutter. Arrange them on a platter and sprinkle some extra sesame seeds on top for an added visual appeal.