Delicious Songpyeon Recipe: Made with Autumnal Blessings
Songpyeon for Chuseok Ancestral Rites: More Special Than Dumplings!
Did you have a wonderful Chuseok holiday? Although not all siblings could gather, we prepared the ancestral rites food with utmost care alongside my youngest uncle’s family who live nearby. Making these songpyeon ourselves became an unforgettable memory.
For the Songpyeon Dough- 2 cups short-grain rice flour (non-glutinous)
- 1 cup sweet rice flour (glutinous rice flour)
- Pinch of salt
- Hot water (for kneading)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, let’s make the songpyeon dough. In a large bowl, combine 2 cups of short-grain rice flour and 1 cup of sweet rice flour. Add a pinch of salt and mix well. Gradually pour in hot boiling water while mixing to form a kneaded dough. Since the water is hot, use a spatula initially, and once it’s cool enough to handle, knead the dough with your hands until it becomes smooth and moist. (Kneading with hot water makes the songpyeon chewy and delicious!)
Step 2
Divide the dough into manageable portions and flatten each piece with your palm. Create a slight indentation in the center. Generously fill this hollow with your prepared songpyeon filling. Carefully gather the edges of the dough to enclose the filling completely, pinching it shut to seal. Press down firmly to remove any air pockets and ensure a firm shape.
Step 3
Now it’s time to shape the songpyeon into beautiful forms. You can create half-moon shapes, pebble shapes, or any other design you like. For a traditional look, roll the dough into a ball and then gently press the center to form a crescent shape. Making these with children can be a delightful activity.
Step 4
Prepare your steamer. Line the steamer rack with clean pine needles. Arrange the shaped songpyeon on top of the pine needles, ensuring there’s some space between each piece so they don’t stick together. If you wish to steam dumplings alongside, layer them by placing songpyeon, then pine needles, then dumplings, and finally more pine needles.
Step 5
To prevent condensation from dripping onto the songpyeon and making them soggy, wrap the inside of the steamer lid with a clean kitchen towel or cheesecloth. This creates a barrier that catches the steam, allowing for a cleaner steaming process.
Step 6
Place the steamer over boiling water and steam for about 10-15 minutes. The songpyeon are ready when their surface becomes translucent and they feel soft to the touch. Carefully remove the steamed songpyeon from the steamer and let them cool slightly. Finally, while they are still warm, brush a little sesame oil over them for a beautiful sheen. Your delicious Chuseok songpyeon are now complete!
