Nostalgic Sweetness: Nutritious Yakbap Made with a Pressure Cooker
Easy and Hearty Snack Recipe: Pressure Cooker Yakbap
I made this special gift for my daughter to take to a friend’s house. This recipe uses a pressure cooker, making it easy for anyone to create this nutritious and delicious Korean sweet rice dessert. Its chewy texture, combined with dates, chestnuts, and nuts, offers both great taste and health benefits.
Main Ingredients- 3 cups glutinous rice (approx. 450g)
- About 10 chestnuts
- About 8 dates
- A little sunflower seeds
- A little of your favorite nuts (walnuts, almonds, etc.)
Yakbap Seasoning- 100ml soy sauce (ganjang)
- 3 cups date decoction water
- 1 cup brown sugar (approx. 200g)
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 100ml soy sauce (ganjang)
- 3 cups date decoction water
- 1 cup brown sugar (approx. 200g)
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, rinse 3 cups of glutinous rice thoroughly and soak it in water for about 1 hour. Soaking the rice well will result in a perfectly chewy and delicious texture.
Step 2
Prepare the chestnuts and dates that will add flavor to your yakbap. Peel the chestnuts and cut them into quarters. If the chestnuts are large, you can cut them into six or eight pieces.
Step 3
Remove the stems from the dates. Carefully cut around the edges to remove the seeds. Select the dates with the prettiest shapes for garnish, as they will be visible on top.
Step 4
Place the pitted dates (the less pretty ones) in a pot with 3 cups (approx. 600ml) of water. Simmer over medium heat for about 20 minutes to create a date decoction water. This water adds moisture and a subtle sweetness to the yakbap.
Step 5
For the dates with nice shapes, roll them up to resemble flowers and set them aside. The slightly less attractive dates can be cooked together with the rice to enhance its flavor.
Step 6
Drain the soaked glutinous rice thoroughly using a sieve. Excess water can make the yakbap mushy, so ensure it’s well-drained.
Step 7
Now, let’s make the delicious seasoning sauce that will define the taste of your yakbap. In a large bowl, combine 100ml soy sauce, 1 cup brown sugar (approx. 200g), 3 cups of the prepared date decoction water, and 1 tablespoon of sesame oil. Stir well until the brown sugar is completely dissolved.
Step 8
In an electric pressure cooker, first add the drained glutinous rice. Then, evenly arrange the prepared chestnuts and the pitted dates (the less pretty ones) on top of the rice.
Step 9
Pour the prepared yakbap seasoning sauce evenly over the rice and other ingredients in the cooker. You can gently mix them to help the seasoning penetrate the rice.
Step 10
Select the ‘Steam’ or ‘Quick Cook’ function on your pressure cooker and steam for about 30 minutes. Cooking times may vary slightly depending on the cooker’s performance and model. After 30 minutes, check the rice for doneness. If needed, steam for an additional 5-10 minutes.
Step 11
While the yakbap is steaming, prepare the nuts to be mixed in. Chop your favorite nuts (like walnuts, almonds, or pine nuts), or use a pre-mixed snack pack, into bite-sized pieces.
Step 12
After 30 minutes, the yakbap is ready! Steam is rising from the pressure cooker, and the aroma of perfectly cooked, chewy rice is making my mouth water.
Step 13
Transfer the well-steamed yakbap to a large bowl. Add the prepared chopped nuts and gently mix them in. Mixing while the yakbap is still warm helps the nuts adhere better and distribute evenly.
Step 14
And there you have it – delicious, nutritious yakbap is complete! The rice is wonderfully chewy, and the combination of chestnuts, dates, and nuts offers a delightful savory flavor with every bite.
Step 15
For a more decorative presentation, you can press the yakbap into jelly molds to shape it. Then, garnish the top with the beautifully shaped date flowers and sunflower seeds you prepared earlier. This makes it an excellent gift.
Step 16
Alternatively, lay out a piece of plastic wrap, place a handful of yakbap on it, and roll it into a cylinder, twisting the ends tightly. This individual packaging makes it convenient to take out and eat one at a time, and also easy for transport. Store in the refrigerator and enjoy!
