Crispy and Sweet Tteokgangjeong (Korean Rice Cake Candy): Utilizing Leftover Rice Cakes and Fish Cakes
Delicious Tteokgangjeong Made with Leftover Rice Cakes and Fish Cakes from Your Pantry
Do you have leftover gara-tteok (Korean cylindrical rice cakes) or tteokguk-tteok (rice cakes for soup) in your freezer that you’re not sure what to do with? Today, we’ll transform those leftover rice cakes into tteokgangjeong – a delightful snack that’s crispy on the outside and chewy on the inside. We’ll also add fish cakes for extra texture and flavor, making it a perfect treat for kids or a wonderful accompaniment to a cold beer as a savory snack.
Main Ingredients
- 200g Gara-tteok (or Tteokguk-tteok)
- 200g Fish cakes (cut into similar sizes as the rice cakes)
- 1/2 cup Peanuts (approx. 20g)
- 1/2 cup Walnuts (approx. 20g)
- 1 Tbsp Black sesame seeds
Sweet Sauce
- 1 Tbsp Soy sauce
- 1 Tbsp Corn syrup (or Oligosaccharide)
- 2 Tbsp Cooking wine (Mirin)
- 1 Tbsp Soy sauce
- 1 Tbsp Corn syrup (or Oligosaccharide)
- 2 Tbsp Cooking wine (Mirin)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Let’s begin by preparing the ingredients for our delicious Tteokgangjeong.
Step 2
– To enhance the nutty flavor and remove any bitterness, we’ll lightly toast the nuts in a dry pan. Walnuts, in particular, become wonderfully fragrant. Peanuts are often sold pre-roasted, so you can skip this step for them if yours are already roasted.
Step 3
– Heat a generous amount of cooking oil in a pan over medium heat. Carefully add the rice cakes and pan-fry them until golden brown and slightly crispy. It’s important to pat the rice cakes dry with a paper towel before frying to prevent oil splattering. Fry them over low heat until small bubbles form on the surface and the exterior is lightly browned.
Step 4
– Cut the fish cakes into pieces similar in size to your rice cakes. Just like the rice cakes, lightly pan-fry the fish cakes in a bit of oil until they are slightly golden. This will give them a more pleasant, chewy texture.
Step 5
All our ingredients are now prepped and ready. Let’s move on to making the gangjeong!
Step 6
– Now, let’s make the flavorful sauce for our Tteokgangjeong. In a suitable pan, combine the soy sauce, corn syrup, and cooking wine. Bring to a simmer over medium-low heat.
Step 7
– Once the sauce is bubbling, add the fried rice cakes and fish cakes. Increase the heat to high and stir-fry quickly, coating everything evenly with the sauce. It’s crucial to toss them rapidly to ensure the sauce doesn’t burn.
Step 8
– As the sauce begins to thicken and glaze the ingredients, add the toasted peanuts and walnuts. Toss everything together until well combined. Finally, sprinkle in the black sesame seeds and mix. Turn off the heat for a glossy finish.
Step 9
Transfer the finished Tteokgangjeong to a serving dish. You’ve now created a delightful Tteokmatang (sweet rice cake dish) with a wonderfully chewy and sweet flavor! Enjoy your delicious creation!
