Heartwarming & Nourishing Dongji Red Bean Porridge Recipe
Easy and Delicious Dongji Red Bean Porridge, Inspired by Alto-ran
Dongji (Winter Solstice) is just around the corner! I’m reminded of my father-in-law, who loved to honor the seasonal change with traditional foods. He especially enjoyed a warm bowl of red bean porridge (patjuk) during Dongji. To cherish those memories, I’ve prepared an authentic Dongji red bean porridge recipe. The deep, natural flavor of the red beans combined with the soft rice grains creates a truly satisfying and comforting dish. Let’s make a bowl of delicious red bean porridge together, a perfect gift of health and warmth for your family! Here’s a recipe to share.
Red Bean Porridge Ingredients- 600g red beans
- 2.5 liters cold water
- 1 cup soaked non-glutinous rice (about 150g)
- 1 Tbsp ground cinnamon (about 5g)
- 1/2 cup brown sugar (about 100g)
- Pinch of salt
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, rinse the non-glutinous rice thoroughly and soak it in plenty of water for at least 30 minutes. Soaking the rice beforehand helps it break down and soften, enhancing the texture of the porridge.
Step 2
Place the washed red beans (600g) in a pot and cover with ample cold water. Bring to a boil over high heat, then boil for another 5 minutes. Discard this first batch of water. This step helps remove any bitterness from the red beans, resulting in a cleaner-tasting porridge.
Step 3
Add 2.5 liters of fresh cold water to the pot with the blanched red beans. Bring it to a boil again, then reduce the heat to medium and simmer for 50 minutes to 1 hour, or until the red beans are completely soft and mushy. Once the beans are cooked, reserve about 1 cup (approx. 200ml) of the cooking liquid. Mash the remaining cooked beans roughly using a ladle or a blender. Aim for a slightly coarse texture rather than a completely smooth paste for a pleasant bite. The reserved cooking liquid can be used later to adjust the porridge’s consistency.
Step 4
Add the pre-soaked non-glutinous rice to the roughly mashed red beans and cook together for 15 minutes. Stir continuously as it cooks, allowing the rice grains to blend and break down into the porridge. It’s important to keep stirring to prevent the rice from clumping.
Step 5
Now, stir in 1 tablespoon of ground cinnamon for added aroma and flavor. Continue to cook for another 15 minutes. The fragrant scent of cinnamon will deepen the complexity of the red bean porridge. Remember to stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
Step 6
Finally, add 1/2 cup of brown sugar and mix well. Before serving, season with a pinch of salt to balance the sweetness. Adjust the sugar and salt to your personal preference. For a decorative finish, you can lightly top the porridge with some reserved mashed red beans or whole cooked beans just before serving.
Step 7
Enjoy a warm bowl of freshly made red bean porridge with a side of refreshing dongchimi (radish kimchi). The combination of sweet porridge and tangy kimchi is truly delightful. This Dongji, share this comforting bowl of red bean porridge to wish your loved ones health and happiness!
