Mussel Rice: A Hearty Autumn Delight with Chewy Mussels and Sweet Radish
Boost Your Immunity with Autumn’s Star Dish: Mussel Rice
This fragrant Mussel Rice, enriched with nutritious mussels and sweet radish, is a perfect autumn delicacy that bolsters immunity. It’s a complete one-bowl meal, so satisfying that you won’t need any side dishes. Served with a spicy soy sauce dip seasoned with chili peppers, it’s an absolute crowd-pleaser. Enjoy this comforting and healthy rice dish!
For the Mussel Rice- Dried Mussels: 100g
- Radish: 50g (cut into bite-sized pieces)
- Rice: 2 servings (approx. 300g)
- Salt: a pinch (for rinsing mussels)
- Sesame Oil: 2 Tbsp
- Kelp: 1 piece (approx. 5x5cm)
- Shredded Red Chili: a pinch (for garnish)
For the Seasoning Sauce- Soup Soy Sauce (Guk-ganjang): 3 Tbsp
- Water: 2 Tbsp
- Minced Garlic: 0.5 Tbsp
- Minced Cheongyang Chili Pepper: 1
- Gochugaru (Korean Chili Flakes): 0.5 Tbsp
- Plum Extract (Maesilcheong): 1 Tbsp
- Sesame Oil: a drizzle
- Sesame Seeds: a sprinkle
- Soup Soy Sauce (Guk-ganjang): 3 Tbsp
- Water: 2 Tbsp
- Minced Garlic: 0.5 Tbsp
- Minced Cheongyang Chili Pepper: 1
- Gochugaru (Korean Chili Flakes): 0.5 Tbsp
- Plum Extract (Maesilcheong): 1 Tbsp
- Sesame Oil: a drizzle
- Sesame Seeds: a sprinkle
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Prepare all your ingredients before you begin. Rinse the rice and let it soak in water for about 30 minutes for a fluffier texture.
Step 2
Gently rinse the dried mussels under cold running water. Then, soak them in clean water for about 5 minutes to rehydrate. After soaking, lightly rinse them in saltwater to remove any grit.
Step 3
Julienne the radish into strips about 0.5cm thick. Avoid cutting them too thin, as they might break down too much during cooking. This will add a lovely sweetness and freshness.
Step 4
Heat 2 tablespoons of sesame oil in a pot over medium-low heat. Add the julienned radish and sauté until it turns slightly translucent. Then, add the rehydrated mussels and sauté for another 1-2 minutes. Sautéing will enhance the mussels’ savory flavor.
Step 5
Add the rinsed and drained rice to the pot with the sautéed radish and mussels. Stir-fry for about 2-3 minutes until the rice grains become translucent. Stir-frying the rice coats each grain, making it fluffy and delicious.
Step 6
Since the radish will release moisture, use slightly less water than you normally would for cooking rice. For 2 servings of rice, add just enough water to cover the rice grains.
Step 7
Place the piece of kelp on top of the rice mixture. Pour in the adjusted amount of water, cover the pot with a lid, and bring it to a boil over high heat. The kelp will add a deep umami flavor to the rice.
Step 8
Once the water boils, lift the lid and give the rice a gentle stir to even it out. Then, reduce the heat to medium-low and let it simmer for about 10 minutes. This prevents the rice from burning and ensures it cooks evenly.
Step 9
Turn off the heat and let the rice steam, covered, for 5 minutes. This steaming process allows the moisture to distribute evenly, resulting in tender, perfectly cooked rice. Your delicious Mussel Rice is ready!
Step 10
Carefully fluff the cooked Mussel Rice with a spatula, being careful not to mash the grains. This ensures the flavors of the mussels and radish are well distributed throughout the rice.
Step 11
Now, let’s prepare the seasoning sauce. In a small bowl, combine 3 tablespoons of soup soy sauce, 2 tablespoons of water, 0.5 tablespoon of minced garlic, 1 minced Cheongyang chili pepper, 0.5 tablespoon of gochugaru, and 1 tablespoon of plum extract. Mix well. Finish with a drizzle of sesame oil and a sprinkle of sesame seeds for added aroma and flavor.
Step 12
Serve the warm Mussel Rice with a generous drizzle of the homemade seasoning sauce. Mix everything together and enjoy! The savory mussels, sweet radish, and the spicy kick from the chili sauce create an incredibly delicious experience. You’ll find yourself finishing this bowl in no time!
