Rich and Nutritious Five-Grain Rice (Ogokbap)
Delicious Five-Grain Rice for the First Full Moon of the Lunar New Year
Five-grain rice, or Ogokbap, is a traditional dish essential for the first full moon of the lunar year, symbolizing wishes for a bountiful harvest and peace throughout the year. This recipe features a delightful blend of glutinous rice, red beans, black beans, foxtail millet, and mung beans. The satisfying chewiness of the grains and beans mixed with the tender rice makes each bite a delightful experience, offering both enjoyment and a feeling of fullness. Enjoy this healthy and flavorful Ogokbap with your loved ones on a special occasion.
Main Ingredients- 2 cups glutinous rice
- 1 cup regular short-grain rice
- 1/2 cup cooked red beans
- 1/4 cup soaked black beans
- 1/4 cup soaked mung beans
- 1/2 cup foxtail millet
- 7 fresh chestnuts, halved
Cooking Water & Seasoning- 1 cup water from cooking red beans (for cooking rice)
- 2 cups water
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup water from cooking red beans (for cooking rice)
- 2 cups water
- 1 teaspoon salt
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Prepare all the ingredients for your delicious five-grain rice. Wash and get ready the glutinous rice, regular rice, red beans, black beans, mung beans, foxtail millet, and chestnuts.
Step 2
In a bowl, combine the glutinous rice and regular rice. Rinse them thoroughly under running water until the water runs clear. Soak the rice in plenty of water for at least 2 hours. This soaking process will result in softer and more flavorful cooked rice.
Step 3
Rinse the black beans clean and soak them in water for at least 2 hours. Ensuring the beans are well-soaked will make them tender when cooked in the rice.
Step 4
Lightly rinse the mung beans and soak them in water. While they don’t need as long as the black beans, a brief soak will help them cook up tender.
Step 5
Rinse the foxtail millet gently under running water to remove any dust. Drain it well in a sieve, ensuring excess water is removed. Leftover moisture can affect the texture of the rice.
Step 6
Peel the fresh chestnuts, wash them, and cut them in half. Set aside. Chestnuts add a natural sweetness and a richer flavor to the rice.
Step 7
We will cook the red beans before adding them to the rice. Place the red beans in a pot with cold water and boil for 5 minutes. Discard this initial water to remove any impurities and foam.
Step 8
Return the rinsed red beans to the pot. Add 2 cups of fresh water and 1 teaspoon of salt. Adding a little salt at this stage helps to balance the subtle bitterness of the beans and enhances their flavor.
Step 9
Cover the pot and simmer over medium-low heat for about 10-15 minutes, or until the beans are tender but not mushy. Be careful not to overcook them. Drain the cooked beans. Set aside 1 cup of the red bean cooking water to use as part of the rice cooking liquid. This water will lend a subtle color and a pleasant nutty aroma to the rice.
Step 10
Prepare to cook the rice. In your rice cooker pot or a heavy-bottomed pot, combine the soaked glutinous rice, regular rice, black beans, cooked red beans, foxtail millet, and mung beans. Mix them gently. Pour in the 2 cups of fresh water and the reserved 1 cup of red bean water, along with the remaining 1 teaspoon of salt. Stir well to ensure the liquid is evenly distributed. Finally, arrange the prepared chestnut halves on top of the grains.
Step 11
Cook the rice over high heat. Once the liquid in the pot comes to a rolling boil, immediately reduce the heat to the lowest setting. Cover the pot and let it simmer gently for 10-12 minutes. Cooking on low heat prevents the rice from burning and ensures it cooks through evenly.
Step 12
Once the liquid has mostly evaporated and the rice is cooked, turn off the heat. Keep the lid on and let the rice steam for an additional 10 minutes. This resting period allows the moisture to distribute evenly, resulting in fluffy and beautifully textured rice.
Step 13
After steaming, gently fluff the rice with a spatula, being careful not to mash the grains. Serve the perfectly cooked five-grain rice in bowls. Enjoy this delicious and auspicious Ogokbap, symbolizing wishes for a prosperous year!
