Savory Brown Rice Rice Cake Soup: A Healthy and Hearty Start to the New Year
On the First Day of the New Year 2024, Enjoy a Healthy and Delicious Brown Rice Rice Cake Soup! The Perfect Tteokguk with Chewy and Soft Texture, Made with Precious Brown Rice Rice Cakes from My Sister
On the first day of the New Year, a warm bowl of tteokguk (rice cake soup) is a cherished time for family gatherings. This year, I made a special tteokguk using precious brown rice rice cake slices that my sister lovingly gifted. The chewy yet soft texture of the brown rice cakes combined with the rich, savory broth will make your New Year’s morning even more abundant and healthy. Wishing you a happy and healthy new year with this hearty brown rice tteokguk, as comforting as freshly cooked rice!
Tteokguk Ingredients- 600g Brown Rice Rice Cake Slices: These brown rice rice cake slices offer a delightfully chewy yet soft texture.
- 100g Minced Beef: Tender minced beef to add a deep flavor to the broth.
- 1 Green Onion: Fresh green onion to add a refreshing taste and aroma.
- 1 Egg: We’ll make a savory and soft omelet to use as a garnish.
- 1 Mixed Broth Pack: Contains ingredients like anchovies and kelp, perfect for creating a clear and deep broth.
- 1.5L Water: Plenty of water to boil the tteokguk broth.
- 1 tsp Tuna Extract: A secret ingredient to add umami and a clean finish to the soup.
- 1/2 tsp Minced Garlic: The pungent garlic flavor enhances the broth’s richness.
- Salt to taste: Salt to adjust the seasoning according to your preference.
- Pinch of Black Pepper: A touch of black pepper adds a refreshing aroma to the broth.
Beef Garnish Seasoning- 100g Minced Beef: For the tender beef garnish to be placed on top of the tteokguk.
- 1/2 tsp Soy Sauce: Adds a subtle sweetness and umami to the beef.
- 1/4 tsp Sugar: A little sugar enhances the beef’s flavor.
- 1/2 tsp Minced Garlic: Garlic flavor penetrates the beef, removing any gamey odor.
- 1 Cube Ginger: The subtle ginger aroma further enhances the beef’s flavor. (Optional, can be omitted)
- 1/2 Tbsp Soju: Helps to remove any gamey smell from the beef and tenderize it.
- 1/2 Tbsp Sesame Oil: The nutty sesame oil aroma adds flavor to the beef garnish.
- 1 Pinch Black Pepper: Just a pinch to bring out the beef’s flavor.
- 100g Minced Beef: For the tender beef garnish to be placed on top of the tteokguk.
- 1/2 tsp Soy Sauce: Adds a subtle sweetness and umami to the beef.
- 1/4 tsp Sugar: A little sugar enhances the beef’s flavor.
- 1/2 tsp Minced Garlic: Garlic flavor penetrates the beef, removing any gamey odor.
- 1 Cube Ginger: The subtle ginger aroma further enhances the beef’s flavor. (Optional, can be omitted)
- 1/2 Tbsp Soju: Helps to remove any gamey smell from the beef and tenderize it.
- 1/2 Tbsp Sesame Oil: The nutty sesame oil aroma adds flavor to the beef garnish.
- 1 Pinch Black Pepper: Just a pinch to bring out the beef’s flavor.
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Here are all the ingredients for today’s brown rice rice cake soup. I’ll be making it with fresh ingredients.
Step 2
First, wash the green onion thoroughly and slice it diagonally into about 1cm thick pieces. It’s helpful to separate the parts you’ll use for garnish from those for the broth.
Step 3
The brown rice rice cake slices might be stuck together. Gently rinse them in cold water to separate them. Be careful not to wash them for too long, as they might become too soft and fall apart.
Step 4
Drain the lightly washed brown rice rice cake slices in a colander. This helps prevent the broth from becoming cloudy when you cook the tteokguk.
Step 5
In a large pot, pour in 1.5L of water and add the prepared mixed broth pack. Bring it to a boil over high heat.
Step 6
For the beef garnish, combine 100g of minced beef with 1/2 tsp soy sauce, 1/4 tsp sugar, 1/2 tsp minced garlic, 1 ginger cube, 1/2 Tbsp soju, 1/2 Tbsp sesame oil, and a pinch of black pepper. Mix well with your hands until the seasoning is evenly distributed and the beef is tender. Marinating it like this will make the beef even more tender.
Step 7
Let the seasoned beef marinate for a while. It’s best to let the seasonings soak in fully.
Step 8
Heat a pan and add the marinated minced beef. Use chopsticks or a spatula to break up any clumps and stir-fry until it’s crumbly. Cook over medium-low heat to prevent burning.
Step 9
Whisk the egg and make a thin omelet, then slice it into thin strips. These will be beautiful garnishes for the tteokguk. Set aside with the stir-fried beef.
Step 10
Once the broth is boiling, let it simmer for about 10 more minutes to develop a deep flavor, then remove and discard the broth pack. Now, add the 600g of brown rice rice cake slices and cook until the rice cakes are soft and tender. Stir occasionally to prevent them from sticking to the bottom of the pot.
Step 11
When the rice cakes are cooked to your liking, it’s time to season the broth. Add 1 tsp tuna extract, 1/2 tsp minced garlic, and salt to taste. This will create a clean and savory broth. If it’s not salty enough, add a little more salt.
Step 12
Carefully ladle the finished brown rice tteokguk into serving bowls. Artfully arrange the stir-fried beef garnish, egg omelet strips, and chopped green onions on top. A dish full of care and flavor is ready.
Step 13
Brown rice tteokguk offers a unique charm with its soft and chewy texture, less firm than regular rice cake soup. The inherent nuttiness of the rice cakes combined with the deep, clean broth creates a richer flavor experience. Start your New Year’s Day with a hearty and healthy bowl of brown rice tteokguk for a delightful meal!
