Cozy Sweet Pumpkin Porridge (Danhoppak Juk)
Warm and Sweet Homemade Sweet Pumpkin Porridge Recipe!
On chilly days when the wind bites, a bowl of warm, sweet sweet pumpkin porridge is sure to warm your soul. Made with sweet pumpkins that are as soft and delightful as chestnuts, this porridge is a beautiful golden color and comes with chewy rice balls (saealsim). It’s a visually appealing and delicious treat that’s perfect for the whole family. Enjoy this nutritious and comforting recipe!
Ingredients for Sweet Pumpkin Porridge- 700g Sweet Pumpkin (Danhoppak)
- 9 Tbsp Sweet Rice Flour (Chapssalgaru)
- 2 Tbsp Honey (for porridge)
- Pinch of Salt (to season porridge)
- 2 Tbsp Honey (for rice ball dough)
- Pinch of Sugar (for rice ball dough)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, wash the sweet pumpkin you’ll be using thoroughly.
Step 2
Place the sweet pumpkin in a microwave-safe dish and microwave for 3 minutes. Since microwaves tend to cook from the bottom up, it’s best to flip the pumpkin over halfway through to ensure the stem area cooks well. (If you’re in a rush, you might forget this step, but it does help!)
Step 3
Carefully remove the slightly cooked pumpkin from the microwave. Cut off the top part to create a lid. Then, use a spoon to scrape out all the seeds and stringy bits from the inside. Imagine you’re scraping out any worries or frustrations you have! Just be careful not to damage the pumpkin flesh itself. It’s quite satisfying to scoop everything out cleanly.
Step 4
This is how you’ll get a clean, hollowed-out pumpkin interior.
Step 5
Return the hollowed-out pumpkin (with the lid set aside) to the microwave and cook for another 5 minutes. Depending on the size and type of pumpkin, you might need to adjust the time. If it’s still not soft enough, microwave in 30-second intervals until tender. Allow the cooked pumpkin to cool slightly before proceeding, as it will be very hot.
Step 6
While the pumpkin is cooling, let’s make the chewy rice balls (saealsim). In a bowl, combine 6 tablespoons of sweet rice flour, a pinch of sugar, and a pinch of salt. Gradually add hot water and knead until you have a soft, pliable dough. Roll small portions of the dough into little balls – we’ll make 5 for now.
Step 7
Boil water in a pot and add the freshly made rice balls. Cook them until they float to the surface and become slightly translucent. Once cooked, transfer them to a bowl of cold water to prevent them from sticking together and to maintain their delightfully chewy texture.
Step 8
Now, gently scrape the flesh from the cooked sweet pumpkin using a spoon, transferring it to a separate bowl. This is the time to be gentle and savor the process, perhaps after all that vigorous scraping of seeds. (If you still have pent-up emotions, you can really get them out here! Just be mindful not to break the pumpkin apart too much, or your culinary creation might come to an unexpected end.)
Step 9
If there are any larger lumps of pumpkin remaining, mash them with the back of a spoon or a fork. (For an ultra-smooth consistency, you can use a food processor or blender. However, for a smaller amount, mashing by hand is perfectly fine and saves on washing up.)
Step 10
In another bowl, combine 3 tablespoons of sweet rice flour with about half a cup (approximately 200ml using a standard measuring cup) of water. Whisk until smooth to create a slurry.
Step 11
Pour 200ml of water into the mashed sweet pumpkin and bring it to a rolling boil over medium-high heat. Once boiling, gradually pour in the sweet rice flour slurry while stirring continuously to prevent lumps. Cook until the porridge thickens to your desired consistency. Stir in 2 tablespoons of honey for sweetness and a pinch of salt to balance the flavors.
Step 12
Ladle the warm, comforting sweet pumpkin porridge into the hollowed-out pumpkin shell for a beautiful presentation.
Step 13
Garnish the porridge with the cooked chewy rice balls and a few slices of jujube (dates) for color and texture. If your porridge seems a bit too thin and the rice balls are sinking, you can add an extra tablespoon of sweet rice flour to the porridge and simmer for a minute longer. This will help thicken it slightly, keeping the rice balls afloat.
Step 14
Place the sweet pumpkin lid back on top for a charming and unique presentation. It looks as if it was meant to be! (Aligning the stripes on the lid would have been extra special, but it looks fantastic as is!)
