Nutrient-Rich Sticky Rice Cake (Yakbap) Made with Leftover Rice
Creative Use for Leftover Rice: Making Chewy and Sweet Yakbap
Have a lot of leftover rice in the fridge? Don’t let it go to waste! Make delicious Yakbap (Korean sweet rice cake) with it. This recipe offers a wonderfully chewy texture and a delightful sweet flavor, perfect for special occasions or as a satisfying snack. The combination of nuts and dried fruits also makes it incredibly nutritious.
Main Ingredients- 4 bowls of leftover cooked rice (warmed)
- 1 cup almonds (roughly chopped or halved)
- 1 cup walnuts (roughly chopped or halved)
- 1/2 cup raisins
- 10 dried jujubes (seeds removed and thinly sliced)
Yakbap Seasoning- 5-6 Tbsp soy sauce (regular or brewed)
- 5 Tbsp brown sugar (adjust sweetness to taste)
- 2 Tbsp honey or corn syrup
- 2 Tbsp sesame oil
- 1 pinch of salt (to balance sweetness and enhance flavor)
- 5-6 Tbsp soy sauce (regular or brewed)
- 5 Tbsp brown sugar (adjust sweetness to taste)
- 2 Tbsp honey or corn syrup
- 2 Tbsp sesame oil
- 1 pinch of salt (to balance sweetness and enhance flavor)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, prepare the dried jujubes to add flavor to your Yakbap. If using semi-dried jujubes, removing the seeds is easier. Once the seeds are out, roll them up thinly and slice them into bite-sized pieces, about 1 cm thick.
Step 2
Now, let’s make the seasoning sauce that will give the Yakbap its signature taste. In a bowl, combine the soy sauce, brown sugar, honey, sesame oil, and salt. Whisk everything together until the sugar is fully dissolved. Using brown sugar will give the Yakbap a richer color and a deeper flavor.
Step 3
Prepare the nuts for added nuttiness and texture. Roughly chop the almonds and walnuts with a knife, or simply halve them. This way, you’ll get a burst of nutty flavor with every bite! Add the raisins to the nuts.
Step 4
If you’re using leftover rice, gently warm it in the microwave for about 5 minutes. This helps the rice grains separate and mix better with the seasoning. While freshly cooked rice works too, leftover rice tends to give the Yakbap a chewier texture.
Step 5
To the warmed rice, add the prepared almonds, walnuts, and raisins. Pour the seasoning sauce over everything. Using a spatula or spoon, gently mix the ingredients, being careful not to mash the rice grains. Ensure all the rice is evenly coated with the seasoning.
Step 6
It’s time to shape the Yakbap. Transfer the mixture into a mold or container. Press down firmly to compact the rice mixture. This step is crucial for ensuring the Yakbap holds its shape. Once packed, microwave for another 6 minutes. After cooking, let it cool at room temperature before unmolding. This cooling process will help it set and achieve that perfect chewy texture.
