Nutritious Red Bean Sweet Rice (Pat Chal Bap)
Making Delicious and Nutritious Red Bean Sweet Rice at Home
Spotting the red beans I’d bought for making red bean paste reminded me of the ‘Pat Chal Bap’ my mother used to make for my birthday. This recipe combines the chewy texture of glutinous rice with the sweet and nutty flavors of red beans, soybeans, and chestnuts, creating a nutritious and satisfying dish perfect for special occasions or when you need a comforting meal.
Main Ingredients- 6 cups glutinous rice
- 2 cups red beans
- 1/2 cup soybean (black beans)
- 10 chestnuts
Seasoning and Others- 0.4 Tbsp salt (approx. 6g)
- 6 cups water (for boiling beans and cooking rice, adjust as needed)
- 0.4 Tbsp salt (approx. 6g)
- 6 cups water (for boiling beans and cooking rice, adjust as needed)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, rinse the 2 cups of red beans thoroughly. Then, soak them in plenty of water for about 3 hours until they are well-plumped. Soaking ensures the beans will cook to a tender consistency.
Step 2
Rinse the 6 cups of glutinous rice and 1/2 cup of soybeans (black beans) and soak them in cold water for 30 minutes. Soaking the glutinous rice enhances its chewiness, while the soybeans become softer, improving the overall texture of the rice.
Step 3
Place the soaked red beans in a pot and add enough water to cover them. Bring to a boil. Discard this first cooking water; it can sometimes impart a slightly bitter taste. Removing this water helps to bring out the beans’ natural nutty flavor.
Step 4
Add fresh water to the pot, enough to cover the beans again. Bring it to a boil over high heat, then reduce to medium heat and simmer for 10 minutes. Be careful not to overcook the beans; they should be tender but not mushy.
Step 5
Drain the cooked red beans using a sieve. Reserve the cooking water; this flavorful liquid will be used to cook the sweet rice.
Step 6
The reserved red bean water will be mixed with the glutinous rice for cooking. This water adds a beautiful reddish hue and a subtle nutty flavor to the rice, making the ‘Pat Chal Bap’ more delicious and nutritious.
Step 7
In a pressure cooker (or rice cooker), combine the soaked glutinous rice, cooked red beans, soybeans, and 10 chestnuts (peeled and cut into desired pieces). Pour in the reserved red bean water. The general ratio for glutinous rice is 1:1 water, but since you’re adding chestnuts and soybeans, which absorb moisture, a 1:1 ratio of rice to liquid is a good starting point. Add more plain water if needed to reach this level. Stir everything gently.
Step 8
Sweet rice benefits from a touch of seasoning. Add 0.4 Tbsp of salt (about 6g) and mix well to distribute it evenly throughout the rice and beans.
Step 9
Select the ‘Nutritious Rice’ or ‘Multi-grain Rice’ setting on your electric rice cooker and start cooking. (Tip for pressure cooker: If using a pressure cooker, add all ingredients, cover, and heat on high until the pressure indicator rises. Then, reduce heat to low and steam for 4 minutes. Turn off the heat and let it rest until the pressure indicator drops.)
Step 10
Once the cooking cycle is complete, let the pressure cooker or rice cooker rest until the pressure indicator has completely lowered and the steam has escaped. This resting period allows the rice to finish steaming and become perfectly fluffy.
Step 11
Open the lid to reveal your delicious ‘Pat Chal Bap’! The chewy glutinous rice, tender red beans, nutty soybeans, and soft chestnuts create a wonderfully complex and satisfying flavor, much richer than just plain red bean rice. Some of this delicious rice can be portioned and frozen for later enjoyment on days when you crave a comforting and healthy meal. Enjoy your homemade treat!
