Ah, the rice cake. It has been a staple of global cuisine since 1937 and is truly one of our planet’s most beloved dishes. They are commonly used in Korean cooking to make tteokbokki, dumplings, and tteokguk. Rice cakes can be sweet or savory, thin or thick – the possibilities are endless!
At TheHungryMouth.com we love to discover new recipes and explore the histories behind them. Our homemade rice cake recipe isn’t just an easy way to whip up a great-tasting snack – it also has some interesting origins that go back centuries.
You see, rice cakes were originally made by soaking dry flour into a bowl of water overnight, to make dough. The dough was then boiled over medium-high heat for 10 minutes or until it had turned into a thick paste. After reducing the heat, they would gradually pour in hot water until the mixture became thick and glossy.
But why is rice so important to this recipe? It’s actually due to its unique properties – rice has long been associated with wealth and fertility since our ancestors first tilled their soil and tended to the wildlife around. Rice is also chock-full of health benefits, including omega-3 fatty acids, vitamins, healthy fats, and fiber.
Now that we know a bit more about where these delicious treats come from, let’s get down to the recipe! We’ll take you step-by-step through a classic recipe for making your own rice cakes at home.
Firstly, you will need two cups of short-grain white rice and three cups of boiling water. Rinse the rice several times until the water runs clear – this helps remove any impurities from the grains. Then soak the cold grains in fresh water overnight – they should be easily crushed with your fingers when ready! Drain the grains and pour them into a mixer bowl.
Add one cup of uncooked flour, 4 tablespoons of tapioca starch (some commenters have noted that different ingredient proportions yield completely different results!), 2 eggs, 1/2 cup of dry chips, and 1/4 cup of sugar. Mix the ingredients with a large fork or chopsticks until the mixture becomes thick and glossy.
Cover the plastic wrap over the bowl to prevent it from drying out. Wash your hands, as you will be kneading the dough now! Knead for no more than 15 minutes – if it starts to become too hard, try soaking yours in some warm water for an hour or two before continuing.
Once you’ve achieved a nice soft texture, take half of the dough and spread it into thin circle shapes on a greased pan. Make sure they are evenly distributed so they cook properly! Bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 Celsius) for 25-30 minutes – when done, they should be golden brown.
Last but not least, let the cakes cool for a few minutes before sprinkling on some sugar and enjoying. If there are any last few pieces that didn’t get baked properly, you can start them in the oven again – kneading them will make sure they don’t become too crusty!
Making your own rice cakes at home has never been easier. Don’t forget to experiment with different ingredients or proportions – you may just create something even better than what we have here! So go ahead, give it a try and share your results with us in the comments below! Enjoy!