Patjuk

About the dish

Patjuk, red-bean porridge with chewy glutinous-rice balls, is the dish of Dongji, the winter solstice. Its red color was believed to drive off bad luck and invite good fortune for the year to come.

Key ingredient

Red bean (pat) — diuretic, flushing waste from the body; its potassium reduces swelling and helps blood pressure, with antioxidants against aging. Peak in September, from areas like Naju.

Ingredients

Main: red beans, glutinous rice flour (for the rice balls), rice · Seasoning: salt, sugar

Simple recipe

1. Boil the red beans, discard the first water, and boil again until soft.
2. Mash and pass through a sieve for the bean liquid.
3. Bring to a boil and drop in the rice balls.
4. When the balls float, they are done.
5. Season with salt and sugar and serve as the solstice dish.

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