SALTED CARAMEL PANCAKES

HOTTEOK

Hotteok, sweet pancakes filled with a brown sugar syrup and nuts, are beloved by young and old alike. These decadent treats were my sister Sonya’s choice dessert when we were kids. In each bite, you crunch through a crispy golden crust, then through a chewy dough and finally into a gooey centre. I’ve jazzed up the classic recipe by substituting the brown sugar with muscovado sugar, which is richer and ‘oozier’ when melted, and mixing it with a touch of salt. Feel free to make your own version as well – I’ve seen these pancakes filled with everything from walnuts and honey to mixed seeds. And they’re even better with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and/or whipped cream on top.

Ingredients

MAKES ABOUT TEN 10 CM (4 IN) PANCAKE

Dough:

  • 360 ml (12 fl oz) whole milk
  • 2 tbsp granulated sugar
  • 1 pack (7 g/1⁄4 oz) instant yeast
  • 225 g (8 oz) bread flour, plus extra for dusting
  • 150 g (51⁄2 oz) sweet rice flour
  • 11⁄2 tbsp cornflour
  • 1⁄2 tsp sea salt

 

Filling:

  • 125 g (41⁄2 oz) muscovado sugar
  • 75 g (23⁄4 oz) peanuts, roughly chopped
  • 1 tbsp ground cinnamon
  • 3⁄4 tsp sea salt
  • Vegetable oil, for frying

 

Method

FOR THE DOUGH:

  1. In a very small saucepan, heat the milk to about 41°C/105°F. Remove from the heat, add the sugar and yeast and whisk until they have dissolved. Leave to stand in a warm place for 3–5 minutes, or until bubbling, to activate the yeast.
  2. In a large bowl, combine the bread flour, rice flour, cornflour and salt. Slowly stir in the warm milk mixture until a sticky dough forms. Shape the dough into a ball in the base of the bowl and cover the bowl with a clean damp tea towel.
  3. Leave the dough to rise in a warm place for 11⁄2–2 hours until doubled in size. Knock it back and let it rise for 11⁄2 hours until doubled in size again.

 

FOR THE FILLING:

  1. Meanwhile, in a small bowl, mix together the muscovado sugar, peanuts, cinnamon and salt.
  2. After the dough has risen a second time, dust a clean work surface with flour and turn the dough out onto it. Dust the top of the dough with some more flour and knead it a few times. Shape the dough into a fat, long log.
  3. Cut the dough into ten equal pieces, shape each piece into a ball, set on the floured work surface, and cover with a clean tea towel or clingfilm. Dusting with flour as needed to prevent sticking, press a dough ball into a 10 cm (4 in) wide disc using your fingertips. Make sure the disc is uniformly thick so the finished pancake will be evenly filled with caramel.
  4. Put the disc in your hand and slightly cup it. Spoon 11⁄2–2 tablespoons of the filling into the centre of the disc. Seal the disc closed by wrapping the dough around the filling and pinching the edges together at the top. Once sealed, reshape gently to form a ball, set with the seam side down on the floured work surface and cover with a clean tea towel or clingfilm. Repeat with the remaining dough balls and filling.
  5. In a large non-stick frying pan, heat 3 tablespoons of oil over a medium-high heat. Put two or three dough balls seam-side down in the pan and immediately flatten them with a spatula to a width of about 10 cm (4 in). Reduce the heat to medium-low and fry the pancakes for 3–4 minutes until golden brown and crispy on the bottom. Flip them and cook for a further 3–4 minutes until slightly springy to the touch.
  6. Transfer the pancakes to a wire rack or kitchen paper-lined plate when done. Repeat with the remaining dough balls, wiping the pan clean and adding fresh oil for each batch. Leave the pancakes to cool slightly before serving. Beware, it’s easy to burn yourself in your haste to gobble these up, as the insides are hot and oozing.

 

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Social media

@judyjoochef Instagram profile imageJanuary is a good time to return to foods that nourish from the inside out.

Kimchi has been part of Korean kitchens for generations…not as a trend, but as everyday nourishment.

Did you know?
Kimchi is naturally fermented and rich in beneficial bacteria, often referred to as lactobacillus, which supports gut health. It’s also a good source of fibre and contains vitamins A, B and C, along with antioxidants from ingredients like garlic, ginger and chilli.

Lovely to see this classic featured in @sainsburysmag Healthy Eating, and to see kimchi highlighted as part of their health trends for the year ahead. A reminder that eating well doesn’t have to be complicated.

#kimchi #fermentation #koreanfood #guthealth #healthyrecipes4 days ago via Instagram
@judyjoochef Instagram profile imageWelcome back to the K-Viral Kitchen. 

Today, I’m making my take on the internet-famous “Marry Me Chicken” with a Korean twist. 🍗🔥

The original version went viral for its rich, garlicky cream sauce that is worthy of a proposal. 

My remix brings together Italian-American comfort and Korean spice: tender chicken cutlets simmered in a creamy, gochujang sauce that clings to every bite. 

It’s cozy, a little spicy, deeply craveable, and perfect for a weeknight dinner or a date night in. 

Comment MARRY ME to get the full details ⤵️

Ingredients: @koreafoodsuk @seoulplaza_koreafoods 
Makeup: @jonesroadbeauty 

#MarryMeChicken #KoreanFood #DinnerRecipes #ComfortFood #Korea5 days ago via Instagram
@judyjoochef Instagram profile imageAd. One of Korea’s most iconic dishes: Bibimbap. 🇰🇷✨

A colorful, balanced bowl of rice, veggies, egg, and a sweet savory gochujang sauce mixed together for that perfect harmony of flavors and textures. 🥢🌈

Here’s a bit of backstory: Bibimbap literally means “mixed rice,” and myth and lore says that it originally began as a clever way to use up assorted leftovers, a thrifty tradition that evolved into one of Korea’s most beloved and beautiful dishes. Over time, it became an art form, often served in sizzling stone bowls (dolsot bibimbap) that keep the rice crackling hot at the table. 🔥🍚

Today it’s a symbol of balance and wellbeing, with each color representing a different element and nutrient, creating harmony in a single bowl.

SERVES 4

Ingredients:
For the ‘Triple B’ Sauce
110g gochujang (Korean chilli paste)
2 tbsp mirim
11/3 tbsp roasted sesame seeds
11/3 tbsp roasted sesame oil
3 tbsp finely chopped spring onions
For the Bibimbap
1 tbsp roasted sesame oil
800g steamed short-grain white rice
vegetable or other neutral oil, for cooking
100g bean sprouts (tails and any brown pieces removed)
½ courgette, halved lengthwise, then very sliced on a mandoline
1 carrot, peeled and julienned
180g spinach
4 shiitake mushrooms, destemmed and cut into 5mm slices
115g cabbage kimchi, drained and cut into 2cm pieces
1 large egg
sea or kosher salt

To Serve
roasted sesame seeds

✨ Shop all the ingredients and my cookbook in the Korean Aisle on @ocadouk. 🇰🇷🛒

#KoreanFood #FoodTok #EasyRecipes #Foodie #FoodLover6 days ago via Instagram
@judyjoochef Instagram profile imageWelcome back to the K-Viral Kitchen.

Today, I’m making one of my ultimate comfort dishes: a Korean-style egg custard soufflé, also known as gyeranjjim...but with a breakfast twist! 🥚✨

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Warm, savory, and perfect for easing into the new year, whether on its own or alongside grilled meats, this is comfort in a bowl.

Would you add cheese to your steamed eggs? Let me know ⤵️

Comment Eggs for the recipe!

Ingredients: @koreafoodsuk @seoulplaza_koreafoods 
Makeup: @jonesroadbeauty 

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