Hobakjuk || Pumpkin Porridge, 南瓜粥, 南瓜粥, カボチャ粥, 호박죽 2

Hobakjuk is a beloved Korean porridge, especially popular during the autumn season. It’s a sweet and comforting dish, perfect for a cozy meal or a light dessert.

Ingredients:

• 1 small pumpkin (about 1.5 lbs or 700g)
• 1/2 cup glutinous rice flour (찹쌀가루)
• 3 cups water
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 tablespoon honey or sugar (optional)

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Pumpkin:
   • Cut the pumpkin in half and remove the seeds.
   • Peel the pumpkin and cut it into small chunks.
   • Steam the pumpkin chunks until soft.
2. Make the Porridge Base:
   • In a pot, combine the glutinous rice flour with 3 cups of water.
   • Stir the mixture until it’s smooth and there are no lumps.
3. Combine Pumpkin and Porridge Base:
   • Add the steamed pumpkin to the rice flour mixture.
   • Use an immersion blender or a regular blender to blend the mixture until smooth and creamy.
4. Cook the Porridge:
   • Transfer the blended mixture back to the pot.
   • Bring the mixture to a boil over medium heat, stirring constantly.
   • Reduce heat to low and simmer for about 10-15 minutes, or until the porridge thickens.
5. Season and Serve:
   • Add salt and honey or sugar to taste.
   • Serve the hot porridge in bowls.

Tips:

• For a richer flavor, you can add a pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg.
• To make the porridge even creamier, you can add a splash of milk or cream.
• If you don’t have glutinous rice flour, you can use regular rice flour, but the texture might be slightly different.
• You can also add other ingredients to your hobakjuk, such as red bean paste or chestnuts.

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