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Colorful Korean Desserts Made with Omija
Readers' Recipes
In this August issue, we introduce omija desserts that will revitalize your heat exhausted daily life. Omija, which is named for the five tastes it carries - sweet, bitter, tart salty, and spicy, displays a stronger tart flavor and a beautiful red jewel-like color, making it a popular ingredient in traditional Korean drinks and snacks. Let's meet the colorful omija desserts created by tradition with a modern twist.
Readers @ewha.bap, @tunguri_1115, @tteok_namoo
A Traditional Pink Dasik
Omija Yanggaeng
Made with natural ingredients such as omija extract, agar, and white bean paste, omija yanggaeng tastes as good as its pretty pink color. You can create the faintly sweet flavor by using fruit-based syrups such as maesilchung (green plum syrup). Enjoy omija yanggaeng with the refreshing flavor of omija and deep flavor of crunchy pine nuts as a fantastic Dasik for your tea this summer.
Ingredients
1/2 omija extract, 1/2 cup water, 50 grams sugar-free white bean paste, 2 tablespoons pine nuts, 1 tablespoon agar-agar powder (about 10 grams), and 1 cup lukewarm water to mix with the agar powder
Directions
① Mix 1 cup of lukewarm water with 1 tablespoon of powdered agar-agar and let it soak for about 30 minutes.
② In a separate bowl, mix omija extract, water, white bean paste, and pine nuts together.
③ Pour the soaked powdered agar into a saucepan and boil over low heat for 3 minutes, stirring to dissolve the agar.
④ Pour the ingredients mixed in step 2 into a saucepan, stir, and boil over low heat for 1 minute.
⑤ Pour step 4 into molds and refrigerate to harden, then cut into appropriate sizes and enjoy.
Cool, Tart and Twice the Freshness!
Omija-Watermelon Hwachae
Hwachae is the first summer snack that comes to mind on a hot day to quench your thirst. If you crave hwachae, use omija extract instead of milk or soda. The cool and tart taste of omija adds to the refreshing feeling, making summer desserts even more special.
Ingredients
1/4 watermelon, 300ml undiluted omija extract, 1.2L water, honey, sugar, starch syrup, blueberries, apple mint, 1/4 pear (4 servings)
Directions
① Blend omija extract and water in a ratio of 1:4.② Add some honey, sugar, and starch syrup according to taste.
③ Put the omija mixture in the freezer for a day.
④ Slice the watermelon and pear in small sizes. If you want to add an aesthetic twist, use flower-shaped cutters to cut the fruits.
⑤ Decorate the punch with blueberries, watermelon, apple mint, and pear.
A Bouncy Korean Fruit Jelly-Like Confection
Omija Gwapyeon
Gwapyeon, a type of refreshment traditionaly enjoyed by royalty, is a Korean-style jelly confection made with a variety of seasonal fruits. The most common fruits used in Gwapyeon are prickly pear, apricot, and omija. In particular, Omija, with its bright red color and refreshing flavor, is an ingredient that makes Gwapyeon even more amazing. When you take a bite, you'll feel the charming harmony of the bouncy texture of the Gwapyeon and the sour flavor of omija.
Ingredients
Dried omija, 4 cups water, 1/2 cup sugar, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/2 cup starch flour, 1/2 cup water
Directions
① Put the the washed dried omija and water in a bowl and let it soak overnight.
② Strain the omija through a mesh strainer and put the omija water aside.
③ Make starch paste by adding 1/2 cup of water to 1/2 cup of starch flour and whisking to dissolve any lumps.
④ Add the starch paste and the rest of the ingredients to a pot, mix evenly, and bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring constantly.
⑤ Remove from heat and set in a mold of your choice.
