It
SNOWED this week and it’s still pretty chilly around the peninsula. But the traditional
day which signals the beginning of spring arrived today. ‘Tis the day swallows
return. Back in the old days, folks went flower-viewing to appreciate the
beauty of the season, during the third day of the third lunar month. If you
spot sulfur or swallowtail butterflies on this day, you’ll have good luck for
the rest of the year. So keep looking!
Hwajeon is the
dessert of the day. It’s a pan-roasted coin-shaped rice cake with edible flowers.
You can substitute flowers with dried fruits or nuts like the following recipe.
Ingredients
Serves 1
50ml
rice powder
1
pinch salt
1
1/2 tablespoon (or more) hot water
15
petal-shaped dried dates
1
drop wild sesame oil or vegetable oil
1
teaspoon honey
Directions
1. In a bowl, mix rice powder, a pinch of salt and hot water. Stir
well with a spoon until the mixture is cool enough to touch. Knead about a
minute.
2. Form into three balls and gently flatten with the
palm of your hand.
3. Decorate with petal shaped dried dates.
4.
In a preheated non-stick pan, drop oil and rub over the pan with a paper towel.
Roast rice cakes in low heat for about 2 minutes each side or until slightly
golden brown.
5.
Place them on a plate and pour honey over the rice cakes.
