Yak Kwa Korean Ginger Cookies Food

KOREAN HONEY PASTRY (YAKGWA OR YAKWA)

Steps:

• Prepare oil for frying. Note for Yakgwa, we want to start frying at a low temperature.
• Make syrup by mixing rice syrup, honey and water in a sauce pan or frying pan. Heat on medium heat, stirring occasionally. Once it boils, turn the heat off and add the chopped ginger, mix and set it aside.
• In a large mixing bowl, add flour (add salt - optional) and then sesame oil. Mix the flour with the oil by rubbing the mixture thoroughly with your hands, until you feel the oil is all blended in with the flour.
• Mix the Soju and honey in a separate cup/bowl until the honey is all dissolved.
• Pour soju/honey mixture into the flour mixture and gently press the dough to form a ball.
• Divide dough in half. Roll out one half of the dough into 1/4 to 1/3 inch thick rectangular shape. Cut the dough into 1 inch wide strips and then cut the strips at an angle to make diamond shapes.
• Yakgwa is fried in 2 different temperatures and this what makes it tricky. For the first part, oil should be around 265° F (130°C). Yakwa will slowly rise to the top.
• For the second part, when all the pieces have risen to the top, raise the heat to medium high to reach normal frying temperature . Continue frying until Yakgwa turns rich brown in color.
• When Yakgwa pieces turn rich dark brown, removec from oil and let oil drain in a colander lined with paper towel.
• Soak fried Yakgwa in prepared ginger honey syrup.
• Leave for few min until it has soaked up all the syrup, take it out of the syrup and place onto a plate.
• Sprinkle top with chopped pine nuts while it is still wet so the nuts will stick to it.

YAKGWA: KOREAN HONEY COOKIES

Steps:

• Gather the ingredients.
• Place the flour in a large bowl.
• Add sesame oil and mix by hand, rubbing the flour between your hands and fingers to combine.
• In a separate bowl, whisk the honey, sake, and water together.
• Add the liquid ingredients to the flour mixture and knead gently with your hands to form a dough.
• Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and set aside for 30 minutes.
• On a floured surface, roll out the dough to 1/2-inch thick.
• Cut the dough into 1-inch strips to make diamond or rectangle shapes. Or cut into a flower shape if you have at hand a yakgwa-pan exclusively made to shape these cookies.
• With the help of a fork or toothpick, pierce a small hole in the center of each cookie. Set aside.
• Gather the ingredients.
• Place the rice malt syrup, honey, and ginger in a saucepan over medium heat.
• Bring to a simmer and then remove immediately from heat.
• Carefully pour into a rectangular dish or glass baking pan large enough to hold the cookies in a single layer.
• Place a sturdy, flat-bottomed fryer or saucepan onto the stove. Add enough oil for frying, at least 2 to 3 inches.
• Heat over medium heat until the oil temperature is 212 F.
• In small batches, drop pastries in oil and fry, gently turning them until they puff and float, about 4 to 5 minutes.
• Raise the heat of the oil to about 300 F and continue frying until the yakgwa turns golden brown.
• With the help of a slotted spoon, remove the yakgwa from the oil and place them into the ginger syrup. Repeat the frying process with the remaining cookies, being careful to allow all cookies to go through the 2 oil temperature stages. When you're done frying one batch, you need to allow the oil to come back down to 212 F.
• When all of the yakgwa have been placed in the syrup, turn each one over once so they are coated.
• Soak in the syrup for 2 to 3 hours. Remove with a slotted spoon onto another dish lined with parchment paper.
• Sprinkle with pine nuts and sesame seeds. Enjoy!

YAK KWA (KOREAN GINGER COOKIES)

Steps:

• Combine sugar, honey, salt, and 1/2 cup water in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil. Simmer for 5 minutes, stirring frequently. Remove from heat and cool. Set aside.
• Blend ginger and 2 tbsp water in a blender and puree until smooth. Pour through a strainer and set aside.
• Combine flour, salt, and sesame oil in the bowl of a food processor. Pulse until the mixture resembles fine breadcrumbs. Add ginger juice, honey, rice wine, and 2 tbsp water and process until a smooth, pliable dough forms.
• Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and roll it out into a 1/4 inch thick circle, about 12 inches wide. Using a small cookie cutter, cut dough into 20 cookies.
• Heat 2 inches of oil in a 6 qt saucepan until a deep-fry thermometer reads 300 degrees F. Working in batches, carefully slide cookies into oil and fry, flipping once, until puffed and golden (3-4 minutes).
• Using a slotted spoon, transfer to a baking sheet with a wire rack. Dip cookies into syrup and transfer to a serving plate. Dust with cinnamon and pine nuts, if using.

KWAS

Steps:

• Rinse out an earthenware jar or any non-alluminium container with boiling water.
• (Note: the alluminium would react with the acidity of the kwas).
• Put the flour in the jar and mix to a liquid paste with a little of water.
• Leave the mixture to settle for a few minutes, and then pour on the remaining boiled water.
• Chop the garlic and add.
• Cover the top of the jar with muslin or pierced cling film and leave in a warm place for 4 to 5 days to ferment.
• Strain and use as required.
• If stored in an airtight container, it will keep for a few weeks.