Beef Gochujang Carrot Rice Balls
Beef Gochujang Carrot Rice Balls
Delicious Beef Gochujang Carrot Rice Balls Made with ‘Cham Dream’ Rice from Gyeonggido
Introducing our Beef Gochujang Carrot Rice Balls, perfect as a nutritious snack for kids or a satisfying meal for adults. Experience the fantastic harmony of generous minced beef, sweet and spicy stir-fried gochujang, and nutty perilla powder! Using ‘Cham Dream’ rice from Gyeonggido makes the rice extra chewy and flavorful, significantly enhancing the quality of your rice balls. With the addition of nutrient-rich carrots, these rice balls boast both vibrant colors and delightful tastes. Create a joyful mealtime with these power-packed rice balls.
Rice Ball Ingredients- 2 bowls of warm cooked rice (Cham Dream rice from Gyeonggido recommended)
- 50g finely chopped carrot
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1 tsp sesame seeds
- 2 packets of square seasoned seaweed sheets
Beef Gochujang Seasoning Ingredients- 100g minced beef
- 2 Tbsp gochujang (Korean chili paste)
- 1 Tbsp corn syrup or honey
- 1.5 Tbsp water
- 1 white part of green onion (finely chopped)
- 1 Tbsp perilla powder
- 1 Tbsp soy sauce
- 1 Tbsp cooking wine (mirin)
- 1 tsp minced garlic
- Pinch of ginger powder
- Pinch of black pepper
- 1-2 Tbsp cooking oil
- 100g minced beef
- 2 Tbsp gochujang (Korean chili paste)
- 1 Tbsp corn syrup or honey
- 1.5 Tbsp water
- 1 white part of green onion (finely chopped)
- 1 Tbsp perilla powder
- 1 Tbsp soy sauce
- 1 Tbsp cooking wine (mirin)
- 1 tsp minced garlic
- Pinch of ginger powder
- Pinch of black pepper
- 1-2 Tbsp cooking oil
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, prepare the rice, which is the foundation for delicious rice balls. Use 2 bowls of freshly cooked warm rice, ideally made with ‘Cham Dream’ rice from Gyeonggido, as it yields a wonderfully chewy and flavorful texture perfect for rice balls.
Step 2
To make the star of your rice balls, the beef gochujang filling, marinate 100g of minced beef. Mix it with 1 Tbsp soy sauce, 1 Tbsp cooking wine, a pinch of ginger powder, and a pinch of black pepper. Let it sit for a moment to absorb the flavors.
Step 3
Finely mince 1 tsp of garlic to add aromatic depth to the filling. You can adjust the amount to your preference.
Step 4
Finely chop about 1 white part of a green onion. This will add a fresh, fragrant element to the beef mixture.
Step 5
Combine the marinated minced beef with the minced garlic and chopped green onion. Mix well and let it rest for about 5 minutes to allow the seasonings to penetrate the meat.
Step 6
Now, it’s time to stir-fry the beef. Heat 1-2 Tbsp of cooking oil in a pan over medium heat. Avoid using too much oil, as it can make the gochujang filling greasy.
Step 7
Add the marinated minced beef to the hot pan and stir-fry over medium heat. Be sure to stir frequently to prevent the beef from burning. This is the beginning of a delicious stir-fried gochujang.
Step 8
Continue to cook the beef until it’s fully cooked through and most of the moisture has evaporated. Stir-frying thoroughly ensures the gochujang mixture will have a rich flavor and won’t become watery.
Step 9
To the well-cooked beef, add 2 Tbsp gochujang, 1 Tbsp corn syrup (or honey), and 1.5 Tbsp water. Reduce the heat to low and stir everything together until well combined. Cook gently, being careful not to let it burn.
Step 10
As the sauce begins to thicken, stir in 1 Tbsp of perilla powder for a nutty and rich flavor. The perilla powder will add a wonderful depth to the taste.
Step 11
Finally, sprinkle in 1 tsp of sesame seeds and mix. Your delicious beef gochujang stir-fry is now ready! Set it aside to cool slightly.
Step 12
Prepare the carrots that will add color and texture to your rice balls. Finely chop 50g of carrots. It’s best to chop them finely but not to a paste, so they retain a pleasant bite.
Step 13
Heat 1 Tbsp of olive oil in a clean pan over medium heat. Add the chopped carrots and stir-fry. Cooking them over medium heat will bring out their natural sweetness.
Step 14
While stir-frying the carrots, add a pinch of salt (about 1/4 tsp). This enhances the carrots’ sweetness and balances any slight bitterness.
Step 15
Once the carrots are tender, remove the pan from the heat. Be careful not to overcook them to the point of becoming mushy.
Step 16
Now, it’s time to mix the rice and carrots to form the rice balls. Place the 2 bowls of warm cooked rice into a mixing bowl. See how glossy and chewy the ‘Cham Dream’ rice is! ^^
Step 17
Add the stir-fried carrots and 1/4 tsp of salt to the rice. Use a spatula or spoon to mix everything evenly. For an extra touch of richness, you can add 1 Tbsp of sesame oil at this stage.
Step 18
Once the rice and carrots are well combined, you have a delicious carrot rice base! It’s tasty as is, but we’ll now shape it into wonderful rice balls. ^^
Step 19
Take a portion of the carrot rice and form it into a ball of your desired size. Gently press the center to create a slight indentation, which will be perfect for holding the beef gochujang filling. Ensure you pack the rice firmly so the balls don’t fall apart.
Step 20
Fill the indentation of the shaped rice ball with a generous spoonful of the prepared beef gochujang. This creates an ‘open-faced’ rice ball that looks as appetizing as it tastes!
Step 21
If you prefer a fully enclosed rice ball, after shaping the carrot rice ball in step 18, gently flatten the top, place the beef gochujang filling inside, then cover it with a bit more rice and re-shape it into a smooth ball.
Step 22
Another variation is to take about 1/3 of the remaining rice, mix it thoroughly with the beef gochujang filling, creating a ‘beef gochujang rice’. This is a great option if your kids enjoy a milder spicy flavor.
Step 23
Shape this beef gochujang rice into bite-sized balls. Aim for a size that’s easy for children to handle and eat.
Step 24
For a more elegant look, shape the ball into an elongated oval and wrap half a sheet of seasoned seaweed around it. These are perfect for lunchboxes or a stylish presentation.
Step 25
Now, let’s give the rice balls a crispy seaweed coating. Place 2 packets of square seasoned seaweed sheets into a zip-top bag and crush them into fine crumbs using your hands or a rolling pin.
Step 26
Roll the beef gochujang rice balls (from step 21) or the seaweed-wrapped ones (from step 23) in the crushed seaweed, ensuring an even coating. Gently press with your hands after coating to help the seaweed stick and maintain the shape.
Step 27
Voilà! Your delicious beef gochujang rice balls are now complete. Making them in various shapes adds to the fun and visual appeal.
Step 28
Enjoy your rice balls in different styles: the open-faced carrot rice balls, the beef gochujang filled seaweed rice balls, or the seaweed-coated beef gochujang rice balls. Making these with children can be a delightful culinary activity. Enjoy your meal! ^^!
