Melt-in-Your-Mouth Pizza Gratin Using Rice Cakes
Melt-in-Your-Mouth Pizza Gratin Using Rice Cakes
Special Children’s Day Snack! Wholesome Spoonable Pizza & Tteokguk Rice Cake Lasagna
Create a delightful snack, ‘Tteokguk Rice Cake Gratin,’ using leftover rice cakes! We’ve enriched this dish with boiled eggs and a creamy béchamel sauce for a satisfying meal. It’s a unique treat that both kids and adults will adore.
Pizza Ingredients- 150g Tteokguk rice cakes (sliced Korean rice cakes)
- 1/6 Zucchini
- 1/6 Onion
- 1/4 Tomato
- A little carrot
- 1 slice of frankfurter sausage
- 2 Hard-boiled eggs
- 80g Pizza cheese (mozzarella blend)
- 120g Store-bought tomato sauce
- A pinch of parsley flakes
Creamy Béchamel Sauce- 15g Unsalted butter
- 12g All-purpose flour
- 140g Milk
- A pinch of salt
- A little pepper
- 15g Unsalted butter
- 12g All-purpose flour
- 140g Milk
- A pinch of salt
- A little pepper
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, prepare the vegetables and sausage that will add flavor to the pizza. Finely dice the zucchini, carrot, onion, frankfurter sausage, and tomato into small cubes. Uniform dicing ensures even cooking and a pleasant texture.
Step 2
Heat a little cooking oil in a pan over medium heat. Add the diced zucchini, onion, carrot, and sausage. Sauté until fragrant and slightly softened, being careful not to burn them. The key is to bring out the natural sweetness of the vegetables.
Step 3
Once the vegetables are sautéed, add the chopped tomato and cook for another minute. Then, stir in the store-bought tomato sauce (120g) and cook for another 1-2 minutes until the sauce coats the vegetables. This step allows the tomato sauce to meld with the vegetables, enhancing the overall flavor.
Step 4
Now, let’s make the creamy béchamel sauce. In a saucepan, melt the butter (15g) over low heat. Once melted, whisk in the all-purpose flour (12g) to form a smooth paste, known as a ‘roux’. Cook the roux for about 1 minute, stirring constantly, to cook out the raw flour taste without letting it brown.
Step 5
Gradually whisk in the warm milk (140g), a little at a time, to prevent lumps. Continue whisking and cooking over low heat until the sauce thickens to your desired consistency. Season lightly with salt and pepper. Once it reaches a thick, creamy texture, remove from heat and let it cool slightly.
Step 6
The firm tteokguk rice cakes (150g) from the refrigerator need to be softened. Blanch them in boiling water for just about 1 minute – don’t overcook them, or they’ll become mushy. Drain the rice cakes and rinse them under cold water to stop the cooking process. Gently coat them with a little oil to prevent sticking.
Step 7
Prepare an oven-safe gratin dish or any heatproof bowl. Peel and finely mash or chop the 2 hard-boiled eggs. Spread the mashed egg evenly at the bottom of the dish. This layer adds a creamy texture and extra richness to the gratin.
Step 8
Pour a generous amount of the prepared béchamel sauce over the mashed eggs and spread it evenly. This creamy béchamel layer will beautifully complement the chewy rice cakes.
Step 9
Next, spread the sautéed tomato sauce and vegetable mixture over the béchamel sauce. This prepares the base for the rice cakes.
Step 10
Arrange the blanched tteokguk rice cakes evenly over the sauce. Gently spread them out so they don’t clump together. Repeat the layering process: add another layer of the tomato sauce and vegetable mixture, followed by a layer of rice cakes. You can repeat this 2-3 times to create distinct layers of flavors and textures.
Step 11
Finally, generously sprinkle the pizza cheese (80g) over the top layer. The melted cheese will create a golden, bubbly crust and tie all the flavors together. Feel free to use a mix of different cheeses for extra flavor.
Step 12
Bake in a preheated oven at 190°C (375°F) for about 10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and golden brown. Baking times may vary depending on your oven, so keep an eye on it. You can also use an air fryer at 180°C (350°F) for 7-9 minutes.
Step 13
Once out of the oven, sprinkle with parsley flakes for a final touch. Serve hot and enjoy this delicious Tteokguk Rice Cake Gratin! The combination of chewy rice cakes, savory sauce, and gooey cheese is truly irresistible.
