Heart Shaped Tteokbokki

Ingredients:

For the Rice Cake (Tteok):

1. Garaetteok (cylinder-shaped rice cakes) or store-bought tteok
2. Water (for soaking rice cakes)

For the Tteokbokki Sauce:

1. Gochujang (Korean red chili paste) - 3 tablespoons
2. Gochugaru (Korean red chili flakes) - 1 tablespoon (adjust based on spice preference)
3. Soy sauce - 1 tablespoon
4. Sugar - 1 tablespoon
5. Mirin (optional) - 1 tablespoon
6. Water - 2 cups
7. Fish cake slices (optional) - for extra flavor
8. Hard-boiled eggs (optional) - for garnish

Instructions:

1. Soak Rice Cakes:
   • Soak the cylinder-shaped rice cakes (garaetteok) in water for about 1-2 hours until they are soft and pliable.
2. Shape into Hearts:
   • Take each soaked rice cake and shape it into a heart by pinching one end and forming a point at the opposite end.
3. Prepare Tteokbokki Sauce:
   • In a pot, combine gochujang, gochugaru, soy sauce, sugar, mirin, and water. Mix well to form a smooth sauce.
4. Cooking Tteokbokki:
   • Bring the sauce to a boil and add the heart-shaped rice cakes. Cook over medium heat, stirring gently, until the rice cakes are fully coated and the sauce thickens.
5. Add Fish Cake (Optional):
   • If using fish cake slices, add them to the pot and cook until they are heated through.
6. Adjust Consistency:
   • Adjust the consistency of the sauce by adding more water if needed. The goal is to have a thick and sticky sauce that coats the rice cakes.
7. Serve:
   • Once the rice cakes are tender and the sauce has thickened, remove from heat. Optionally, garnish with hard-boiled eggs.
8. Enjoy:
   • Serve the Heart-Shaped Tteokbokki hot and enjoy this delightful and festive twist on the classic Korean dish.

Tips:

• You can add vegetables like sliced carrots or cabbage for added texture and flavor.
• Customize the spiciness by adjusting the amount of gochugaru and gochujang to your liking.