by JUDY JOO
These oozing, decadent treats were my sister Sonya’s favorite when we were kids. I love the fried dough’s toothsome texture and the sweet filling. I’ve jazzed up my recipe making a salted caramel version. Feel free to make up your own version as well — I’ve seen these pancakes with everything from walnuts and honey, to sesame seeds inside. You’ll love the texture. In each bite you’ll crunch through a crispy golden crust, then through a chewy dough, and finally into a gooey center. These will quickly become a hit at home with adults and kids.
Tips:
• These are great with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and/or whipped cream on top for an extra treat.
• When shaping, make sure your dough disks are even in thickness. This will ensure that your hotteok will have filling from edge to edge.
• If you can’t find muscovado sugar, substitute dark brown sugar. I found that muscovado melts the best to get that oozing center result.
Dough:
• 1 1/2 cups (360 milliliters) whole milk
• 2 tablespoons granulated white sugar
• 1 packet (7 grams/0.25 ounces) instant dry yeast
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt or sea salt
• 1 1/2 cups (225 grams) strong or bread flour, plus additional for dusting
• 1 cup (150 grams) sweet glutinous rice flour
• 4 1/2 teaspoons (20 grams) corn flour or corn starch
Filling:
• 1/2 cup (125 grams) muscovado sugar, firmly packed
• 1/2 cup (75 grams) peanuts,
crushed roughly
• 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
• 3/4 teaspoons kosher salt or sea salt
• About 1 cup (235 milliliters) vegetable oil for frying, or any neutral flavored oil
For the dough:
In a small saucepan, warm the milk up slightly and whisk in the sugar and yeast, making sure they are dissolved completely. Let stand in a warm place to activate, about 3-5 minutes, or until bubbly. In a large bowl, combine the salt and all three of the flours. Slowly pour in the warm milk and yeast mixture. Mix gently with a wooden spoon until a uniform but slightly sticky dough forms. Shape into a ball and cover the bowl with a damp cloth. Let rise in a warm place, until doubled in size, about 1.5 to 2 hours. Knock the dough down and let rise again until doubled in size, another 1.5 hours.
For the filling:
In a small bowl, mix together the muscovado sugar, peanuts, cinnamon and salt. After the dough has risen the second time, dust a clean surface with flour and knock the dough out on to it. Dust the top of the dough with some more flour and knead it a couple of times. Shape the dough into a fat long log. Divide the dough into 10 even pieces and shape into balls (about 75 grams/2.6 ounces each). Cover with plastic wrap.
Dusting with flour as necessary to prevent sticking, press a dough ball into a 4-inches/10 centimeters in diameter round disk using your fingertips. Place the disk in your hand and cup it slightly. Scoop in about 1 1/2 to 2 tablespoons of the sugar mixture into the center of the disk. Seal closed by pinching the edges together at the top wrapping the dough around the filling.
Once sealed, reshape gently making a round ball. Set down with the seam side down on a well-floured surface. Cover with plastic wrap. Repeat forming pancakes with the remaining dough and filling.
Frying:
Place a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat and coat generously with oil, about 3 to 4 tablespoons. Working in batches of 3, place the pancakes seam side down on the frying pan and immediately flatten them gently with a spatula. Fry over medium to medium-low heat for about 3-4 minutes each side, until dough is golden crispy brown and slightly springy to the touch. Transfer to a wire rack when done. Wipe your pan clean with a paper towel in between batches and use fresh oil with each batch. Let pancakes cool slightly before eating. Be careful not to burn yourself in your haste to gobble these up, as the insides are hot and oozing.
Yield: Makes 10 pancakes
Copyright © 2014, Judy Joo. All rights reserved.
To learn more about Chef Joo and her show Korean Food Made Simple, check out our interview with her.
This article was published in the August/September 2014 issue of KoreAm. Subscribe today! To purchase a single issue copy of the August/Sept. issue, click the “Buy Now” button below. (U.S. customers only. Expect delivery in 5-7 business days).
