Dinner: Rainbow rice cake ("mujigaeddeok":무지개떡)

How to make this beautiful and delicious multilayer Korean rice cake. The written recipe and photos and tips are posted on my website. http://www.maangchi.com/recipe/mujigae-ddeok I'm going to introduce a beautiful Korean rice cake today. It's called mujigae ddeok (무지개떡). Mujigae means rainbow, so my ancestors must have got the idea for the name from a rainbow! I love it! This is an example of how they incorporated natural beauty into their everyday life. Even though the name of the rice cake is "rainbow rice cake," it is usually made with only 3-5 different colored layers. That's why this rice cake is sometimes called "colorful rice cake" (색떡, saekddeok). In this recipe, I am using 5 different colors from bottom to top: brown, green, yellow, pink, and white. This rice cake is made on special occasions like a baby's 1 year old birthday, or a wedding. As you see in this video, making this rice cake takes a lot of effort and time, even though the ingredients are comparatively simple. However, if you make this rice cake for someone very special in your life, you wouldn't care much about time and effort. : ) You may wish this while you're rubbing the rice flour with your palms: "I wish my baby becomes healthy, smart, and a good, warm-hearted person!" "I wish my parents have healthy and long life!" "To show my love for my lovely husband (or wife) !" Leave a comment and let me know what you wish when you make this! Cooking time: 1.5 hours Ingredients:
A 2 pound package of frozen rice flour, sugar, salt, water, liquid food coloring (green, pink, and yellow), lemon, mugwort powder (ssukgaru 쑥가루), cocoa powder. Cooking utensils:
Steamer, sifter, 8 inch (20 cm) ring or springform. Directions: 1.Thaw out frozen rice flour package and put it into a large bowl. 2. Sift the rice flour. 3. Add 10 cups of water in the bottom of a steamer, and place a wet cloth over the rack. 4. Place the 8 inch cake ring in the center of the rack.
 Brown layer (the bottom layer): 1. Place 1 cup of rice flour in a medium sized bowl. Add 1 ts cocoa powder, a pinch of salt, 2 tbs of white sugar, and 4 ts of water. 2. Mix it all up and press out any wet lumps by rubbing the lumps gently between your palms. 3. Put the mixture into a sifter and sift into the center of the ring. 4. Flatten out the mixture so it sits level in the ring.
*tip: a business card works well 
 Green layer: 1.Place 1½ cup of rice flour in a medium sized bowl. Add a pinch of salt, 2 tbs sugar, and 1 ts mugwort powder (ssukgaru).
*tip: you can replace mugwort powder with green tea powder  2. Put 2 tbs of water and 1 drop of green liquid food coloring into a small bowl and mix well.
*tip: Use a chopstick to get a very little amount of the food coloring 3. Add the green water to the rice cake mixture and mix it all up. Press out any wet lumps by rubbing the lumps gently between your palms. 4. Put the mixture into a sifter and sift into the center of the ring. 5. Flatten out the mixture so it sits level in the ring. Yellow layer: 1.Place 1½ cup of rice flour in a medium sized bowl. Add a pinch of salt and 2 tbs sugar. 2. Put 1tbs lemon juice, 1 tbs water, and 1 drop of yellow liquid food coloring into a small bowl and mix well. 3. Add the yellow water to the rice cake mixture and mix it all up. Press out any wet lumps by rubbing the lumps gently between your palms. 4. Put the mixture into a sifter and sift into the center of the ring. 5. Flatten out the mixture so it sits level in the ring. Pink layer: 1. Place 1½ cup of rice flour in a medium sized bowl. Add a pinch of salt and 2 tbs sugar. 2. Put 2 tbs water and 1 drop of hot pink (fuchsia) liquid food coloring into a small bowl and mix well. 3. Add the pink water to the rice cake mixture and mix it all up. Press out any wet lumps by rubbing the lumps gently between your palms. 4. Put the mixture into a sifter and sift into the center of the ring. 5. Flatten out the mixture so it sits level in the ring. White layer (the top layer): 1. Place 1 cup of rice flour in a medium sized bowl. Add a pinch of salt, 2 tbs white sugar, and 4 ts water. 2. Mix it up and press out any wet lumps by rubbing the lumps gently between your palms. 3. Put the mixture into a sifter and sift into the center of the ring. 4. Flatten out the mixture so it sits level in the ring. Now let's garnish! 1.On the top of the cake place 5 dried cranberries to make flower petals. Put a few pine nuts in the center. 2.Cut a dried apricot into a thin strip, and place it as a flower stem. Finally, let's steam it: 1.Close the lid of the steamer and bring to a boil for 30 minutes over high heat. 2. Turn down the heat and simmer another 5 minutes. 3. Take out the rice cake and let it cool down. Serve with tea or coffee.

This recipe includes superfoods such as:

Lemon, Cranberries, Green Tea, Nuts

Health benefits of Rainbow rice cake ("mujigaeddeok":무지개떡)

Lemons can help to prevent oxidative damage to the body, which women with PCOS are often susceptible to. Lemons are also rich in vitamin C, flavonoids, and other antioxidants. They can potentially support the immune system and have other health benefits. Lemons also have a low glycemic index, so they should not cause a rapid rise in blood sugar when consumed in natural form.

Researchers believe that cranberries contain substances that prevent infection-causing bacteria from sticking to the urinary tract walls. However, store-bought cranberry juice is typically all sugar - so make sure to stick with straight cranberries.

Cranberries: The Unsung Hero in PCOS Management

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) stands as one of the predominant hormonal disorders affecting many women across the globe. Finding effective and holistic methods to manage its array of symptoms is often a journey filled with trials and experiments. Amidst the vast spectrum of dietary recommendations, a certain ruby-red fruit emerges as a potential powerhouse: the humble cranberry.

Understanding Cranberries:

Native to North America, cranberries are tiny, tart berries packed with nutrients. They are most commonly known for their ability to support urinary tract health. However, their benefits extend far beyond that, making them a valuable addition to the diet of those managing PCOS.

• 1. Rich in Antioxidants: Cranberries boast a high concentration of antioxidants, especially proanthocyanidins. These compounds can combat oxidative stress, which has been linked to insulin resistance, a common concern for those with PCOS.
• 2. Natural Anti-Inflammatory: Inflammation is often silently associated with PCOS. The anti-inflammatory properties of cranberries can potentially aid in reducing systemic inflammation, indirectly supporting hormonal balance.
• 3. Supports Gut Health: A healthy gut can influence hormonal balance. The fibers and phytonutrients in cranberries promote a balanced gut microbiome, fostering good digestive health.
• 4. Low Glycemic Fruit: Dietary recommendations for PCOS often stress the importance of low glycemic index (GI) foods to maintain steady blood sugar levels. Cranberries fit the bill perfectly, allowing for a sweet treat without the blood sugar spike.

Incorporating Cranberries into Your Diet:

While cranberry juice is widely available, it's essential to opt for unsweetened versions to avoid added sugars. Fresh cranberries can be added to salads, smoothies, or baked goods. Dried cranberries, preferably unsweetened or minimally sweetened, can be a delicious addition to oatmeal, granolas, or as a simple snack.

PCOS management requires a multifaceted approach, and nutrition stands as one of its cornerstones. By integrating cranberries into a balanced diet, individuals with PCOS can harness their benefits, taking a flavorful step towards better health. As with all dietary changes, it's always a good practice to consult with a healthcare professional or nutritionist to ensure the best choices for individual health needs.

Green tea has been found in recent studies to actually reverse insulin resistance, as it increases the number of glucose receptors on cells in key tissues. Nuts are a natural source of Inositol, a derivative of Vitamin B (which is often prescribed in the form of supplements for women with PCOS). Inositol can effectively control the symptoms of PCOS by reducing insulin resistance and improving insulin sensitivity.

Ingredients

See video for ingredients

Instructions

See video for instructions