Recipe:Tteokjjim(떡찜)

Do you know Garaetteok? It is a long, white and very chewy rice cake. Traditionally, it has the meaning of "Long life." Thus, on Lunar New year's Day, Korean people make a dish called "Tteokguk" using GaraeTteok for their longevity. Tteokjjim is also made of long Tteoks. (Actually, it was one of the King's meals. In the past, many Kings rarely did any exercise so they frequently suffered from indigestion. Therefore, cooks created Tteokjjim which would not be a burden to the King's digestion despite containing beef.)
Generally, most families used the rest of Tteoks that were left behind after making Tteokguk, to make Tteokjjim. But nowadays, Tteokjjim is one of the greatest snacks between meals. So, it is not called "Leftovers" any more.
Preparation Time : 30 min │ Cooking Time : 20 min │ Serves : 4
▷ Ingredients
6 long slender white rice-cakes, 20cm length, 100g chopped beef, 1 Cup water, 1 Onion ※ marinade for beef-1 Tsp soy sauce, 1tsp ground sesame, 1tsp sesame oil, 1tsp chopped garlic, 1tsp chopped leek, 2Tsp pine nuts ※ Condiments-5Tsp soy sauce, 2Tsp sugar, 2Tsp chopped leek, 2Tsp chopped garlic, 2Tsp sesame oil, 2Tsp ground sesame
▷ Preparation ① Cut long rice-cakes (Tteok) into 4cm length. Make 2 slits into side of each Tteok piece with a sharp knife. (When you make a slit, do not cut Tteok in half.) ② Slice onion. ③ Mix condiments well. ④ Marinade beef. ▷ Recipe ① Stuff slits with a teaspoon of beef and pine nuts. ② Place sliced onion in pan. ③ Add condiment and Tteok to the pan. ④ Pour water down side of pan. Simmer gently. ⑤ Toss Tteoks until they are well coated. ⑥ When Tteoks turn lightly golden, remove from heat. (If you keep cooking Tteok, it will absorb stock and sauce will thicken.) ⑦ Spoon stock over Tteok. Serve.