Baesuk (배숙): Korean Cooked Pear

Baesuk is a traditional Korean fruit punch made with pear, ginger, honey and cinnamon as the main ingredients. I first came across this punch watching Maangchi. 

"That will be just nice for a cool, rainy December night..." I immediately thought to myself.

It was just fate that I came across some beautiful Korean pears, gleaming and beckon at me from their crates, when I did my grocery shopping the following day. I failed to resist the luring powers. I usually end with more stuff then I need on such buying trips, I guess it's due to my unwavering conviction in the power of retail therapy...

I victoriously lugged the pears home and started reading up and found out that baesuk was originally served in Korean royal court cuisine. Cool, my mind started to play images from the "Jewel in the Palace" and the haunting soundtrack started to play in my head...
 

Snapping back to reality, I also found out that:

Pear
Under the concept of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), pears are cold in nature and can be used to detoxify, regenerate body fluids, dissolve mucus, quench thirst, relieve restlessness, promote urination, treat constipation, alleviate retina pain, heal skin lesions, promote overall skin health, lubricate the throat, relieve a cough, and heal a hoarse throat.

Ginger
Ginger is warm in nature and can be used to dispel cold and wind, warm the body by improving circulation, regulate digestion and reduce nausea.

Honey

Consumption of honey can help dispel pathogenic heat, clear away toxins, relieve pain and combat dehydration. It is believed that eating honey every morning can help prevent constipation and it is a good choice for those who suffer chronic coughing.

Cinnamon
It is use as tonic for stomach, dispel of wind, to promote urination and sweating, treat headache, anemia and cold limbs.

I also realise that as I age, I start to sway towards more holistic approved oach for health and yes, I am starting to become more health conscious. I don't wish to fall ill or pass away too soon now that I'm looking forward to a new phase of my life. That explains all the TCM ramblings with background meditative and yogi thoughts... yada yada yada...

Snapping back to baesuk. This is how I made it:

For 1-2 servings

Ingredients

1 sizable Korean pear

2 tbsp. honey

1 tsp. grated ginger and don't forget the juice

½ tsp. cinnamon powder

2 red dates, pits removed

Steps

1. Slice about 1 inch off the top of the pear and keep that for the lid. 

2. Scoop out the core and the seeds with a small spoon.

3. Scoop out some of the flesh to create a "pear pot", be careful not to break through the skin or you will end up with a leaky pot.  

K

4. Fill it up the "pear pot" with pear flesh, honey, ginger, cinnamon powder, and red dates.

5. Put the sliced lid back on the "pear pot" and put it in a heat-resistant bowl. 

6. Steam the pear about 1 hour over medium high heat.

When done, you should be able to see that the skin is starting to peel off from the tender and translucent flesh of the pear. 

Do serve it hot if it is consumed as a cold remedy. Lift the lid and you will see the nutrious fillings swimming in amber goodness. 

Feel your tummy and body warm up as you sip this fragrant yet delicate baesuk essence.  Otherwise, you can serve chilled on a sweltering hot day as well.