Paleo Sesame Ginger Candy — Korean Paleo Gang Jeong (nut-free, gluten-free, 4 ingredients)
With just 4 ingredients, this Paleo Sesame Ginger Candy (aka Korean Paleo Gang Jeong) is a healthy holiday treat, perfect for any special occasion. Sticky, crunchy, and not too sweet, this traditional Korean confection has had a real food makeover and is grain-free, nut-free, gluten-free, and refined sugar-free!
What’s sticky, crunchy, not too sweet, and perfect for any special occasion?
Gang Jeong!
(crickets…. because you don’t know what that is… crickets) 😉
Well, neither did I.
Until I got my review copy of my friend Jean Choi’s new cookbook Korean Paleo — 80 Bold-Flavored, Gluten- & Grain-Free Recipes.
Korean Paleo by Jean Choi
Heavily influenced by her mother’s and grandmother’s methods of cooking, Korean Paleo is a marriage of lifestyles — east meets west, modern meets traditional, and Paleo meets a cuisine typically laden with grains and soy.
Korean Paleo is a celebration of authentic and modern Korean recipes from Jean’s heritage, recreated and re-worked to be free of gluten, grains, dairy, and soy.
Jean, blogger at What Great Grandma Ate and a certified nutritional therapy practitioner, proves in her book that it is possible to have authentic Korean flavors, made at home, without the processed ingredients usually found at restaurants.
For instance, the condiments we find on the tables of most Asian restaurants are filled with wheat, corn syrup, thickeners, and fake sugars. Yet, Korean Paleo teaches us to make these at home, using real foods and traditional preparation methods.
Flipping through these 80 “Paleo-fied” recipes, you’ll find favorites like Bibimbap, Bulgogi, Kimchi, Gochujang, and more.
A die-hard Asian food-lover, I can honestly say this is the cookbook I’m most excited about in 2018! Order yours right here!
As soon as I saw this recipe for Paleo Gang Jeong (paleo sesame ginger candy), I knew I had to try it and then share it with you!
What Is Gang Jeong or Kang Jung?
Gang Jeong (or gangjeong or kang jung) is a Korean candy, commonly served during traditional holidays.
Traditionally made from glutinous rice flour, Gang Jeong or Kang Jung is a deep-fried, crunchy confection coated in honey and contains beans, seeds, and/or spices.
In her grain-free version, Jean has simplified the traditional recipe, removed the rice and beans, and graced the world with these: sticky, crunchy, not-too-sweet Paleo Sesame Ginger Candy.
Here’s what Jean has to say about her Paleo Sesame Ginger Candy:
This crunchy sesame seed candy, commonly served over traditional holidays, is quite addictive because it’s deliciously nutty and not overly sweet. You can use already toasted sesame seeds, but I prefer to toast them before making the candy because the flavor is so much better that way. Make sure to work quickly when you roll out the sesame seed mixture. It doesn’t take long for it to harden into candy.
Black or White Sesame Seeds? (+ why sesame seeds are awesome)
You’re going to need two cups of sesame seeds — either black or white or both.
I’ve never had a chance to use black sesame seeds for more than a garnish before, so I was thrilled to have a reason to use them as the star of this healthy paleo holiday candy!
I also keep a stockpile of white sesame seeds, too, so my daughter suggested that we mix them together. We’re happy with the result!
Whether you choose white or black sesame seeds, know that both have been revered in several ancient cultures for their valuable health benefits.
For instance, the Hindu culture views sesame seeds as a “symbol of immortality”. Ayurvedic medicine in ancient India reveres sesame seed oil for it’s ability to relieve anxiety, insomnia, menstrual cramps, and headaches.
In traditional Chinese medicine, black sesame seeds are used to treat tinnitus, blurry vision, and dizziness.
Sesame Seeds for Women, too!
Sesame seeds also have a prominent place in women’s health and are used in a hormone-balancing protocol known as seed cycling.
In seed cycling, different seeds are consumed during the two phases of a woman’s menstrual cycle.
- Phase 1 is called the Follicular Phase and occurs from the onset of menstruation until the day before ovulation.
- Phase 2 is called the Luteal Phase and occurs from ovulation until the day before menstruation.
Sesame seeds, along with sunflower seeds and evening primrose oil, are consumed daily during the Luteal Phase to support hormone balance and production.
I have personally experienced the hormone balance, reduction in PMS and cramping, and connection to my divine feminine energy through seed cycling. It’s one of the ultimate ways we can use food as medicine!
Read and learn more: Understanding The Female Cycle & How Seeds Can Restore Balance (even in menopause!)
These Paleo Sesame Ginger Candies are easily consumed during seed cycling to get those sesame seeds in!
What about anti-nutrients and phytic acid?
Nutritional powerhouses that they are, sesame seeds are also really high in anti-nutrients, like phytic acid. Phytic acid is found naturally in seeds, like grains, nuts, and yes, sesame seeds because it is protective of the seed before it germinates.
Phytic acid, however, isn’t great for humans. It binds to the minerals in our food, prevents us from absorbing them, and leads to nutrient deficiencies over time if foods high in phytates are consumed regularly.
(Hint: if you’re eating a Standard American Diet, you’re consuming a lot of phytic acid on the regular.)
Learn more about phytic acid here.
To neutralize phytic acid, I always recommend soaking, sprouting, or fermenting nuts, beans, grains, and seeds. (Learn more about which seeds should be soaked.)
In this case, though, I’m simply going to recommend that you purchase hulled sesame seeds — because the majority of anti-nutrients in sesame seeds are found in the hulls. That’s easy, right?!
- Where to find hulled white sesame seeds
- Where to find hulled black sesame seeds
- Find sprouted sesame seeds here, too.
How To Make Korean Paleo Gang Jeong (Paleo Sesame Ginger Candy)
You’ll start this healthy paleo holiday candy by toasting your sesame seeds in a dry skillet. I think a cast iron skillet works best for this. Watch your sesame seeds carefully; you don’t want them to get too browned and burn, or your Gang Jeong will have a yucky, bitter taste.
Once toasted, set them aside and add an inch of peeled and minced fresh ginger to the seeds. You’ll come back to this in a few minutes.
You also need to line a baking sheet with parchment paper and have a second piece of parchment paper and a rolling pin ready.
To a small saucepan, add coconut sugar (I use this kind), honey, and salt. Bring this mixture to a boil and boil for two minutes, stirring constantly.
Once boiled, remove from the heat and immediately stir in the toasted sesame seeds and ginger.
Turn it out onto the prepared baking sheet, cover with the second piece of parchment paper, and roll flat — about 1/4″ to 1/2″ thick.
Peel the top piece of parchment off and allow the Paleo Sesame Ginger Candy to cool and harden for about 10 minutes.
Finally, use a sharp knife to cut the Paleo Gang Jeong into squares or rectangles.
Set them out on a platter, take them to a party, munch on them all season long!
You’re going to love this Paleo Sesame Ginger Candy recipe so much! And, don’t forget to purchase a copy of Korean Paleo for yourself and a friend!
Paleo Sesame Ginger Candy -- Paleo Gang Jeong (nut-free, gluten-free, 4 ingredients)
With just 4 ingredients, this Paleo Sesame Ginger Candy (aka Korean Paleo Gang Jeong) is a healthy holiday treat, perfect for any special occasion. Sticky, crunchy, and not too sweet, this traditional Korean confection has had a real food makeover and is grain-free, nut-free, gluten-free, and refined sugar-free!
Ingredients
- 2cupssesame seedsblack or white or both
- 1inchfresh gingerpeeled & minced
- 1/2cupcoconut sugar
- 1/2cuphoney
- 1/4teaspoonsalt
Instructions
Put the sesame seeds in a dry cast iron skillet and toast them, stirring often for about 5 to 7 minutes, until fragrant.
Combine the toasted sesame seeds and minced ginger in a bowl and mix well.
Prepare a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Have another piece of parchment paper of similar size ready as well.
In a small saucepan, combine the coconut sugar, honey, and salt.
Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring constantly.
Once it comes to a full boil, let it boil for 2 minutes, then remove from the heat.
Immediately pour the sesame seeds and ginger into the hot syrup and stir.
Pour and spread this mixture on the parchment-lined baking sheet.
Place the second piece of parchment paper on top of the mixture and use a rolling pin to flatten the candy to an even thickness, about 1/4" to 1/2" thick.
Remove the top piece of parchment paper and allow the candy to cool for 10 minutes.
Use a sharp knife to cut the Gang Jeong into rectangles or squares.
Recipe Notes
Store your Paleo Sesame Ginger Candy in an airtight container.
You can also freeze this candy for up to 3 months.
Pin it!
More Paleo Desserts You’ll Love…
- Paleo Anti-Inflammatory Spice Cookies
- Keto Chocolate Coconut Donuts (nut-free, made with coconut flour)
- 5-Ingredient Sprouted Seed Truffles
- Avocado Lemon Ice Cream
- Keto Fudgy Brownies with a Secret
- Instant Pot Orange Creamsicle Custard Cups
Have you ever made these Korean candies or something similar? Do you love Paleo Korean cuisine?
Such a fun recipe! I love learning something new through you and Jean, because I wouldn’t have known how to approach such a fun recipe! Your photos are wonderful! And thanks, too, for all the great info on seeds!
I love her new cookbook! Your photos of the ones you made a so pretty, makes you wish you could reach through the screen and grab one. Love the ingredients too!
These look incredible!! Thank you so much for sharing. Love these photos so much!!
Of course! So happy to share such a great recipe on here!