Check Out My Grill while I Wrap

Okay, so I may have fibbed earlier. I am in fact once again writing about a Korean recipe. I know I promised that the next recipe it would not be Korean, but it could not be helped. However, before I go any further into the details of the my latest cooking venture, I feel I should at least explain why there is such a prevalence of Korean food recipes in this blog.

The thing is, I LOVE Korean food. I was exposed to it through my father, who got hooked on it himself during his business travels to Asia. He decided to share this culinary treat with my mother and I by taking us to a Korean restaurant near our home. We both enjoyed it so much that it became a habitual outing. So now after going with my parents to a Korean restaurant once a week for the last few years, I have became completely and utterly hooked.

So why am I blogging about cooking Korean food if I go to eat it once a week? Well, here is where the problem comes in. I recently moved to a city in which I cannot find a good authentic Korean restaurant. I am essentially in withdrawal and am therefore attempting to satisfy my cravings by learning to cook it myself.

I will also be posting about non-Korean food soon. I tried a good Scottish cauliflower and cheddar cheese soup recently as well as a simple and delicious German bratwurst. I, however, failed to take pictures of these two endeavors. I will therefore have to make them again and document it (Which really is not a chore at all considering just how yummy both were). Keep an eye out for them in the near future. In the meantime, please pardon my obsession.

Today’s recipe of the day is Korean Grilled Beef. Now, there are some gadgets I used that everyone may not own or have handy around the house. In fact, I borrowed my parents’ tabletop grill that they purchased in a Korean market (can you see how the obsession runs in the family?). It is a really fun gadget and if you can find one, I recommend it. It’s a fun way to have dinner with your family or friends. You can cook together while you eat, drink, and are merry.

Now, while this meal is a simple one to make, you do have to prepare several different portions: the grilled beef, the Spicy hot pepper dipping sauce, the seasoned green onion salad, and some vegetables to munch on while you grill.

The beef is quick and easy to prepare. Buy steak, such as a Rib eye and cut it into approximately 1 inch square pieces. Place these pieces in a small bowl and combine them with salt, pepper, and sesame oil. Make sure you mix them well. This can be done a few minutes before you grill (no need to marinade). Then, before you place your seasoned meet on the grill, get the rest of the portions ready.

Now you will also need to prepare the lettuce for the lettuce wraps. This is really simple (and you could even have your friends or family members who are not so handy in the kitchen help with this). Simply, remove each individual piece of lettuce from the head of lettuce and rinse under water. Then, place it on a paper towel and pat dry. You can arrange all the individual whole leaves of lettuce in a bowl for easy access.

In order to make the Hot Pepper Dipping Sauce combine hot pepper paste, bean paste, sugar, chopped garlic, one chopped green onion, and sesame oil in a small bowl. Really, it is about as easy as possible to do. Plus, It is really tasty, especially if you like spicy! We could not stop eating it. Chop up some vegetables such as carrots and cucumbers to dip in this sauce. Cucumber goes especially well with this. Be warned though, it is highly addictive.

Next, comes the Seasoned Green Onion Salad. Slice the green onions into thinner lengthwise portions and then chop again into smaller pieces. Place these pieces into a strainer and rinse with running water. Be sure to drain before placing them in a medium size bowl. Once the green onions are dry and in a bowl, add soy sauce, hot pepper powder, sugar, sesame seeds, and sesame oil. The very last step is to mix it well.

Now you are ready for the grill! Placed all the various bowls on the table while warming up the grill.

Once the grill is hot, place the meat and some peeled garlic cloves on the grill top. When the meat is cooked, grab a piece of lettuce and place the meet, garlic, green onion salad, and some of the dipping sauce in the center of the lettuce leave and wrap it up!

Well, that’s pretty much it. I highly recommend this easy, delicious dish you eat with your hands. It is quickly becoming a family favorite. Especially since you sit around the grill placed on the table and make the wraps together. Fun and tasty!

(Need more details on how to make this? check out this great site: http://www.maangchi.com/recipe/grilled-beef).