Bibimbap – South Korea

Bibimbap is a popular Korean dish that translates to "mixed rice." It features a bowl of warm rice topped with an array of sautéed vegetables, marinated meat, a fried egg, and gochujang (Korean chili paste). Here’s a classic bibimbap recipe and how to prepare it:

Ingredients:

• For the Rice:

  • 2 cups short-grain rice

  • 2 1/2 cups water

• For the Toppings:

  • 200 g beef (bulgogi or any tender cut), thinly sliced

  • 2 tbsp soy sauce

  • 1 tbsp sesame oil

  • 1 tbsp sugar

  • 2 cloves garlic, minced

  • 2-3 cups assorted vegetables (such as spinach, carrots, zucchini, bean sprouts, and mushrooms)

  • 1-2 eggs

  • Sesame seeds for garnish

  • Gochujang (Korean chili paste) for serving

  • Sesame oil for drizzling

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Rice: Rinse the rice under cold water until the water runs clear. Combine the rice and water in a rice cooker or pot, and cook according to the rice cooker instructions or bring to a boil, then reduce to low heat and cover for about 15 minutes.

2. Marinate the Beef: In a bowl, combine sliced beef, soy sauce, sesame oil, sugar, and minced garlic. Let it marinate for at least 30 minutes.

3. Cook the Vegetables:

   • Spinach: Blanch spinach in boiling water for 1-2 minutes, drain, and squeeze out excess water. Season with a pinch of salt and a drizzle of sesame oil.

   • Carrots and Zucchini: Julienne and sauté separately in a bit of oil until tender. Season lightly with salt.

   • Bean Sprouts: Blanch for 2-3 minutes, drain, and season with salt and sesame oil.

   • Mushrooms: Sauté in oil until cooked through, seasoning with salt.

4. Cook the Beef: In a pan over medium-high heat, cook the marinated beef until browned and cooked through.

5. Fry the Eggs: In a separate pan, fry the eggs sunny-side up or to your liking.

6. Assemble the Bibimbap: In a bowl, place a serving of warm rice at the bottom. Arrange the cooked vegetables and beef on top of the rice. Place the fried egg in the center.

7. Garnish and Serve: Drizzle with sesame oil, sprinkle sesame seeds, and serve with gochujang on the side. Mix everything together before eating.

Enjoy your delicious bibimbap!