Homemade Korean Galbi and Teach on Thursday

Ever since  my big move from Argentina to the United States, and mind you, “big move” is an understatement because it was one of the most life changing experiences in my life, I have grown to love everything that culture has to offer.  Culture is just amazing and one of my deepest passions.  If there were a job titled Culture Lover and Explorer, I would be the first to send in my application.  We’ve all heard it said that California is the melting pot of the U.S., and I couldn’t agree more with that statement.  Though I miss and love Argentina, the fact that good old Cali welcomes an eclectic array of cultures continually entices me and never ceases to amaze me.

While driving around the surrounding cities of L.A., one will easily notice that there is a Thai restaurant next to a Mexican joint which happens to also sell juicy and fatty burgers, all while it is strategically established next to a Korean market or a Korean restaurant.  Ever since the Korean Wave, 한류  pronounced hal-yoo, has invaded all throughout Asia and swept through Europe, it has finally come to make itself known to my fellow Americans (You know Gangnam Style?  Don’t pretend you have no idea what I’m talking about. )  But even before K-pop made its way to the remotest corners of the U.S., food came first.

Much to my surprise, rarely do I come across an individual who dislikes Korean cuisine.  Well, at least not in America.

Lately I’ve been challenging myself to make more cultural dishes that I’m not used to cooking very often:  Melitzanosalata (Greek dip), pita bread which was a fail, and this juicy Korean BBQ dish.  Although we’re known to have a vegetarian friendly diet, a meat dish will almost always find its way onto the dinner table, especially if there is a special occasion to celebrate.

Korean Galbi {Low Sugar}

Most Galbi (or Kalbi) recipes call for a great measure of refined sugar, which makes this dish taste very sweet and full of flavor.  However, I find that an alternative method works best for my healthy eating needs and goals, and the pay-off will be less medical bills for the elderly if you decided to share this dish with them. : )  I love to incorporate natural sugars in my cooking as often as I can, so I decided to marinate the meat in pureed apple (or applesauce)and a tinge of honey.  Not only is this method low-sugar-diet friendly, but it is also a great way to tenderize the meat.  Eating healthy and wholesome food doesn’t need to be dreadful and tasteless!

Makes approximately 2-3 large servings

Ingredients

• 1 lb. beef short rib (I used the one without the bones)*
• 1 medium apple, pureed
• 2 TBSP honey
• 1/4 C soy sauce
• 3 TBSP rice vinegar
• 2 TBSP sesame oil
• 1/2 TBSP sesame seeds
• 1/2 of a large onion, julienned
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• pinch of black pepper

Directions

1. After gathering the necessary ingredients, grab a large deep dish bowl  or ziploc bag for the marinade.  Pour in the soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, and honey.  Mix it well with a whisk.
2. Add the pureed apple (you may also use Asian pear or kiwi), onion, garlic, pepper, and sesame seeds.  Mix some more and put the meat in the bowl or bag.  Make sure to immerse the meat within the marinade.  Refrigerate for at least 3 hours.
3. Get a grill pan (like John Foreman griddle) or a basic skillet and cook the meat along with the onions on medium heat.  Let it caramelize slightly and flip it.  Serve with brown rice, kimchi, and other side dishes.

*Note:  The beef short ribs with the bones in them will be heavier, so more meat will be needed to equal to 1 lb of meat.

Healthy, tasty, and Korean.

‘Teach on Thursday’ Link-Up Challenge

I have never hosted a challenge or link-up party myself.  However, I am constantly discovering so many talents and passions that my fellow bloggers and blog readers possess.  Sometimes they go noticed and sometimes they just fall on the wayside without anyone noticing the hard work they put into their posts.  In a world full of low self esteem and confusion as to what our talents and gifts are, I would love to open up the platform to feature any of you who are willing to share those very gifts!  Even if you’re no expert in the area you choose to “teach” about, as long as you’re an aspiring doer of (fill in the blank), that is more than enough.  However, I don’t want to make this fun opportunity dreadful or super routinely to the point where you FORCE yourself to link-up, as there are a slew of other amazing link-up parties out there like WIAW, MIMM, and so forth.   But if you guys are interested, both readers and bloggers alike, then I am more than willing to start up a TEACH ON THURSDAY CHALLENGE.  Perhaps you can come up with a better title?

What I have in  mind is  pretty simple, I think…  Basically, you would have to share a post of something you want to share and teach about!  Now, it doesn’t have to be a formal lesson, but if you have say, a workout routine (or video) that you love, a recipe how-to (or just simply a recipe), a DIY craft for the home, a web design tip/advice, etc., then you can send it to me and I will feature you all simultaneously on Thursdays.  Hey, it can even be a how-to for gardening or how to style your fashion for less!

My passion is to help others discover their gifts and to show it to the world.  Don’t worry, I’m learning about my own talents as well.  But I guess encouragement is definitely one of them?

I feel somewhat timid to put this out there in all honesty, simply because I don’t know if anyone would be interested or if I’ll be able to keep up without boggling up my mind too much.  But it sounds kind of fun.  Okay, I think it sounds really fun. Hah!

If you don’t own a blog but enjoy reading blogs and teaching others, then you can definitely join in too!  You would just have to write it all out in html format and send it to me.

Well guys, let me know your thoughts in the comments and if enough people are in, I will make it happen.  My email is elliemhkim@gmail.com for future reference.

God bless America on this day.  May He be with the families who struggle through this tragedy everyday. 

 Have you tried Korean BBQ?  What’s your favorite Korean dish?

Is there variety in cuisine where you live?

What about culture intrigues you the most?

Love,

Ellie <33

Tagged as: dates, ethnic cuisine, food, healthy eating