Sarang hamida Koreans

My Korean neighbors were celebrating something the other day and they invited me to come over for some chat and food. Aside from the traditional kimchi the mistress of the house served what she called Korean Beef. I must admit it was kindda sweet for my taste but the beef was tender, to spicy for my palate. The chopped peanuts and the pear provided the relief and from the cholesterol count too. And today I realized Korean and Japanese food have something in common – mirin  Am I telling you? 

With very little English on her part we were talking more through sign language. Her children are better English speakers than herself. The children really pick up faster than adults. Me thinks Before I left and with the best sign language I can master I politely asked her if she had the recipe for her Korean beef. She was motioning something and from what I made out of it she was promising to hand it to me the next day. Thank you and Good night. The next morning, her help was buzzing, my recipe on her hand and together a large box Korean Ginseng Tea.

And here’s her Korean Beef recipe.

3lb. beef sirloin, sliced thick

Marinade:
1/2 cup sesame seeds, toasted
1 tablespoon fresh ginger, peeled & minced
4 cloves garlic, finely minced
4 scallions, finely chopped
3 tablespoons firmly packed brown sugar
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 teaspoon red chili flakes
1 cup soy sauce 2 tablespoons mirin
2 tablespoons Korean sesame oil

Garnish:
Peanuts, chopped
Asian pear, chopped

The Dipping Sauce

Trim fat from beef and place in a zip-lock bag. In a bowl combine ingredients for the marinade. Mix well and pour into the zip-lock bag with the beef. Toss to coat. Let marinate in the refrigerator for at least 3 hours or overnight. Grill over high heat until well seared, about 1-2 minutes per side. Slice and serve in lettuce cups with chopped peanuts, diced Asian pears and dipping sauce.

Dipping Sauce:
1 clove garlic, minced
1 teaspoon ginger, minced
1 tablespoon scallion, chopped
1 tablespoon sambal oleck ( some kind of chili paste)
1 tablespoon sugar
1 teaspoon Korean sesame oil
1 teaspoon sesame seeds
1 tablespoon mirin
1 cup light soy sauce

Combine all ingredients. Mix well and serve with the beef.

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