Karin's version of Bulgogi - Korean Marinated Barbequed Beef

The weekend of Chinese New Year! Happy early Chinese New Year! :) So I am excited because I have Monday off. I decided to take that day off so I can have a 3-day weekend. Feels great as it is snowing outside right now and I wake up having the urge to cook, bake or clean but decided to make something to eat so I can have energy to clean later ;)

What did I decide to make? I decided to make my own version of Korean Marinated Beef. It is also called Bulgogi in the Korean language. This dish tastes amazing; my sisters told me to make more. The marinade is made with everything we use on a daily basis (soy sauce, sesame oil, garlic, sugar, hot sauce). With these simple combinations, it will create a flavor you will not forget! And it is excellent with rice!

Bulgogi was actually listed at number 23 on World's 50 most delicious foods readers' poll complied by CNN Go in 2011. It literally means "fire meat". Bulgogi is traditionally grilled but nowadays, a lot of people also pan-cook (which is exactly what I did).

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Perfect meal for your family.

2 TBSP of sesame seeds (this is before heating up in frying pan)

Heat sesame seeds in frying pan for about 3 minutes

1 box of 8 oz button mushrooms. Wash well and slice into pieces. When cooking the mushrooms, it will release water in heat and salt. The water from the mushrooms will be mixed with the marinade and will be great to pour over your rice. You'll love it!

Marinate beef, onions, carrots, garlic, soy sauce, sesame oil, sugar, salt, black pepper, and red pepper paste (or siracha or any hot sauce) for about 2 hours.

Inside of bag.

Frying in pan

With the toasted sesame seeds, serve!

Over rice! Yum!

RECIPE
Serving: about 4

1 lb beef (slice as thin as possible)
1 onion, sliced
1/2 a carrot, sliced
some scallions
1 8oz box of white button mushrooms, sliced
3-5 cloves garlic, minced
2 TBSP sesame seeds, toasted
3 TBSP soy sauce
2 TBSP sesame oil
2 TBSP sugar
1 tsp red pepper paste (or siracha or any hot sauce)
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper

In a large Ziploc bag, mix the sliced beef, onion, carrot, garlic cloves, soy sauce, sesame oil, sugar, hot sauce, salt, and black pepper. Seal the bag and shake well, making sure that the marinade is mixed thoroughly on the beef. Use your hand to make sure each piece of meat is coated. (Don't be afraid to get your hands dirty!) Refrigerate in the fridge for at least 2 hours.

Slice the white button mushrooms. Toast the sesame seeds for about 3 minutes on a frying pan, shaking the pan constantly. Turn the fire off when you see some browning and the seeds become fragrant.

Heat oil in high heat and pour everything from the Ziploc bag into the cooking pan. Make sure heat is on high. After about 3 minutes, add in the sliced button mushrooms. Cook for about 4 more minutes. The mushrooms will release water. Cook till the beef is ready. Do not over cook beef as it will get hard. Add the sesame seeds and scallions towards the end. Mix thoroughly and serve! :)

Anyways, this is so random but while typing this, my sister is watching Dr. Oz show and we just found out that, watermelon rinds are actually good for your heart! 

"Juicy watermelon rinds offer a high dose of cirulline amino acid – which helps dilate blood vessels, improving blood circulation. The easiest way to take advantage of watermelon rind health benefits is to blend a whole piece of watermelon with lime. If you’re in the mood for something with a little kick, add some gin or vodka to make it a heart-healthy cocktail." I will not be throwing them out anymore!