Korean kimchi stew with pork (kimchi jigae) 

This is a dish from my childhood.  Using a large Dutch oven, heat some neutral oil and then saute bite-size pieces of pork (here, 1.5 lb boneless pork loin).  When browned, add 1 onion, roughly chopped, andabout 3-4 cups of kimchi (here, a mix of radish and cabbage).  Mix well, then add water - enough to… Continue reading Korean kimchi stew with pork (kimchi jigae) 

Shanghai Lion’s Head (Chinese pork meatballs with bok choy)

Combine the following:  1 ¼ lb minced pork, 2 chopped scallions, 1 minced garlic clove, 30 water chestnuts (diced), 1 tsp microplaned ginger, 1 Tbsp each soy sauce and cooking sherry, and 1 large egg (beaten).  Slowly add enough cornstarch, 1 Tbsp at a time (and up to 3 Tbsp) to bind the meatball mixture.… Continue reading Shanghai Lion’s Head (Chinese pork meatballs with bok choy)

Chinese stir-fried snow pea shoots 

Heat neutral oil in a wok, then add sliced garlic (about 10 cloves).  When fragrant, add about 2 lbs of fresh snow pea shoots (they will reduce volume when cooked).  Season lightly with salt, black pepper, and crushed red pepper, and sauté on medium-high heat until the shoots are tender.  Serve immediately.  Thank you to my friend Amy… Continue reading Chinese stir-fried snow pea shoots 

Chinese bean thread noodles with enoki mushrooms 

I love enoki mushrooms, and when I saw them at H-Mart this weekend, I decided to make this dish.  Once you prep all of the ingredients, the cooking time is quite short. Soak 2 oz dried black mushrooms in warm water; when soft, drain and cut into slices.  Separately, take a package (about 14 oz)… Continue reading Chinese bean thread noodles with enoki mushrooms 

Korean steamed ginger infused grouper with zucchini ribbon salad

I saw this on Judy Joo’s new Cooking Channel program, Korean Food Made Simple, and found it on her blog.  We couldn’t find sea bass, so we tried grouper (but I had to remove the skin due to scales).  The recipe is here:  http://www.judyjoo.com/2014/05/06/korean-food-made-simple-weekly-chew-steamed-ginger-infused-sea-bass-with-zucchini (May 2014)

Korean-style rice ball (joo muk bap)  

Inspired by my cousin Nam’s photo of a snack she recently enjoyed, I tried my hand at making joo muk bap (literally, fist rice because it is made by hand) withingredients I had in my pantry.  Spread 2 cups cooked short-grain rice in a wide plate (I used an 8x8 baking dish), then season lightly with salt, Japanese… Continue reading Korean-style rice ball (joo muk bap)