Korean style dinner tonight Beef Bulgogi

About 12 years ago I got a bulgogi recipe from a Korean lady that I intended to try but didn't until today. I used the Asian pear in the recipe but we thought it needed to be a little sweeter. Next time I will add some sugar as well as pear.  Also next time I am going to marinate it overnight.  This time was for two hours.  I grilled it outside.  The dish covered with plastic wrap in the first picture is Korean style spinach. Second picture shows it.  I was at the Asian Market today and picked up a salad dressing called "red salad dressing" and we tried it on the salad.  It was good. I might add some ginger to it. 

We also had green onion kim che and napa cabbage kim che and rice.

Beef Bulgogi

 In a large bowl, combine 

1.5 lbs fresh beef (thinly sliced, large flat pieces) with 

1t sesame oil, 

3 cloves minced garlic, 

3T soy sauce, 

1T sugar or CARO SYRUP (traditionally, however, you would grind an asian pear     into the marinade--but they mostly use the caro syrup now) and 

1/4 cup white wine, beer, whiskey, soju (Korean liquour) or even Coca Cola as tenderizer. You may also add 

chopped carrot,

 onion, 

green onions 

and/or generous handful toasted sesame seeds, if desired. 

Marinate for at least 15 minutes (I prefer about 2 hours though). Method of cooking is preferential--the best is grilled, but you can also stir-fry. Serve over hot white rice and with leaf lettuce to roll up and eat. As I'm sure you know, be cautious with that sesame oil. It smells great, but if you add too much it really ruins the flavor of the meat. I prefer to go easy on the sesame oil and add the sesame seeds for added flavor. Hope you like it!

SPINACH Korean style      

10 ounces spinach

2 tablespoons soy sauce

2 tablespoons sugar

1 1/2 teaspoons sesame salt

1 tablespoon sesame oil

1 tablespoon scallion minced

1 teaspoon vinegar optional

salt and red pepper optional

Blanch spinach in boiling water until bright green-about 2 minute.  Plunge into cold water.  Squeeze out excess water.  Combing all remaining ingredients and refrigerate up to seveal days.