HELLO from KOREA

Recipes:
Bulgogi: marinated, grilled beef
Bibimbap: rice mixed with vegetables
Gimbap: rice and vegetables rolled in seaweed
111 _ Holidays and Food
A typical Korean meal includes a bowl of rice, soup, vegetables, and
either fish, dubu (bean curd, also known as tofu) or a little meat, and of
course, kimchi. The better-known dishes like bulgogi are not everyday
fare but are served on special occasions.
Since many of the ingredients that make up a typical meal are hard to
find outside an Asian grocery, we've picked a few dishes that can be
made with things you'd already have on hand. Some of them need a couple
of days of preparation, so plan the meal ahead. Be sure to have an
experienced cook nearby if you're unfamiliar with the terms.
The recipes are readily adaptable to substitutes, and the measurements
are not precise, so read through each recipe completely before starting.
The recipes here serve four moderate appetites.
The seasonings used in almost all Korean dishes are simple and easy to
find: garlic, salt, sugar, green onions, red pepper, vinegar, soy sauce, and
sesame seed oil. Any dish can be improved with a bowl of dipping sauce
on the side. It's easy to make. Just combine one tablespoon of soy sauce
with a combination of finely chopped green onions and garlic, vinegar,
sesame seeds, oil, and red pepper flakes, and mix.
Rice
To make perfect Korean-style rice use the short grained variety, which
is preferred for its fluffy sticky taste. Wash two cups of grains, picking
out stones and dark ends, and rinse. Repeat until the water runs off clear.
Transfer the rice to a heavy pot; stoneware is best, and press flat. Add
enough water so that your hand is submerged when placed on top of the
rice.
With the lid on, let the rice cook on low heat until boiling, then turn the
gas down very low. Simmer covered for ten to fifteen minutes, then turn