Bonding Over Korean.

"Food is like an international language and it certainly does bring people from different backgrounds and culture together."

My Filipino helper who has been with us for more than two years and myself had a one-to-one bonding session a couple of nights ago while my parents had their own dinner plans. And, since my palate was yearning for Korean, I decided to let my helper rest for the night while I be chef.

For those who read Youarecolor, Korean is my specialty and here is one of the soups that I've cooked for family and friends - Soybean Paste Stew/된장찌게 (other additional ingredients were added to the soup this time round)

What You'll Need:

Ikan Bilis/Dried Anchovies - 1 full bowl

Soybean Paste (Doenjang) - 3 1/2 tbsp

Hot Bean Paste (Gochujang) - 1 tbsp

Potatoes, peeled and cubed - 3

White Onion, diced - 1

Zucchini, cubed - 1

Shiitake Mushrooms - 12

Green Chilli, sliced and deseeded - 2

Soft Tofu - 1 pkt/tube

Spring Onion, cut into lengths - 2 stalk

Method:

1. Bring the water to a boil in a pot and add the Ikan Bilis/Drive Anchovies and boil over high heat for an hour, then remove them from stock.

2. With the stock still boiling, add both the Soybean and Hot Bean Pastes, and stir until they dissolve completely. (Do check if the taste is to your liking before adding all the other ingredients.)

3. Add the Potatoes, Onion, Zucchini, Mushrooms and Green Chili. Reduce heat to medium and simmer for about 20minutes.

4. Add the tofu and spring onion (when about to eat) for a minute and remove from heat, ready to be served.

Serving: 7 - 9 persons

Preparation time: 15minutes

Cooking time:  1hour (stock) + 25minutes

Korean Pan-Fried Zucchini/호박전 is an extremely easy yet delicious side dish that my friends and family love it so much.

  

What You'll Need:

Zucchini, sliced - 1

Plain Flour - half a bowl or less (depending on size of bowl, enough to cover the zucchini slices)

Egg - 1 or 2

Method:

1. Beat the Egg(s) lightly.

2. Heat frying pan at medium-low heat.

3. Coat the sliced Zucchini pieces into the bowl of Plain Flour, and then into the lightly beaten Egg(s) before frying them about 5 slices at a time.

Serving: 6 - 7 persons

Preparation time: 5 mins

Cooking time: 15mins

Korean Egg Roll/계란말이, another really quick, easy and delicious side dish to do. Got the recipe and steps from this link - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nwrl2elJ7xs. They even did heart shaped ones which I think is perfect for love bentos :)