Recipe: Spicy Korean BBQ Pork (pics)

[PatioDaddio]

Spicy Korean BBQ Pork

As you might expect, I love all kinds of barbecue. I also love Asian food,
but I'd never done any Korean barbecue, so this was a bit new to me. It's
only a bit new because it uses a lot of familiar flavors, but to a different
end.



The Korean name of this dish is Daeji Bulgogi. Bulgogi means "meat fire" and
it's traditionally made with beef. In this case we add daeji, which means
"pork", so we end up with "pork meat fire". Now, in barbecue terms that
that just about all you need to know.

This is a mildly sweet and spicy dish that is served with either lettuce for
wraps, or with steamed rice. It also typically calls for pureed or grated
Asian pear (a natural meat tenderizer), but I came up with a substitute of
applesauce and pineapple juice.

OK, enough with the food anthropology, let's get some pork meat fire
workin'!

Ingredients
2 lb Lean pork (I used sirloin tip)
6 Scallions, quartered widthwise
2 Scallions, chopped to 3/4" (for garnish)
1 large Yellow onion, cut into eight wedges
Toasted sesame seeds
Canola oil spray

Marinade
3/4 cup Pineapple juice
1/2 cup Applesauce (natural)
1/2 cup Soy sauce
1/4 cup Light brown sugar
4 cloves Garlic, minced
3 Tbsp Mirin (or 1 Tbsp honey and 2 Tbsp water mixed)
2 Tbsp Oelek sambal (Thai chili paste)
1 Tbsp Ginger, grated
1 Tbsp Sesame oil
1 Tbsp Fish sauce (optional)

Method
Note: You'll need a grill wok or a wire rack to sit on top of your grill grate.
You can also stir-fry this in a wok or cast iron skillet on the stove top.

To aid in slicing, put the pork in the freezer for about 30-45 minutes.

Combine all of the marinade ingredients in a large bowl and whisk well.

When the pork is partially frozen, slice it across the grain to about a
quarter inch.

Add the pork, onions and quartered scallions to the bowl and stir to
combine.



Cover the bowl and marinate in the refrigerator for 3-6 hours.

Start your grill and prepare for direct cooking at medium-high heat
(350-375º).

While your grill is heating, with a slotted spoon remove the pork, onions
and scallions from the marinade to a platter or baking dish, draining the
excess marinade. Reserve one cup of the marinade.

Spray your grill wok or wire rack well with canola oil spray then set it on
your grill grate and let it preheat for 2-3 minutes.

Grill the pork and veggies in the wok or on the rack direct for about four
minutes per side.

While grilling, bring the reserved cup of marinade to a gentle boil in a sauce
pan over medium heat and let boil for five minutes. This kills the nasties in
the marinade and allows you to use it as a finishing sauce.

Remove the pork and veggies to a platter and drizzle with the cooked
marinade.

Garnish with the sesame seeds and chopped scallions.

Enjoy!

(Makes four servings)

-----
John

[Phesant]

Looks good John, have to add this to the list

[Grillman]

That is most excellent looking.

[Kosmo's Q]

That looks so dang GOOD!

[dutch grillmeister]

sounds great! maybe I will try this recipe.

[Puppyboy]

Looks great!!!

[deguerre]

Thanks again John! Funny thing is except for the pineapple juice and apple sauce I actually have everything on the ingredients list for once.

[deepsouth]

awesomeness.

[J_Don]

That looks awesome as usual. One more recipe to add to the list. Thanks for the post, recipe and pron.

[NeoTrout]

That looks great. Thanks for the recipe.

[chambersuac]

great looking dish. Thanks.

[PatioDaddio]

As always, thanks for the very kind words, guys.

John

[Will work for bbq]

That looks so good, thanks for sharing the recipe.