bulgogi panino ~ kimchi, cheddar, ssamjang mayo

bulgogi panino ~ kimchi, cheddar, ssamjang mayo

bulgogi panino ~ kimchi, cheddar, scallion, ssamjang mayo

Now this is a sandwich. A Korean-Italian sandwich, Bulgogi Panino. Bulgogi (literally “fire-meat”) is grilled marinated beef which is piled on a roll with kimchi, cheddar, scallions, and ssamjang mayo – then pressed and grilled on a panini maker.

The thinly sliced beef is marinated in a soy sauce-brown sugar-sesame-garlic marinade then cooked over fire. Napa cabbage kimchi and sharp cheddar cheese is one of my favorite food combinations. It simply rocks – kimchi’s zingy fermented flavors are balanced by the rich cheese. And ssamjang mayo, nothing like the ubiquitous chipotle mayonnaise, is a bit spicy but has an incredible depth of flavor. Ssamjang is a thick, spicy paste made from combining gochujang (red chili paste) with doenjang (fermented soybean paste) with sesame oil, onion, and garlic.

There is obviously no shortage of flavor going on here…

the bulgogi panino recipe

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Puff au Chocolat avec Fraises, Basilic, Fleur de Sel

puff au chocolat avec fraises, basilic, fleur de sel

Puff au Chocolat avec Fraises, Basilic, Fleur de Sel

Celebrate Cupid’s holiday with Puff au Chocolat!  Heart-shaped, check. Chocolate, check. Strawberries, check. Plus somethings a bit unexpected on Valentine’s Day – basil and salt. But the combination really is stellar. And you’ll have plenty of time to spend with your sweetheart, as this recipe uses store-bought puff pastry and takes only about 20 minutes (active time) to compose.

You might serve some creme fraiche on the side or pair with a glass of sherry. We like Bodega Dios Baco NV Oloroso Sherry from Jerez, Spain which has wonderful aromas of nuts, vanilla and caramel with rich semi-sweet creamy flavors. Oloroso sherries offer a terrific balance between sweet and dry.

xoxo

Puff au Chocolat Recipe

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Griddled Gochujang Chicken Sandwich, “Kimchi” Slaw, Seaweed Mayo

Griddled Gochujang Chicken Sandwich, "Kimchi" Slaw, Seaweed Mayo

Griddled Gochujang Chicken Sandwich, “Kimchi” Slaw, Seaweed Mayo

Our panini maker has uses beyond those delectable yet ubiquitous cheesy Italian sandwiches. Here we are smothering chicken thighs in a spicy gochujang (Korean red chili paste) marinade, then grilling them to charred perfection on the panini maker. Mounds of “kimchi” slaw and a slightly crunchy curiously-addicting seaweed mayonnaise make for an intriguing fusion-style sandwich!

The “kimchi” slaw is not really a kimchi at all, as it is not pickled nor fermented – but it is a crisp slaw with vibrant kimchi flavors such as chili, ginger, and garlic.

The sandwiches are enjoyed with Bek Se Ju, a Korean glutinous rice-based fermented alcoholic beverage infused with ginseng and several other herbs which is especially good with spicy grilled chicken.

Griddled Gochujang Chicken Sandwich Recipe

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Classic Chicago-Style Polish Sausage Sliders

Classic Chicago-Style Polish Sausage Sliders

Classic Chicago-Style Polish Sausage Sliders

A recent trip back to Chicago was the inspiration for these Game Day sliders. Chicago is a food lover’s town! In addition to the classic hot dog/polish sausage found all over the city (try Portillo’s, Superdawg, or Hot Doug’s to name a few) we recommend some of our old favorite Chicago foods – Lou Malnati’s Pizza, Carson’s Ribs, Joe’s Stone Crabs, a delightful Thai restaurant on Granville called Summer.

Chicago hot dog aficionados will go absolutely crazy for these little sliders! Da Bears don’t need to be in the Superbowl to serve these winning Chicago-style bites!

What Makes a Classic Chicago-Style Hot Dog?

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Paella Rice with Baby Octopus & Meyer Lemon

Paella Rice with Baby Octopus & Meyer Lemon

Paella Rice with Baby Octopus & Meyer Lemon
Peas, Fennel, Onion
Lemon Olive Oil, Basil, Black Pepper

“Cooking is a love affair. It’s all about falling in love with your ingredients.”
alain ducasse

Meyer Lemons
Ingredients. Ingredients were the inspiration for this “casserole.” A brown paper bag full of gorgeous Meyer Lemons from my friend Judy’s yard. A Christmas gift of heavenly Lemon Olive Oil from my friend Allison. (Thank you, ladies). A charming cloth bag of arroz tradicional from Spain. And irresistible fresh baby octopus at my local Korean market.

“You can’t cook well without good ingredients. If you don’t treat the ingredient and its flavors with respect, if you drown it in oil, even good olive oil, you spoil it.”
alain ducasse

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