Spring Vegetable Bibimbap
A One-Bowl Meal to Savor the Flavors of Spring
Brighten your family’s meals with this healthy spring vegetable dish, bursting with the essence of the season. Experience the delightful harmony of fresh, aromatic spring greens and savory seasoned ground beef.
Bibimbap Ingredients- Appropriate amount of warm cooked rice
- 150g prepared chwinamul (Korean aster)
- 130g fresh minari (water parsley)
- 150g fresh spring napa cabbage (bomdong)
- 100g fresh sprouts (e.g., radish sprouts)
- A pinch of coarse sea salt (for blanching vegetables)
Spring Vegetable Seasoning- 1 Tbsp minced garlic (approx. 10g)
- 1 Tbsp chopped green onion (approx. 10g)
- 1 Tbsp sesame oil (approx. 15ml)
- 1 tsp crushed toasted sesame seeds (approx. 5g)
- Salt to taste (for seasoning)
Seasoned Ground Beef (Yak Gochujang) Ingredients- 200g ground pork
- 4 Tbsp gochujang (Korean chili paste) (approx. 60g)
- 1 Tbsp minced garlic (approx. 10g)
- 1 Tbsp chopped green onion (approx. 10g)
- 1 Tbsp cooking oil (approx. 15ml)
- 1 Tbsp minced garlic (approx. 10g)
- 1 Tbsp chopped green onion (approx. 10g)
- 1 Tbsp sesame oil (approx. 15ml)
- 1 tsp crushed toasted sesame seeds (approx. 5g)
- Salt to taste (for seasoning)
Seasoned Ground Beef (Yak Gochujang) Ingredients- 200g ground pork
- 4 Tbsp gochujang (Korean chili paste) (approx. 60g)
- 1 Tbsp minced garlic (approx. 10g)
- 1 Tbsp chopped green onion (approx. 10g)
- 1 Tbsp cooking oil (approx. 15ml)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, prepare the chwinamul. Trim away any yellow leaves or tough stems, then wash them thoroughly. Bring a pot of water to a rolling boil and add a pinch of coarse sea salt. Gently blanch the chwinamul for about 30 seconds to 1 minute, just until it turns a vibrant green. Don’t overcook it! Immediately remove the chwinamul from the boiling water and plunge it into cold water to stop the cooking process and preserve its fresh color. Drain well and squeeze out any excess water. Place the blanched chwinamul in a colander to allow any remaining moisture to drip off. (Tip: Adding salt to the blanching water helps maintain the vegetables’ bright, fresh green color.)
Step 2
Once the chwinamul is well-drained, cut it into manageable pieces, about 2-3 cm in length. Place the chopped chwinamul in a mixing bowl. Add 1 Tbsp minced garlic, 1 Tbsp chopped green onion, 1 Tbsp sesame oil, and 1 tsp crushed toasted sesame seeds. Finally, season with salt to your preference. Gently toss and mix the ingredients with your hands until everything is evenly combined and the chwinamul is well-coated with the seasoning. Be careful not to overwork the greens; the goal is to lightly coat them, not mash them.
Step 3
Now, prepare the bomdong (spring napa cabbage) and minari (water parsley) in the same way you seasoned the chwinamul. For the bomdong, separate the leaves from the stems. You can lightly blanch the stems to make them more tender before chopping and seasoning. For the minari, use the tender parts of the stems and leaves. Season both with minced garlic, chopped green onion, sesame oil, crushed sesame seeds, and salt, then gently toss to combine.
Step 4
Let’s make the delicious seasoned ground beef (yak gochujang)! Heat 1 Tbsp of cooking oil in a frying pan over medium-low heat. Add the minced garlic and chopped green onion and sauté until fragrant, being careful not to burn them. Once the aromatics are fragrant, add the ground pork. Break up any clumps and stir-fry until the pork is browned. Now, add 4 Tbsp of gochujang to the pan. Stir everything together and continue to cook for another 2-3 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld and deepen.
Step 5
Assemble your beautiful bibimbap! Place a generous portion of warm cooked rice into a large bowl. Artfully arrange the seasoned chwinamul, minari, and bomdong around the rice in separate sections. Add a nest of fresh sprouts in the center or on top. Finally, spoon a generous amount of the prepared seasoned ground beef over the vegetables. This vibrant and healthy Spring Vegetable Bibimbap is now ready to be enjoyed! For an extra touch, you can add a fried egg, a drizzle of sesame oil, or some crispy seaweed flakes to your liking.
