bulgogi (불고기) marinade

bulgogi (불고기) marinade

for 1# of thinly sliced sirloin or ribeye (or chunks of chicken thighs/breast or halved button mushrooms)

• 1/3 cup soy sauce
• 1/8 cup sesame oil
• 1/4-1/3 cup honey (to taste)
• 1/4 peeled Korean pear, grated OR 1/4 teaspoon rice vinegar
• 2 tablespoons mirin (rice wine) or white wine, if you have it
• 3 cloves garlic, minced (about 1 tablespoon)
• a few good grinds of freshly ground black pepper (or 1/8 teaspoon pre-ground black pepper)
• 1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds
• 2 tablespoons finely chopped onion
• 1-2 green onions, chopped

combine in a container and marinate meat or mushrooms for anywhere from 30 minutes to 4 hours.

to cook meat: remove meat from marinade and either grill or saute in a skillet in a bit of hot oil until cooked (it will cook very quickly).

to cook mushrooms (or other vegetables): strain out marinade (but save it), toss the mushrooms (plus sliced onions and chiles, if you'd like) in a skillet with hot oil for a 5-8  minutes to sear, then pour in marinade and bring to a boil. cook until marinade thickens and mushrooms are tender.