Colorful Vegetable Bibimbap
Hearty Barley Rice with Fresh Sautéed Vegetables Bibimbap
Thinking about what to have for lunch today, I decided to make a delicious bibimbap with hearty barley rice and vibrant, fresh vegetables! The mention of barley rice perked up my ears – even though I wanted to relax on this holiday, the thought of barley rice made me sit up straight. Let’s use the fresh vegetables from the fridge to prepare a delightful bibimbap.
Spicy and Sweet Radish Salad Ingredients and Seasoning- 1/3 Korean radish
- 1/2 onion
- 2 Cheongyang peppers
- 1 red bell pepper
- 1/2 green onion
- 2 Tbsp red pepper flakes
- 1 Tbsp minced garlic
- 1 Tbsp sugar
- 1/2 Tbsp corn syrup (oligo syrup)
- 1 Tbsp fish sauce (tuna extract)
- 1/2 Tbsp salt
- 1 Tbsp sesame oil
Refreshing Cucumber Salad Ingredients and Seasoning- 1 cucumber
- 1/4 onion
- 1 Cheongyang pepper
- 1/2 red bell pepper
- A little green onion
- 1 Tbsp red pepper flakes
- 1/2 Tbsp minced garlic
- 1/2 Tbsp sugar
- 1/2 Tbsp corn syrup (oligo syrup)
- 1 Tbsp fish sauce (tuna extract)
- 1 Tbsp sesame oil
- 1 cucumber
- 1/4 onion
- 1 Cheongyang pepper
- 1/2 red bell pepper
- A little green onion
- 1 Tbsp red pepper flakes
- 1/2 Tbsp minced garlic
- 1/2 Tbsp sugar
- 1/2 Tbsp corn syrup (oligo syrup)
- 1 Tbsp fish sauce (tuna extract)
- 1 Tbsp sesame oil
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Today, we’re making a bibimbap packed with fresh vegetables, mixed right before serving! First, let’s prepare the spicy and sweet radish salad. [Radish Salad Ingredients & Seasoning: 1/3 Korean radish, 1/2 onion, 2 Cheongyang peppers, 1 red bell pepper, 1/2 green onion, 2 Tbsp red pepper flakes, 1 Tbsp minced garlic, 1 Tbsp sugar, 1/2 Tbsp corn syrup, 1 Tbsp fish sauce, 1/2 Tbsp salt, 1 Tbsp sesame oil]
Step 2
When making radish salad, it’s best to use the top part of the radish, where the green hue indicates sweetness, making it perfect for a salad. The lower part is better suited for making broth or for braised dishes.
Step 3
Cut the radish in half, then slice it into approximately 0.5cm thick pieces. Afterward, julienne them finely using a knife or a mandoline slicer.
Step 4
The star of today’s dish is the fresh vegetables, so we’ll keep the preparation steps for them concise and straightforward!
Step 5
Add the red pepper flakes to the julienned radish, followed by all the other prepared seasoning ingredients. Mix well until the radish is evenly coated with the vibrant red color.
Step 6
For bibimbap, it’s recommended to mix the radish salad with a bit more force, almost as if you’re lightly mashing it. This helps the flavors meld beautifully and creates a pleasant texture. Don’t worry, it won’t turn into mush with this method!
Step 7
Next, let’s make a refreshing and crisp cucumber salad. [Cucumber Salad Ingredients & Seasoning: 1 cucumber, 1/4 onion, 1 Cheongyang pepper, 1/2 red bell pepper, a bit of green onion, 1 Tbsp red pepper flakes, 1/2 Tbsp minced garlic, 1/2 Tbsp sugar, 1/2 Tbsp corn syrup, 1 Tbsp fish sauce, 1 Tbsp sesame oil]
Step 8
Thinly slice the cucumber. Prepare the onion, peppers, and green onion by slicing them similarly to be mixed in. Then, add all the seasoning ingredients and gently toss to combine.
Step 9
To preserve the cucumber’s crispness, mix this salad lightly with your fingertips, rather than kneading it vigorously. This gentle approach keeps the vegetables fresh and crunchy.
Step 10
Transfer the prepared radish salad and cucumber salad into individual serving bowls, arranging them nicely.
Step 11
Today, I specially prepared hearty barley rice, known for its rustic and satisfying texture. The freshly cooked, warm barley rice will elevate the flavor of the bibimbap.
Step 12
Generously top the warm barley rice with the flavorful radish salad and refreshing cucumber salad. Adding some seasoned perilla leaves (if available) will make it a feast that rivals any meat dish!
Step 13
However, no bibimbap is complete without this! To make it even more perfect, gently place a sunny-side-up fried egg on top to complete the dish.
Step 14
Finally, add a spoonful of spicy gochujang (red chili paste) and a couple of tablespoons of savory sesame oil. Mix everything together well, and behold a magnificent spread that’s as pleasing to the eyes as it is to the palate.
Step 15
In this era where we rely on the energy from rice, seeing freshly cooked warm rice and meticulously prepared fresh vegetable side dishes makes me think, ‘This is true happiness.’ It’s a moment to feel a simple yet profound joy.
Step 16
This past weekend was a pleasantly relaxed one. A rare outing helped melt away accumulated stress. We chatted, laughed, and cried a bit, sharing stories, which lightened my heart. I thought I was the only one struggling, but it seems no one has a life without worries or hardships. Using the chilly weather as an excuse, I feel like snuggling under the covers. ^^ In life, it’s really not that complicated. ^^ Enjoy the simple happiness with warm and delicious food!
