Cast Iron Pot Bibimbap with Various Namul
#CastIronBibimbap #NamulBibimbap #StonePotBibimbap #BeginnerCooking #HomeCooking
Introducing a Cast Iron Pot Bibimbap recipe that will make your meal extraordinary on any occasion. The intense heat from the cast iron pot creates a delicious crispy rice base (nurungji), topped with a generous amount of fresh seasoned vegetables (namul) and stir-fried ingredients. The combination is simply exquisite, offering a rich and enjoyable dining experience, akin to savoring a feast. From seasoning the cast iron pot to the final delightful bibimbap, follow these steps carefully! A base of freshly cooked warm rice is layered, then adorned with colorful namul, savory egg garnish, and a dollop of spicy-sweet gochujang, all sizzling and melding together on the cast iron pot. You can enjoy a magnificent meal right at home.
Main Ingredients- Taro stem namul, appropriate amount (prepared)
- Dried radish greens namul, appropriate amount (seasoned with soybean paste)
- Stir-fried zucchini, appropriate amount
- Stir-fried carrot, appropriate amount
- Seasoned Korean Angelica Tree (Chwinamul) leaves, appropriate amount
- Egg garnish, appropriate amount
- Cooked rice, 2 bowls
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Wash the cast iron pot clean and dry it thoroughly. Gently heat it over low heat. Coat the entire surface of the pot evenly with cooking oil or perilla oil. Ensuring the oil reaches the edges will prevent food from sticking and help maintain the pot for longer use. This process is called ‘seasoning the cast iron pot’ and should be done initially and after washing. If you washed it with neutral detergent or baking soda, dry it completely on high heat, then oil it again, and heat it to evaporate the oil. This ensures it functions well without sticking.
Step 2
Spread the warm cooked rice thinly over the well-seasoned cast iron pot. Similar to a stone pot bibimbap, spreading the rice thinly allows the bottom layer to crisp up into delicious nurungji (scorched rice) from the pot’s intense heat.
Step 3
Arrange the separately prepared stir-fried zucchini and stir-fried carrots attractively on the cast iron pot. It’s best to season these vegetables simply with salt to highlight their natural flavors. For the egg garnish, whisk eggs with a pinch of salt, cook into a thin omelet, then roll it up and slice thinly into strips.
Step 4
Prepare the dried radish greens namul, which has been boiled and seasoned with soybean paste, and the taro stem namul, boiled and seasoned. Seasoning these lightly is key to preserving their natural taste.
Step 5
Briefly blanch fresh Chwinamul leaves, then lightly season with sesame oil, minced garlic, and salt. If your sister prepared it, it surely carries extra warmth! These pre-prepared namul dishes are then ready to be served alongside.
Step 6
Now, on top of the rice already spread in the cast iron pot, arrange the prepared taro stem namul, dried radish greens namul, stir-fried zucchini, stir-fried carrot, Chwinamul, and egg garnish in a visually appealing, colorful pattern. Although the vibrant colors are appetizing, everything will be mixed together in the end!
Step 7
Place 1 Tbsp of gochujang in the center or along the edge of the cast iron pot, and drizzle 1 tsp of sesame oil over it. Heat gently over medium heat, allowing the gochujang to slightly caramelize and release its fragrant aroma.
Step 8
When you start to hear a gentle ‘sizzling’ or ‘crackling’ sound, indicating the rice is starting to crisp at the bottom, use a spoon to mix all the ingredients thoroughly. You can create your desired shape as you mix, making it more fun. Keep the gas stove on medium heat. You could even try shaping it into a lovely heart!
Step 9
Once all ingredients are well mixed, sprinkle a generous amount of crumbled seaweed (gim) for added flavor. Turn off the heat after adding the seaweed.
Step 10
Finally, sprinkle toasted sesame seeds generously. Your Cast Iron Pot Bibimbap, boasting both delicious taste and beautiful presentation, is now complete! The cast iron pot retains heat for a long time, ensuring every bite remains warm and delightful until the very end. Enjoy a hearty and healthy meal with this flavorful namul bibimbap!
