Steamed Beef and Vegetables: A Healthy Recipe with Ponzu Sauce
Steamed Beef and Vegetable Rolls (Inspired by ‘Hyonbake-jjim’), Homemade Ponzu Sauce Recipe, Nutritious Diet-Friendly Meal for Family Health
Today, I’m introducing ‘Steamed Beef and Vegetables,’ a dish that’s not only fantastic for a diet but also a healthy meal for your whole family. It’s similar to the well-known ‘Hyonbake-jjim’ (steamed in cypress boxes), but you can easily make it at home using your regular pot or steamer. This dish is packed with beef and a variety of vegetables, providing great satiety and incredible nutritional benefits. It’s also a great way to use up leftover vegetables from your fridge!
Main Ingredients
- Beef 600g (thinly sliced for bulgogi or shabu-shabu recommended)
- Napa cabbage (head lettuce variety) 6 leaves
- Bean sprouts 300g
- Perilla leaves 12 leaves
- Shiitake mushrooms 6 ea
Refreshing Ponzu Sauce
- Soy sauce 3 Tbsp
- Water 3 Tbsp
- Vinegar 2 Tbsp
- Lemon juice 1 Tbsp
- Allulose 1 Tbsp (or other sweetener)
- Prepared mustard to taste
- Soy sauce 3 Tbsp
- Water 3 Tbsp
- Vinegar 2 Tbsp
- Lemon juice 1 Tbsp
- Allulose 1 Tbsp (or other sweetener)
- Prepared mustard to taste
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, wash the bean sprouts thoroughly under running water and drain them in a colander. Remove any unhusked green beans for a cleaner appearance. If your perilla leaves are very large, you can cut them in half; otherwise, leave them whole. Chop the napa cabbage into bite-sized pieces and thinly slice the shiitake mushrooms after removing their stems.
Step 2
I used thinly sliced beef meant for bulgogi for this recipe. While I originally bought it for bulgogi stew or shabu-shabu, it’s now transformed into a healthy meal! For a diet-focused meal, I recommend using thinly sliced top round (udeng-sal). However, if you don’t want to compromise on flavor, bulgogi-cut or shabu-shabu beef is a great choice. Please avoid fatty cuts like beef brisket (usambyeok) or beef short plate (chadolbagi). If you’re trying to lose weight, opt for leaner cuts. Lean pork, duck, or chicken can also be excellent substitutes for beef.
Step 3
Now, it’s time to layer the ingredients in your steamer. Start with a layer of bean sprouts, followed by beef, then napa cabbage, more beef, and finally top with perilla leaves and shiitake mushrooms. If arranging them neatly seems challenging, don’t worry too much about the perfect order. For a more aesthetically pleasing presentation, you can place the vegetables on the thinly sliced beef and roll them up.
Step 4
Fill your steamer pot with water and add a splash of leftover cooking wine (optional) to help eliminate any unwanted odors as it steams. Once the water is boiling and steam is rising, place your filled steamer basket inside. Steam for about 10 minutes, or until the beef is cooked through. The cooking time may vary depending on the amount of beef used. Remember that the vegetables can be eaten raw and will also cook slightly from the residual heat, so avoid overcooking them to maintain a pleasant crispness.
Step 5
Carefully remove the steamed beef and vegetables from the steamer and arrange them on a serving plate. Now, let’s prepare the vibrant and delicious ponzu sauce. Combine the soy sauce, water, vinegar, lemon juice, and allulose in a small bowl and mix well. It’s best to keep the prepared mustard separate so individuals can add it according to their preference. If you don’t have lemon juice, you can increase the amount of vinegar slightly. For an extra touch of sweet and sour flavor, a bit of plum extract (maesil-cheong) or preserved citron or lemon peel can be added. For sweetness, allulose, stevia, or unrefined cane sugar are good options, but you can also use corn syrup, honey, or xylose sugar if those aren’t available.
Step 6
Since the vegetables will wilt significantly during steaming, be generous and use plenty of them! The more vegetables you add, the tastier and healthier your dish will be.
Step 7
Wrap the tender steamed beef and vegetables in a perilla leaf and dip into the ponzu sauce – the taste is simply exquisite! The savory beef, fresh vegetables, and the bright, tangy ponzu sauce create a delightful harmony of flavors that is both satisfying and refreshing. Even without a broth, it feels like enjoying shabu-shabu. This steamed beef and vegetable dish is not only ideal for a diet but also a wonderful special meal for the entire family’s health. If you’ve had a heavy meal the day before, consider making this healthy dish today to nourish yourself and your loved ones.
