Spicy Braised Tofu
Korean Barbecue is a communal meal. All the items are laid out on the table with a portable grill in the middle. The meal consists of lots of small side dishes.Ingredients
Serves 4-6
1 x 16 oz (500 g) block medium tofu
1 to 2 tbsp (15 to 30 ml) vegetable oil
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 small onion, finely chopped
1 tsp (5 ml) soy sauce
2 tsp (10 ml) sugar
1 tsp (5 ml) gochujang (Korean chili paste)
2 tsp (10 ml) gochugaru (Korean chili powder)
1 pinch salt, or to taste
½ cup (125 ml) water
1 tsp (5 ml) toasted sesame oil
2 tsp (10 ml) toasted sesame seeds
green onion, sliced, for garnish
Instructions
- Slice tofu block into 1-in (2.5 cm) thick slices. Then cut each slice in half so you have 2 squares. Then cut each square in half on the diagonal into triangles. Line a sheet pan with triple layer of paper towel. Place tofu in a single layer on paper towel and cover with 3 more layers of paper towel. Lay another sheet pan on top of paper towel to lightly press tofu. Let sit for 10 minutes.
- In a large non-stick skillet, heat oil over medium heat. Fry tofu in batches until golden brown, turning halfway through, about 3 minutes per side. Set fried tofu aside on paper towel to absorb excess oil.
- With remaining oil, sweat garlic and onion in skillet. Add soy sauce, sugar, gochujang, gochugaru, salt and water to combine, and add back tofu. Simmer, covered, over low heat for 10 minutes.
- Add sesame oil and sesame seeds. Stir to combine. Garnish with sliced green onion and serve warm.
Drink Pairings
Sesame Bean Sprouts
Korean Barbecue is a communal meal. All the items are laid out on the table with a portable grill in the middle. The meal consists of lots of small side dishes.Ingredients
Serves 4-6
1 lb (454 g) mung bean sprouts or regular bean sprouts
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 tbsp (15 ml) fish sauce
1 tbsp (15 ml) toasted sesame oil
2 tsp (10 ml) toasted sesame seeds, lightly crushed
2 green onions, finely sliced
salt, to taste
Instructions
- In a medium to large saucepan, bring salted water to a boil and blanch sprouts.
- Drain and shock sprouts in ice water, then let drain for 10 to 15 minutes, or until all excess water is gone.
- In a medium mixing bowl, mix together remaining ingredients. Add drained sprouts and mix well. Check for seasoning and add more salt if needed. Serve chilled.
Drink Pairings
Soy-Glazed Potatoes (Gamja Bokkeum)
Korean Barbecue is a communal meal. All the items are laid out on the table with a portable grill in the middle. The meal consists of lots of small side dishes.Ingredients
Serves 4-6
3 tbsp (45 ml) vegetable oil
1 lb (500 g) yellow potatoes, peeled and cut into 2-in (5 cm) pieces
1 medium carrot, peeled and cut into 2-in (5 cm) pieces
1 small yellow onion, peeled and cut into 2-in (5 cm) pieces
1 Korean chili pepper or 2 serrano peppers, cut into 2-in (5 cm) pieces
1 garlic clove, minced
2 tbsp (30 ml) soy sauce
1 tbsp (15 ml) sugar
½ tsp (2.5 ml) salt
1 tbsp (15 ml) mirin
½ cup (125 ml) water
toasted sesame seeds, for garnish
Instructions
- In a large saucepan with a lid (preferably non-stick), heat oil over medium heat. Add potatoes and fry for 5 minutes, turning occasionally.
- Add carrots and fry another 2 minutes, turning occasionally.
- Add onion, pepper and garlic and fry another 2 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Add soy sauce, sugar, salt, mirin and ½ cup (125 ml) water. Cover and cook for 8 to 10 minutes, or until potatoes are tender but not falling apart, adding more water while cooking if needed. Once potatoes are tender, remove lid and reduce liquid until it just coats potatoes. Serve at room temperature and garnish with sesame seeds.
Drink Pairings
Potato Rosettes
A delicious menu idea for your Thanksgiving table.Ingredients
Serves 12 rosettes
3 lbs (1.5 kg) Yukon Gold potatoes, or any yellow potatoes
2 tsp (10 ml) salt
¼ cup (60 ml) olive oil
¼ cup (60 ml) butter, melted
1 tbsp (15 ml) fresh rosemary leaves, chopped or 1 tsp (5 ml) dried rosemary leaves, crushed
¼ tsp (1 ml) cayenne pepper
½ tsp (2.5 ml) freshly ground black pepper
½ cup (125 ml) finely shredded Parmesan
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400 F (200 F).
- Using a mandoline, slice potatoes into ⅛-in (0.25 cm) thickness and place in a large bowl. Toss with salt.
- In a small bowl, mix olive oil, butter, rosemary, cayenne and ground pepper. Pour over potatoes and mix thoroughly to coat.
- Add Parmesan, ¼ cup (60 ml) at a time, and mix well after each addition.
- On a clean surface, stagger 6 to 7 potato slices in a single row. Roll first potato slice and continue rolling to form a rose*. Place in a greased muffin pan and bake until edges of potato rosettes start to turn golden in colour, about 30 to 40 minutes. Test for doneness by inserting a toothpick into centre of rosette. It should pierce easily. If not, cover with foil and continue cooking, another 10 to 15 minutes.
- *Cut about ¼-in (0.25 cm) off 1 end of potato roll. Place cut-end down to serve as a base for the rose and place it in the muffin pan. Loosely flare out outer potato “petals” to resemble a rose. Bake according to recipe.
- Let cool for 5 minutes in muffin pan and then, with a spoon, gently scoop out rosettes to serving plate.
Drink Pairings
Vegetable Parcels
A delicious menu idea for your Thanksgiving table. Sure to please your vegetarian and non-vegetarian guests alike, these delicious Vegetable Parcels are individual takes on a Vegetarian Wellington.Ingredients
Serves 8 parcels
4 cups (1 L) butternut squash, cut into ¾-in (2 cm) cubes
½ cup (125 ml) olive oil, divided
½ tsp (2.5 ml) salt
¼ tsp (1 ml) freshly ground black pepper
¼ cup (60 ml) butter
1 cup (250 ml) chopped onions
2 garlic cloves, crushed
4 cup (1 L) portobello mushrooms, cut into ½-in (1.25 cm) cubes
1 tbsp (15 ml) chopped sage leaves
½ tbsp (7 ml) fresh thyme leaves (or 1 tsp (5 ml) dried thyme leaves)
1½ tbsp (22 ml) apple cider vinegar
2 packages frozen puff pastry, about 400 g (14 oz) each, thawed
2 tsp (10 ml) prepared mustard, divided
2 cups (500 ml) shredded Monterey Jack or Edam cheese
1 egg, for egg wash
2 tbsp (30 ml) water, for egg wash
Instructions
- Position baking rack in upper third of oven and preheat to 400 F (200 C). Line a large baking sheet with crumpled foil.
- In a large bowl, toss cubed butternut squash with ¼ cup (60 ml) olive oil and salt and pepper, to taste. Spread evenly on lined baking sheet in single layer and roast until edges start to turn brown, about 30 minutes. Remove from oven and set aside.
- In a large skillet, over medium heat, melt butter and continue cooking until it stops foaming and butter turns slightly darker in colour with a nutty aroma, making sure not to burn butter. Add remaining ¼ cup (60 ml) olive oil and fry onions until translucent.
- Add garlic and mushrooms and continue cooking until mushrooms soften, about 3 to 4 minutes. Add roasted butternut squash, sage and thyme and stir well.
- Turn up heat to high and stir constantly to allow moisture to evaporate. Drizzle apple cider vinegar and stir. Cover and remove from heat. Set aside.
- On a clean surface, roll puff pastry to about ⅛-in (0.25 cm) thickness and cut eight 6-in (15 cm) squares. Reserve any extra pastry for decoration.
- Brush ¼ tsp (1 ml) mustard in centre of each pastry square. Spoon ⅛ of butternut squash filling over mustard to cover approximately 3-in (8 cm) diameter in centre. Top with ¼ cup (60 ml) shredded cheese. Dampen 4 corners of pastry square. Folding each corner to centre, pinch all 4 corners together. Repeat with remaining 7 pastry squares.
- Using star-shaped cookie cutter, use extra pastry to create stars, if desired, and gently press them over pinched centre of each pastry pocket.
- Refrigerate parcels at least 30 minutes or up to 1 day.
- When ready to use, preheat oven to 400 F (200 C).
- In a small bowl, whisk together egg and water. When ready to bake, remove parcels from refrigerator and lightly brush egg wash over chilled pastry surface. Discard remaining egg wash.
- Bake until golden, about 20 to 25 minutes. Allow to rest 5 minutes before serving.
Drink Pairings
Roasted Beets with Goat’s Cheese & Pine Nuts
A delicious menu idea for your Thanksgiving table.Ingredients
Serves 8
3 red beets, peeled, cut into 6 wedges
¼ cup (60 ml) olive oil, divided
salt and pepper, to taste
3 golden beets, peeled, cut into 6 wedges
1 tbsp (15 ml) chopped fresh parsley
1 tbsp (15 ml) chopped fresh mint
1 cup (250 ml) crumbled goat’s cheese
¼ cup (60 ml) pine nuts, lightly toasted
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400 F (200 C).
- In a large bowl, toss red beets with 2 tbsp (30 ml) olive oil, salt and pepper to taste. Spread red beets in large shallow roasting pan or baking sheet lined with foil and roast for 30 minutes. Repeat process with golden beets. Beets can be prepared and refrigerated separately up to 1 day in advance. When ready to serve, reheat separately.
- In large serving bowl, mix both beets along with chopped herbs. Top with crumbled goat’s cheese and pine nuts before serving.
Drink Pairings
Roasted Brussels Sprouts With Sweet 'N' Spicy Pecans
A delicious menu idea for your Thanksgiving table.Ingredients
Serves 8
20 Brussels sprouts, halved
¼ cup (60 ml) olive oil
salt and pepper, to taste
1 tbsp (15 ml) nutritional yeast
½ cup (125 ml) maple syrup
¼ tsp (1 ml) cayenne pepper
⅛ tsp (0.5 ml) salt
½ cup (125 ml) chopped pecans
Instructions
- To make Sweet 'N' Spicy Pecans, Preheat oven to 350 F (180 C) and adjust rack to upper third of oven. In a large bowl, combine maple syrup, cayenne and salt. Toss in pecans. Spread pecan mixture on baking sheet and bake for 10 minutes. Remove from oven and carefully stir pecans to coat with caramelized maple. Set aside to cool completely. Using a spatula, scrape up pecans when cooled and store in an airtight container in a cool dark place for up to 1 week.
- Preheat oven to 400 F (200 C).
- In a large bowl, toss Brussels sprouts with olive oil, salt and pepper, to coat.
- Spread on a baking sheet or shallow baking dish cut-side down in single layer. Bake until tops of Brussels sprouts start to turn golden brown, about 20 to 25 minutes. Remove from oven and sprinkle with nutritional yeast. Transfer to serving bowl.
- Top with Sweet 'n' Spicy Pecans.
Drink Pairings
KIMCHI POTATO SALAD
Ingredients
Serves 6
¼ cup (60 ml) dark brown sugar
¼ cup (60 ml) fresh lime juice
¼ cup (60 ml) fish sauce
¼ cup (60 ml) water
¼ cup (60 ml) dry white wine
1 garlic clove, minced
2 red Thai chilies, minced, with or without seeds
1 ½ cups (375 ml) kimchi, homemade or store-bought, divided
1½ lbs (750 g) sweet potato scrubbed, cut into ¾-in (2 cm) chunks
1½ lbs (750 g) small new potatoes, halved
1½ cups (375 ml) celery chopped crosswise into ¼-in (0.5 cm) crescents
½ cup (125 ml) diced red onion
½ cup (125 ml) chopped fresh cilantro leaves and tender stems
Instructions
- To make dressing, in a blender, mix brown sugar, lime juice, fish sauce, ¼ cup (60 ml) water, wine, garlic and chilies until sugar has dissolved. Add ½ cup (125 ml) kimchi and blend until well combined and smooth. Transfer to a large bowl. Roughly chop remaining 1 cup (250 ml) kimchi and stir into dressing. Set aside.
- To prepare potatoes, set a steamer basket over a large saucepan filled with just enough water to touch bottom of basket. Add potatoes, cover and bring to a hard simmer over medium-high heat. Cook until potatoes are tender when pierced with a fork, about 15 to 20 minutes. Transfer potatoes in a single layer to a baking tray and let cool for at least 5 minutes. Alternatively, if you don’t have a steamer basket, place potatoes in a large saucepan, add cold water to cover and bring to a boil over high heat. Cook until tender when pierced with a fork, about 20 to 30 minutes. Drain and transfer in a single layer to a baking tray and let cool for at least 5 minutes.
- To large bowl with dressing add celery, onion, cilantro and mix well. Add potatoes and gently fold into dressing to coat. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour or until you are ready to enjoy. Potato salad will keep refrigerated for up to 3 days.
Drink Pairings
BARBECUED PINEAPPLE & CHICKEN NACHOS
Ingredients
Serves 4-6
1-in (2.5 cm) fresh ginger, peeled and chopped
2 cups (500 ml) pineapple juice
½ cup (125 ml) low sodium soy sauce
¼ cup (60 ml) granulated sugar
1/3 cup (75 ml) apple cider vinegar
1 tbsp (15 ml) toasted sesame oil
1 lb (500 g) boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts
1 tsp (5 ml) kosher salt
½ medium pineapple, skin removed, cored and cut into ½-in (1.25 cm) rings
2 fresh jalapeños, divided
1 tbsp (15 ml) grapeseed oil
1 x 12 oz (340 g) bag tortilla chips
2 cups (500 ml) shredded jack cheese
1 large tomato, diced
½ medium red onion, diced
1 avocado, peeled, pitted and diced
2 radishes, thinly sliced into rounds, for garnish
¼ cup (60 ml) fresh cilantro leaves, for garnish
1 lime, cut into wedges, to serve
Instructions
- To make marinade, in a large bowl, whisk together ginger, pineapple juice, soy sauce, sugar, vinegar and sesame oil. Whisk until sugar is dissolved and marinade is well incorporated. Set aside.
- Using paper towels, thoroughly pat chicken dry. Place chicken in a single layer on a cutting board and pound to an even thickness of about ½-in (1.25 cm). With a fork, pierce chicken throughout before lightly sprinkling with salt. Add chicken to marinade, ensuring all pieces are completely immersed (turn halfway through marinating time if unable to immerse completely). Cover and chill for at least 8 hours or up to overnight.
- Preheat grill to medium-high.
- Brush pineapple and 1 jalapeño with oil. Place on grill and cook until slightly charred, about 2 to 3 minutes per side. Set aside.
- Remove chicken from marinade and place on grill. Discard remaining marinade. Grill chicken, turning occasionally, until cooked through, about 5 minutes total. Set aside.
- To assemble nachos, dice grilled pineapple and jalapeño. Dice or shred chicken and thinly slice remaining fresh jalapeño. On a foil-lined baking tray that will fit onto grill, layer chips, cheese, diced grilled pineapple, fresh and grilled jalapeño, chicken, tomato and onion. Cook on grill until warmed and cheese has melted, about 3 to 5 minutes.
- To serve, arrange nachos on a platter. Garnish with diced avocado, radish slices, fresh cilantro leaves and lime wedges. Serve while warm.
Drink Pairings
Creamed Peas
Ingredients
Serves 6
¼ cup (60 ml) butter, divided
¼ cup (60 ml) finely chopped onion
Pinch ground nutmeg
¾ tsp (4 ml) kosher salt
3 tbsp (45 ml) flour
2 cups (500 ml) whole milk, warmed
1 lb (500 g) frozen peas
Chopped green herbs, such as parsley, mint and/or chives, for garnish
Instructions
- In a medium saucepan, over medium-high heat, melt 3 tbsp (45 ml) butter then stir in onion, nutmeg and salt. Add flour, stirring until no lumps remain.
- Whisk in milk in small additions, whisking after each addition to prevent lumps. Once all milk has been added, bring to a boil, whisking constantly. Then reduce heat to low and simmer for 5 to 10 minutes, or until thickened. Set aside but keep warm.
- In a large sauté pan, heat remaining 1 tbsp (15 ml) butter over medium heat. Add peas and stir to coat. Cover and cook for about 5 minutes, or until heated through, stirring occasionally.
- Mix sauce into peas, then taste and adjust seasoning, as desired.
- Transfer to a serving bowl and garnish with chopped herbs.