The weather in Boston hit the upper 90’s last month sending the overheated masses to the nearest beach. Although summer heat can be oppressive, it can’t keep us from enjoying one of everyone’s favorite summer pastimes: barbecue!
Barbecue is very popular in East Asia. One typical summer get-together includes grilled meat skewers and refreshing beers. Barbecue is such a summer staple that you may find some Korean BBQ tents in China that stay open all night!
Since nothing beats a summer day spent with friends and barbecue, we’d like to share a few recipes you can use for an Asian BBQ party. Now grab some friends and get cooking!
Lamb Skewers/Kabob (One of the most popular street foods in China!)
INGREDIENTS
- 1 ½ pounds lamb chopped into 1 inch long slices (the lamb cooks best when it contains both the lean meat and fat)
- 2 tsp salt
- 1 tbs paprika
- 1 tbs cumin powder
- 1 tbs cumin seeds
- 1 tbs vegetable oil
- Bamboo skewers
DIRECTIONS
- Mix all the ingredients together into a marinade
- Add lamb to mixture and marinate for at least half an hour
- Preheat grill to medium-high heat or preheat oven to 350ºF
- Thread the meat onto skewers, 6 or 7 pieces each, leaving a small space between each item
- Grill or bake skewers for 10 minutes, turning as needed, or until meat is cooked to your liking
Korean Bulgogi (Listed #23 on CNN’s World’s 50 Most Delicious Foods)
INGREDIENTS
- 1 pound flank steak, thinly sliced against the grain
- 8 oz Korean BBQ condiment (can be found in any Asian market)
- 2 tbs minced garlic
- 2 tsp minced ginger
- ¼ cup chopped scallion
- 2 tbs sesame oil
- 2 tbs sesame seeds
- 1 bunch of Romaine Lettuce (optional)
DIRECTIONS
- Mix all the ingredients together into a marinade. Pour mixture over flank steak. Cover and refrigerate beef and marinate for at least 1 hour or overnight
- Preheat grill to high heat, and lightly oil the grate
- Add beef to hot grill and cook until slightly charred and cooked through, 1 to 2 minutes per side (You can also fry the beef if you prefer crispier meat.)
- Wrap the beef into a lettuce leaf for a refreshing crunch (optional)
Lamb skewers/kabob and Korean bulgogi are both great on their own but are even better when served with Garlic Cucumber as a light and refreshing complement:
INGREDIENTS
- 2 cucumbers
- 1 tbs mashed garlic
- 1 tbs brown rice vinegar
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp sugar
- ½ tsp sesame oil
DIRECTIONS
- Use the side of a large knife to bruise the cucumber
- Slice cucumber into 1-inch long pieces
- Place cucumber into a bowl and blend in all ingredients. Stir and serve!
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