Korean beef bibimbap
Spinach, carrot, bean sprouts and shiitake each cooked separately and arranged over rice with marinated beef and a fried egg — mix in the chilli paste and tuck in.
- 40 min
- Serves 2
- Toss
- Medium
Why it suits you: Blood-stasis types have a dull complexion and bruise easily, and in the heat we move less and sit more, so blood moves more sluggishly too. Beef boosts qi and nourishes blood, and where qi goes, blood follows; spinach nourishes blood, carrot supports the spleen and a little warming chilli paste helps circulation. A rainbow in one bowl that really wakes up the appetite.
Method
Prep 25 min · Cook 15 min- 1Mix the beef with most of the soy sauce, half the garlic and a few drops of sesame oil and leave for 15 minutes.
- 2Blanch the spinach and bean sprouts separately in boiling water for 30 seconds, squeeze dry and dress each with a little sesame oil and the remaining soy sauce.
- 3Heat a little oil in a wok and stir-fry the carrot and shiitake separately until soft. Set aside.
- 4Add a little more oil and stir-fry the beef with the remaining garlic over a high heat until just cooked. Fry two eggs sunny side up in a separate pan.
- 5Divide the rice between two bowls, arrange the vegetables and beef in sections on top, place an egg in the middle and add the chilli paste. Mix well before eating.
Cautions
- Gochujang is salty and spicy: use less if you have a sore throat, mouth ulcers or stomach pain, and avoid spicy food during heavy periods.
Chef's tips
- Blanch and dress the vegetables the night before and keep them in the fridge, so lunch is just beef and eggs; a hot clay pot gives you crispy-bottomed dolsot bibimbap.
The TCM view
Beef is sweet and neutral, tonifying the spleen and stomach, boosting qi and blood and strengthening the sinews, so blood moves with vigour. Spinach is sweet and cool, nourishing blood; carrot is sweet and neutral, strengthening the spleen; shiitake supports healthy qi. Chilli is pungent and hot, warming the middle and promoting circulation, and sesame oil and garlic help free the vessels. It warms, frees and nourishes blood at once.
