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

  1. In a medium to large saucepan, bring salted water to a boil and blanch sprouts.
  2. Drain and shock sprouts in ice water, then let drain for 10 to 15 minutes, or until all excess water is gone.
  3. 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.
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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

  1. In a large saucepan with a lid (preferably non-stick), heat oil over medium heat. Add potatoes and fry for 5 minutes, turning occasionally.
  2. Add carrots and fry another 2 minutes, turning occasionally.
  3. Add onion, pepper and garlic and fry another 2 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  4. 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.
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Drink Pairings

Spicy Grilled Chicken (Dak Bulgogi)

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. Eat the meats as described in the recipes as little lettuce packages, on their own, or with rice and kimchi—it's up to you!

Ingredients

Serves 4-6
1 ripe pear, peeled and cored
1 small onion, peeled
5 garlic cloves, peeled
1-in (2.5 cm) piece ginger, peeled
3 tbsp (45 ml) water
2 tbsp (30 ml) gochugaru (Korean chili powder)
2 tbsp (30 ml) gochujang (Korean chili paste)
2 tbsp (30 ml) soy sauce
1 tbsp (15 ml) sugar
2 tsp (10 ml) mirin
2 tsp (10 ml) honey
2 tsp (10 ml) pineapple juice
2 tsp (10 ml) sesame oil
1 lb (500 g) boneless, skinless chicken thighs
½ head green lettuce, washed, to serve
1 bunch perilla leaves, to serve (optional)
4 garlic cloves, thinly sliced, to serve
2 Korean chili peppers or serrano peppers, thinly sliced, to serve
white short grain rice, cooked, to serve
Fermented Bean Sauce, make ahead (recipe in Fall issue) to serve

Instructions

  1. With a blender, blend pear, onion, 5 garlic cloves, ginger and water until smooth. Add the gochugaru, gochujang, soy sauce, sugar, mirin, honey, pineapple juice and sesame oil. Blend to combine. Once combined, transfer to a container large enough to marinate chicken. Add chicken and mix well. Marinate, covered, in refrigerator, for 1 hour.
  2. Cook chicken pieces on Korean grill over medium-high heat until cooked through, about 5 to 7 minutes per side. Cut into bite-sized pieces to serve.
  3. To eat, if desired, rip a piece of lettuce into a bite-sized piece, put a perilla leaf, a piece of chicken, sliced garlic, rice and some Fermented Bean Sauce.
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Drink Pairings

Grilled Pork Belly

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. Eat the meats as described in the recipes as little lettuce packages, on their own, or with rice and kimchi—it's up to you!

Ingredients

Serves 4-6
1 lb (500 g) sliced pork belly
½ head green lettuce, washed, to serve
1 bunch perilla leaves, to serve (optional)
4 garlic cloves, thinly sliced, to serve
2 Korean chili peppers or serrano peppers, thinly sliced
white short grain rice, cooked, to serve
Fermented Bean Sauce, make ahead (recipe in Fall issue) to serve

Instructions

  1. Cook pork belly pieces on Korean grill over medium-high heat until cooked through, about 3 to 4 minutes per side. Cut into bite-sized pieces to serve.
  2. To eat, if desired, rip a piece of lettuce into a bite-sized piece, fill with a perilla leaf, a piece of pork belly, sliced garlic, chili, rice and some Fermented Bean Sauce.
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Drink Pairings

Korean Short Ribs (Galbi)

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. Eat the meats as described in the recipes as little lettuce packages, on their own, or with rice and kimchi—it's up to you!

Ingredients

Serves 4-6
2 ripe pears, peeled and cored
1 small onion, peeled
5 garlic cloves, peeled
1-in (2.5 cm) piece ginger, peeled
3 tbsp (45 ml) water
½ cup (125 ml) soy sauce
3 tbsp (45 ml) honey
2 tbsp (30 ml) Korean cooking rice wine, or mirin
1 tbsp (15 ml) toasted sesame oil
2 lbs (1 kg) flanken-cut beef short ribs (Maui rib cut)
sesame seeds, for garnish
½ head green lettuce, washed, to serve
1 bunch perilla leaves, to serve (optional)
4 garlic cloves, thinly sliced, to serve
2 Korean chili peppers or serrano peppers, thinly sliced, to serve
white short grain rice, cooked, to serve
Fermented Bean Sauce, make ahead (recipe in Fall issue) to serve

Instructions

  1. Blend pears, onion, 5 whole garlic cloves, ginger and water until smooth. Add soy sauce, honey, cooking wine and sesame oil and blend to combine. Transfer to a container large enough to marinate ribs in.
  2. Add ribs to marinade and marinate covered in refrigerator for at least 1 hour, preferably overnight.
  3. Grill ribs on Korean grill over medium-high until fully cooked, about 2 to 3 minutes per side. Cut and garnish with sesame seeds to serve.
  4. To eat, if desired, rip a piece of lettuce into a bite-sized piece, fill with a perilla leaf, a piece of short rib, sliced garlic, chili, rice and some Fermented Bean Sauce.
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Drink Pairings

Plant-Based Chocolate Raspberry Tart

You'll be coming back for more with this recipe!

Ingredients

Serves 8-10
40 Oreo cookies
5 tbsp (75 ml) plant-based butter*, melted
1 x 14 oz (398 ml) can coconut cream
8 oz (226 g) semi-sweet plant-based chocolate, plus extra for garnish
1 tsp (5 ml) vanilla
⅛ tsp (0.5 ml) salt
2 cups (500 ml) fresh raspberries, for garnish
½ cup (125 ml) hazelnuts, roasted, for garnish
½ cup (125 ml) semi-sweet plant-based chocolate shavings, for garnish (optional)
5 mint leaves, for garnish

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350 F (175 C). Prepare a 11-in (28 cm) round tart pan by cutting an 11-in (28 cm) round of parchment paper and placing it in bottom of tart pan. Spray sides with cooking spray.
  2. In a food processor, blend Oreos into crumbs. Slowly add butter while pulsing to form a wet sand-like crumble. Place mixture in centre of prepared pan. Using wet fingers or bottom of a water glass, press mixture down and up sides to form a crust. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes until crisp. Allow to cool completely.
  3. In a saucepan, warm coconut cream over medium heat, about 4 minutes. Do not allow to come to a boil.
  4. In a large stainless steel bowl, add chocolate and hot coconut cream. Allow to sit for 2 minutes. Whisk until all chocolate has melted, then whisk in vanilla and salt. Pour chocolate mixture into tart pan and let set in refrigerator for at least 4 hours, preferably overnight.
  5. Garnish with raspberries, hazelnuts, chocolate shavings and mint leaves.
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Drink Pairings

Plant-Based Squash & Mushroom Lasagna

Layered with butternut squash and cremini mushrooms, this plant-based lasagna is sure to satisfy. Consider pairing this recipe with Cono Sur Organic Chardonnay or Viognier Yalumba Y Series.

Ingredients

Serves 6
1 small to medium butternut squash, halved (about 2 cups (500 ml) of squash)
1 package (450 g) chopped cremini mushrooms
2 tbsp (30 ml) olive oil
1 small yellow onion, diced
4 garlic cloves, minced
1 cup (250 ml) store-bought tomato pasta sauce
salt and pepper, to taste
1 cup (250 ml) oat milk, plus more if needed
1 cup (250 ml) cashews
5 sprigs thyme, leaves only
½ cup (125 ml) nutritional yeast
1 package egg-free lasagna sheets (no cooking required)
½ cup (125 ml) plant-based Parmesan (optional)
10 basil leaves

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 375 F (190 C). On a lined baking tray, place squash flesh-side down. Bake until fork-tender, about 40 minutes. Remove seeds and discard them. Scoop out squash flesh and set aside to cool.
  2. In a food processor, add roughly chopped mushrooms and pulse until pieces are small and resemble minced meat.
  3. In a large skillet, over medium-high, heat olive oil. Add onions and cook for 8 to 10 minutes, or until translucent. Add garlic and minced mushrooms and cook for 5 minutes or until some of the liquid has cooked off from mushrooms. Add tomato sauce and cook for another 5 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Remove from heat and allow to cool.
  4. In a saucepan, over medium-high heat, combine oat milk and cashews. Add thyme and nutritional yeast and cook for 8 minutes. Remove from heat.
  5. In a blender, add oat milk, cashews and squash and blend on high until smooth béchamel sauce is made. If needed, add a little more oat milk, 1 tbsp (15 ml) at a time, until desired consistency. Season with salt and pepper.
  6. In a 10 x 8-in (2 L) casserole dish, place a large spoonful of squash béchamel and spread it evenly to cover bottom of dish. Place 3 lasagna sheets across bottom of pan. If they don’t fit perfectly, just break extra ends off to fit. Spread roughly ⅓ of mushroom mixture evenly over noodles. Place 3 more lasagna sheets over top. Layer with ⅓ squash mixture. Continue pattern, alternating squash and mushroom mixture between lasagna sheets until ingredients are used up. This works best if the squash béchamel is the final layer.
  7. Sprinkle top with plant-based Parmesan. Bake for 45 minutes or until lasagna sheets are fork-tender.
  8. Garnish with basil and serve.
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Drink Pairings

Plant-Based Potato Tart

Crisp puff pastry with russet potatoes, leeks and cashew cream, this potato tart is easy and quick to make and so delicious. Pair this recipe with Ardeche Syrah Saint Desirat or Hello Vegan Pinot Grigio.

Ingredients

Serves 4-6
1 tbsp (15 ml) plant-based butter
2 leeks, white part only, sliced
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 cup (250 ml) oat milk, plus more if needed
1 cup (250 ml) raw cashews
1 tbsp (15 ml) chopped rosemary leaves
5 sprigs thyme
salt and pepper, to taste
2 small russet potatoes, peeled
1 sheet puff pastry, thawed*

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350 F (180 C). In a medium skillet over medium heat, melt butter. Add leeks and sauté for 5 to 8 minutes until soft. Add garlic and cook for another 2 minutes. Remove mixture from heat, place in a large stainless steel bowl and allow to cool.
  2. In a medium saucepan, over medium heat, combine oat milk, cashews, rosemary and thyme. Allow to cook for 10 minutes until cashews are slightly softened. Remove thyme stems and set mixture aside to cool slightly.
  3. In a high-speed blender, blend cashews and oat milk until very smooth. If needed, add 1 tbsp (15 ml) oat milk at a time to thin it out until a thick but silky consistency is achieved. Season with salt and pepper and add to leek mixture. Mix to combine.
  4. Using a mandoline, slice potatoes as thin as possible. Add to leek and cashew mixture. Stir to coat.
  5. Grease a 13 x 4-in (33 x 10 cm) rectangle tart pan with cooking spray. Lay puff pastry over pan and gently press down to form tart base. Trim excess pastry.
  6. Place potatoes flat to pastry. Layer in an overlapping pattern until tart pan is full, scooping any remaining cashew cream onto tart while layering. It’s ok if there are leftover potatoes, but try to use all the cashew cream.
  7. Season again with salt and pepper and bake until golden brown and potatoes are fork-tender, about 20 to 30 minutes. If a crispier tart is desired, broil on high for 2 minutes. Garnish with fresh thyme.
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Drink Pairings

Gold Moon Rising

A cocktail by Barry Jackson, bar manager at Acquafarina from their fall menu.

Ingredients

Serves 1
1¼ oz (37 ml) Moonlight Premium Shochu infused with toasted sesame seeds*
½ oz (15 ml) Bols Apricot Brandy
¼ oz (7 ml) Martini Bianco Vermouth
2 to 3 dashes Cardamom bitters
sour peach candy, for garnish

Instructions

  1. *Add 1 heaping tablespoon of toasted sesame seeds to a full 1 x 750 ml bottle of Shochu. Refrigerate overnight, then strain before serving.
  2. In a mixing glass over ice, stir together sesame-infused Shochu, apricot liqueur and vermouth. Strain into a small coupe or Nic & Nora glass and garnish with a skewered sour peach candy.
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Frankenstein

Over 200 years ago, Mary Shelley wrote of a creature that had no name and was brought to life by the mad scientist Dr. Frankenstein. Like the monster that Frankenstein created, this green cocktail is pieced together from various parts, and is probably just what a monster needs, a bright and vibrant boost of vitamins.

Ingredients

Serves 1
½ long English cucumber, rinsed, seeded
½ Granny smith apple
1 cup (250 ml) packed spinach leaves
½-in piece fresh ginger, peeled
1½ oz (45 ml) Crown Royal Apple Whisky
¾ oz (22 ml) Chartreuse Green
¾ oz (22 ml) lemon juice
½ oz (15 ml) simple syrup*
black sesame seeds, for rim garnish

Instructions

  1. Press all of the fruit and vegetables through a juicer**, alternating ingredients to maximize extraction (or use a blender for a thicker texture). Fine strain juice into a cocktail shaker with cubed ice and add apple whisky, chartreuse, lemon juice and simple syrup. Shake to chill. Moisten half the outer rim of a Collins glass and dip into black sesame. Strain drink over new ice in rimmed glass.
  2. * 1:1 ratio of sugar dissolved in boiling water. Let cool before using.
  3. ** A “slow” juicer is the ideal method and will retain 80 percent more of the nutritional impact of the fruits and vegetables. A “highspeed” juicer will oxidize the juice before it’s even left the juicer, reducing nutrition dramatically and Frankenstein needs all the health benefits available!
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