Americanized Bibimbap

Americanized Bibimbap Pollywhap and give your Valentine a bone!!  Who wants to make something special for your Valentine?!  Americanized Bibimbap is not only an amazing dinner but it’s a great introduction to Korean flavors.  What does Americanized Bibimbap Pollywhap mean?  No clue, I thought it sounded funny so I used it.  What does “give your Valentine a bone” mean?  Exactly what you think it means.  You’re welcome.

Every blogger I’ve come across is presenting a heart-shaped cookie or a chocolate dessert recipe for Valentine’s day.  I’m going rouge and bringing you an outstanding dinner you can make to impress your Valentine to ensure they remain your Valentine for years to come.

If you make the Americanized Bibimbap but you’re still jonesing for chocolate I have two amazing brownie recipes for you.  Try my Chewy Chocolate Chili Brownies (they are not spicy) or my Chocolate Chip Cookie Brownies.  Both recipes will satisfy the chocolate craving!

Kieran and I are weird, we kinda celebrate Valentine’s day in passing.  We’re loving towards each other on a daily basis so spending extra money on presents for a hallmark holiday seems like a waste.  However, just because we don’t buy presents for each other doesn’t mean we ignore Valentine’s day all together.  In lieu of buying presents, we decided to go on an adventure for Valentine’s Day!  Kieran’s hitting the slopes and I’m taking a class to learn how to ski!

I’ve wanted to learn to ski for a long time.  I had a few opportunities to learn during college but they fell through due to money issues.  The first time I went skiing was with Kieran a few years ago.  We rode up to Devils Head Resort in Merrimac, Wisconsin located 3 hours northwest of Chicago.  I figured I’d adore skiing but quickly learned that wasn’t the case.  No one warned me how difficult ski boots are to walk in.  I assumed ski boots were like normal boots so I was in for a surprise after strapping the heavy boots to my feet.  I could barely stand without needing Kieran’s support!  Suddenly the prospect of dealing with skis and snow in addition to the boots was utterly terrifying to me.

Kieran said he would teach me how to ski so I opted out of the beginners’ ski class.  I wobbled my way out the door and fell over repeatedly trying to attach the skis.  I was miserable at this point, feeling hampered before I even started.  Somehow we made our way to the bunny hill and rode up the snow escalator thingy.  I still couldn’t keep my balance at this point.  I asked Kieran at the top of the hill how to stop.  Kieran said, do the pizza, which means to point your skis inwards to make a triangle formation.  I asked if there was anything else I should know.  I don’t think so, he said.  Down the bunny hill, I went…

The Americanized Bibimbap goes down real easy…just saying

I quickly noticed I wasn’t just going down the bunny hill,  I was flying down the bunny hill.  Oh shit, I thought, I’m going way too fast, I better slow down.  It was that second I noticed I couldn’t move my feet in a triangle formation.  In fact, I couldn’t move my feet at all!!!  I barreled down the bunny hill towards a beginners ski class.  Oh, fuck oh fuck oh fuck what should I do?!?  I’m going to kill somebody!  I was 20 feet away from the class when full-blown panic set in.  If I didn’t do something soon I was going to hurt somebody.

Fuck it, I kamikazed myself by turning my body sideways with all my might.  I fell over, crashing into the snow.  The momentum of my fall caused my body to spin like I was doing cartwheels, facedown.  I continued to cartwheel facedown in the snow until I finally stopped, spread-eagle, a few feet away from the class.

(Photo is from Singingandspinning.com)

The instructor’s eyes bugged out of his head.  He asked if I was alright at the same moment Kieran caught up to me.  I wearily looked up at the class and said, that was a demonstration of what not to do.  The instructor belly laughed then informed his class if they’re ever going too fast, they can squat down and gently tip over.  Kieran, overhearing the whole thing goes, oh YEAH, that IS the best way to stop.  I mustered up the evilest of eyes in Kieran’s direction then turned in my skis, I was done.

I was done with skiing that particular day but not detoured.  If I put in the effort, I know I can learn to ski.  So, for Valentine’s day, we’re heading to Mt Hood to hit the slopes.  Well, actually, Kieran is hitting the slopes and I’m doing what I should have done the first time, I’m taking a beginner ski class.

I suspect I’ll be sore upon our return home from skiing not to mention ravenously hungry.  Americanized Bibimbap to the rescue!  The recipe is a cinch to make and it comes together quickly!

The literal translation of Bibimbap is mixed rice.  According to Wikipedia, Bibimbap is served as a bowl of warm white rice topped with namul and gochujang, soy sauce, or doenjang.  A raw or fried egg and sliced meat are common additions.  What the fuck is namul, gochujang, and doengang?  Don’t worry, I didn’t know either.  To Google!!!

Wikipedia says Namul refers to edible grass, gochujang is a fermented red chili condiment, and doengang is a bean paste made from soybeans and brine.  I’m lucky to live in a diverse city with multiple Asian supermarkets nearby, but I can imagine those ingredients would be hard to find in rural America.  Instead of namul I used baby spinach, I subbed sriracha for the gochujang, and used soy sauce instead of doengang.  Obviously, my bibimbap isn’t traditional but it gets the job done, dammit!

Not only does my Americanized Bibimbap get the job done but it gets the job done quickly.  Quick and easy weekday meals are a must for any household and this recipe cooks in approx 30 minutes.  I prep my weekday dinner vegetables over the weekend so I didn’t need to chop the carrot and red pepper, I simply reached in my refrigerator for my precut ingredients and I was ready to go!

The fried egg comes in handy because this dish isn’t particularly saucy.  The richness of the egg yolk seeps down into the seasoned beef to create a moment of magic for your face hole.  It’s so damn good I’ve been making the recipe on a weekly basis.

Fun fact, once I messed up and thawed out ground chicken instead of ground beef.  I said screw it and used the ground chicken in the recipe.  It didn’t taste as rich but it still worked, which means if you’re watching your red meat intake, chicken is a decent substitute!

This Valentine’s Day instead of chocolate or steak make Americanized Bibimbap Pollywhap and give your Valentine a bone!  Yes, I’m talking about eating this delicious recipe then getting your freak on with the one you love.  Valentine’s Day is about more than just consumerism, chocolates, flowers, and romantic cards are nice gestures but it’s about being close to the one you love.  Real talk – getting drunk AF with your single friends on Valentine’s Day is fun too.

I hope you celebrate Valentine’s Day the way you want and with the people you love.  Be safe on February 14th, have fun and eat some ridiculously delicious Americanized Bibimbap. 😀

Thanks for stopping by,

Christina