Tag Archive for 'healthy'

The Benefits of Fermented Foods: Part 1 of 2

Published
by
Korean Food Lover
on August 1, 2008
in Traditional Food
. 0 Comments

Fermented foods exist universally in ethnic cuisines. Korean foods rely heavily on fermented foods. Korean recipes for kimchee, gochujang (hot bean paste) and fish sauce exist as basis for the building of many other Korean dishes including dolsot bibimbap.

Dolsotbibimbap is a traditional Korean dish that includes kimchee, gochujang and fish sauce (used to make kimchee) along with rice, namul (sautéed or seasoned vegetables), beef and egg.

Dolsot bibimbap is coming into its own lately, as lovers of fine cuisine herald their praises of this Korean dish. Recipes for dolsotbibimbap are springing up all over the internet as shows like Iron Chef and others from the Food Network provide Korean recipes.

Truly traditional foods from every culture have a food or drink that is fermented. This practice stems from the necessary need to preserve vegetables over the winter months so that peoples could benefit from those properties essential to human health and continuation.

It’s an ancient practice that hasn’t evolved by chance or because of an appreciation of flavor. The survival of a culture necessarily precludes the fact that their diet has kept them here to pass it on. Recipes of extinguished cultures do not exist.

Food knowledge used to be a regular part of cultural wisdom that was taught to youth. Today we are unable to determine what is healthy and what is not. The food that is touted as the nutrition-miracle today is consequently proven to cause cancer tomorrow.

Korean food has an advantage in the fact that it consists of Korean recipes and Korean dishes that have not been readily available to Western consumers and that the making of Korean food has, up until recent times, been home-made and hand-down-through-the-generations cuisine.

Korean people have had to make their native foods themselves in order to eat the foods that they love and need. Dishes like dolsot bibimbap have only recently become more well-known in the West.

Globalization, the spread of information, healthy practices and consumer demand for information are actually detrimental to knowledge of healthy eating. No one wants to wait for a long-term study. These involve following a group of people partaking of a substance or eating practice over the course of their lifetime.

Benefits and history of Kimchi

Published
by
Korean Food Lover
on June 21, 2008
in Traditional Food
. 0 Comments

kimchiSince the human beings began cultivation, they enjoyed eating vegetables which are rich in vitamins and minerals. However, due to the cold winter, there need to be some kind of preservation method and that is pickling. Kimchi is a kind of pickled vegetable that is fermented through lactic acid at low temperature for preservation. It started being developed from 7th century and now it is a food which all Koreans enjoys to eat and becoming popular worldwide.

Many people think of the use of hot red pepper powder when they hear about Kimchi, but at first it was just salted vegetables. In the 18th century, hot red pepper became one of the major spices used for Kimchi and with the introduction of Baechu (Chinese cabbage) in the 19th century, people are now seeing the type of Kimchi that we know today. As you know there are only few fermented vegetable food worldwide, and there are several possible reasons why Kimchi was developed. First, Korean people’s main industry was agriculture, so that vegetables were popular for them. In addition, Koreans had prominent technology for slating fish, which was usually used as a seasoning and introduction of Baechu was suitable for making Kimchi.

There are many characteristics and beneficial effects of Kimchi. It develops a unique taste that differs from ingredients and condiments, and it becomes more palatable as it ferments. This fermentation is caused by bacteria which are contained in the ingredients of Kimchi and it is controlled by the temperature and the amount of salt. In the late period of this process, an enzyme decomposes pectin and as a result, it softens Kimchi fiber. When this process goes well and properly matured, Kimchi has a good taste, but it is easily acidified when it is left in high temperature and it becomes inedible in two days.

Due to the beneficial effects of Kimchi, it is still widely eaten by people and becoming a popular worldwide food. It has antibacterial effect, prevents acid toxicosis, and prevents the development of disease such as obesity and cancer. Moreover, it can help the recovery, delays the aging process, promote digestion and strengthen the immune system. Kimchi is also a food full of nutrition. By eating it, it keeps the balance of nutrition and it is low calorie and good for our body. It provides lots of vitamins and calcium instead of providing calorie.

Currently, Kimchi is being paid attention by Japan and many other countries worldwide. It is because of these characteristics and beneficial effects. People are now recognizing Kimchi not just as a simple food but as a healthy food.

Why Dolsot Bibimbap Is Such a Popular Dish

Published
by
Korean Food Lover
on June 18, 2008
in Dolsot Bibimbap and Korean Dishes
. 0 Comments

There are many Korean dishes which strike the fancy of individuals interested in this type of cuisine.  However, one of the more popular ones which is frequently ordered at Korean restaurants is dolsot bibimbap.  Dolsot bibimbap is a combination of marinated beef, rice, kimchi, egg, gochujang and an assortment of vegetables.  These ingredients are placed in a heated bowl, known as the dolsot, and served to the customer.  This dish is such an all-encompassing one that few need accompanying menu items alongside of their dolsot bibimbap.  There are a few reasons why dolsot bibimbap is such a popular dish.

First, the dish itself is one which comprises the entire meal.  With dolsot bibimbap, you have your protein and vegetables all combined into one dish which makes it an easy meal to order or to make.  Many individuals like the idea of having one meal which covers all bases.  It is usually such a good amount of food that one leaves the table feeling full and satisfied.

Another reason why dolsot bibimbap is such a popular entrée is that it is quite healthy in nature.  The vegetables provide one with the nutrition they need for the day while the meat component provides one with adequate protein.  Since many individuals these days are interested in promoting a healthy lifestyle, being able to eat out and enjoy a healthy meal is an important concept and another reason why individuals like to eat dolsot bibimbap.

Dolsot bibimbap is also traditional with a modern flair to it.  This Korean dish has been served for over 100 years but has become more popular as the years progressed.  It takes a traditional idea, such as serving the bibimbap in a dolsot, but consists of modern ingredients which diners are interested in eating.

Lastly, dolsot bibimbap is quite easy to make.  All one needs in order to enjoy this dish are some dolsots, meat, rice, eggs, gochujang and a variety of vegetables.  Most of these items are present within one’s kitchen which makes throwing together a delicious meal an easy feat to accomplish.