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Korean Sesame Beef with Lettuce Wraps

Cooking Light
Korean Sesame Beef with Lettuce Wraps
Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner; Styling: Cindy Barr
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Worthy of a Special Occasion

Based on the classic Korean barbecue dish bulgogi, this recipe offers savory-sweet-garlicky beef wrapped in lettuce leaves with rice and kimchi. Kimchi is a traditional Korean condiment of fiery fermented cabbage. Look for it at Asian markets or in the supermarket's produce section.

Yield: 4 servings (serving size: 4 filled lettuce leaves)

Ingredients

  • 3/4  pound  flank steak, trimmed
  • 1/3  cup  thinly sliced green onions, divided
  • 1  tablespoon  sugar
  • 2  tablespoons  low-sodium soy sauce
  • 1  tablespoon  minced garlic
  • 1  teaspoon  dark sesame oil
  • 2  tablespoons  canola oil, divided
  • 1  tablespoon  toasted sesame seeds
  • 4  cups  hot cooked short-grain rice
  • 1  cup  kimchi
  • 16  red leaf lettuce leaves

Preparation

1. Cut steak across grain into 1/4-inch slices; cut slices into 1/2-inch-wide strips. Cut strips into 3-inch-long pieces. Combine steak pieces, 1/4 cup onions, sugar, soy sauce, garlic, and sesame oil.

2. Heat a 14-inch wok over high heat. Add 1 tablespoon canola oil to wok, swirling to coat. Add half of steak mixture to wok; stir-fry 2 minutes or until lightly browned. Spoon cooked steak mixture into a bowl. Repeat procedure with remaining 1 tablespoon canola oil and remaining steak mixture. Sprinkle with remaining onions and sesame seeds. Spoon 1/4 cup rice, about 2 tablespoons steak mixture, and 1 tablespoon kimchi onto each lettuce leaf; roll up. Serve immediately.

Nutritional Information

Calories:
498 (27% from fat)
Fat:
14.8g (sat 2.7g,mono 6.8g,poly 3.3g)
Protein:
25.2g
Carbohydrate:
62.2g
Fiber:
3.2g
Cholesterol:
28mg
Iron:
8.7mg
Sodium:
581mg
Calcium:
88mg
Linda Lau Anusasananan, Cooking Light, SEPTEMBER 2008

Member Ratings and Reviews

5 stars
Kristin
This dish is one of my favorites. I have made ot many times and find that using a london broil instead of the flank steak gives a great result. I agree that the lettuce wraps make a mess; I usually serve as a salad. Srirachi sauce and garlic chili sauce also make great condiments if you can't find kimchi (or make a great addition to the heat of the kimchi if you can!)11/30/09

5 stars
Abndgrrl
We made this along side of the sishwan green beans, they are a good combo and use many of the same ingredients. The first time, I tried to make as directed, but the lettuce was a disaster. We ate just with the rice, and the meat is so delicious. The 2nd time we skipped the lettuce and I forgot to make the rice, so we just had the beef and green beans. It's a great, flavorful combination. Might double the recipe next time02/17/09