Korean Food Made Simple

March 7, 2016
Joo, host of the Cooking Channel’s Korean Food Made Simple, brings her unique style to Korean cuisine in this delightful and original book. Joo was raised in New Jersey by Korean parents and trained at the French Culinary Institute, and her recipes reflect this fusion of cultures and flavors. Her main focus remains on Korean cuisine, but she adds her own modern twists to reflect her complex palate. Kimchi pulled-pork disco fries, ultimate KFC (Korean fried chicken), and kimchi and bacon brioche are just a few examples of her appealing innovations. She provides a useful section on pantry staples and includes recipes for essential components of many Korean meals, including kimchi, pancakes, and dumplings. Crispy anchovies, kimchi fried rice, and “krazy” Korean burgers (made with ginger, pancetta, soybean paste, and seltzer) exemplify the wide range of combinations that Joo embraces. Soy-glazed tofu salad, “magical” chicken ginseng soup, and spicy pork belly cheesesteak are all big on flavor and use easy-to-find ingredients. Joo notes that traditional Korean desserts don’t translate well to a Western palate, so she’s revamped traditional offerings to create tempting combinations such as caramel doenjang ice cream, spicy molten chocolate lava cakes, seaweed shortbread, and Korean coffee brownies. Cooks looking to make a first foray into Korean cooking or those wishing to enhance their knowledge will delight in Joo’s uncommon approach and her tasty creations.

March 15, 2016

Korean American chef Joo's debut shares a name with her TV show on the Cooking Channel. After introducing familiar and exotic pantry staples, from nutty toasted sesame oil to fiery Korean chile paste, Joo presents 130 recipes that blend traditional Korean home cooking with contemporary and fusion fare. Assorted kimchi and pickles (cubed radish kimchi) can have long fermentation times, but they're easy to prepare, as are quick stir fries (pork belly and kimchi stir-fry with tofu), soups (instant noodles with spicy rice cakes and fish cakes), and desserts (red bean ice pops). The book also features chapters on sauces, breads, and drinks. VERDICT Like Maangchi's Real Korean Cooking, this cookbook is an approachable gateway to a popular cuisine. Comparatively, Joo's recipes are fancier, with more nods to Western palates (think: cheesecakes, cheesesteaks, wings, and tacos). Highly recommended.

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