episode 87 :: ahn-joo
Posted by Phil on November 17th, 2011
While I have not been a huge fan of the direction Food Network has taken in the past few years, I do owe it a debt of gratitude. It has blessed me with two great friends – Nathan Lyon, and the “female David Chang” Debbie Lee. You may remember me gushing over her in episode 58 two years ago as she re-introduced me to the Korean food I thought I knew.
Maybe a more important thing to stress is this: Debbie’s appearance on The Next Food Network Star made her want to cook again. She discovered herself and made a new life path. If it weren’t for that show, we would not have had Seoultown Tapas at The Bread Bar, the Ahn-Joo food truck, and the new Ahn-Joo snack bar. More to the point, we wouldn’t have Debbie Lee.
I tip my hat to you, Food Network. She’s never looked back. It’s almost like she’s making up for lost time. The woman turns 40 and all Hell breaks loose.
In this week’s episode, we’re visiting Debbie at the opening of her new restaurant “Ahn-Joo” located at the Americana at Brand in Glendale, CA. Her new book “Seoultown Kitchen” is a virtual red carpet of wholesome “pub grub” — delicious plates of Korean food intended to be eaten (in Debbie’s words) “with lots of beer and soju.”
She had me at “beer.”
We’ll be making her recipe for Hangover Stew, talking about how her life path has changed, and what the future holds for her, for her restaurant, and for our stomachs.
In this episode:
• Prohibition, My Life as a Foodie style
• “The Melt” – the only exciting thing Chiefs fans can look forward to
• Stone’s Vertical Epic 11.11.11
• The food, the love, the magic of Debbie Lee
• In The Kitchen: Hangover Stew
• Mario Batali made a boo-boo. Can we get on with life now?
• David Chang might be the Korean Steve Jobs
• Veggie Grill’s 5th Anniversary, and how you can grab $500 of free food
Visit Ahn-Joo:
the americana at brand
668 americana way, suite fp5
glendale, ca 91210
818.242.3793
Music in this episode from:Fear Factory
and Deadmau5
Hangover Stew
Serves 4 (with leftovers)
INGREDIENTS
2 pounds pork butt, cut into 3 inch chunks
2 cups smoky chile rub (listen to the show)
2 quarts pork stock (listen to the show)
2 yellow onions, sliced 1/4 inch thick
1/4 cup thinly sliced garlic cloves
24 ounces of lager or pilsner beer
1/4 cup soy sauce
1 tablespoon garlic powder
1 tablespoon onion powder
2 tablespoons chili pepper flakes
3 tablespoons sugar
2 tablespoons sesame oil
1 pound new potatoes, washed, cut in half
12 Korean peppers (gochu)
Sea salt and white pepper to taste
1/4 cup chopped scallions, for garnish
In a large mixing bowl, combine the pork butt and smoky chili rub. Mix well and cover with plastic wrap. Allow to sit for 30 minutes or longer in the refrigerator.
Heat a large stockpot over medium high heat. Add the onions and garlic, and saute for 2-3 minutes. Add the marinated pork butt and sear the meat on both sides for 3-4 minutes, or until nicely golden brown. Add the stock and beer. Bring to a boil for 5 minutes.
Reduce the heat to medium-low and add the soy sauce, garlic and onion powders, chili pepper flakes, sugar, and sesame oil. Cover and simmer for about 30 minutes.
Add the potatoes and cook for another 20 minutes.
Add the Korean peppers and season with salt and white pepper. Cook another 10 minutes.
Divide the soup among 4 large bowls. Garnish with scallions.
Great, great episode! As you know no need to convert me. I’m big fan of Debbie’s — of both her amazing cooking and her warm, bubbly personality. As you were making the Hangover Stew I swear I could smell it cooking! That might by my first recipe I cook from the book. Thanks, Phil!
Loved this episode. You are right about her food; those bacon-wrapped rice cylingers among the great dishes. Great show.
Thanks guys! It was the first time I’ve cooked a stew in the house when you could literally smell the layers of flavor building throughout the day. The broth has incredible depth.
I want that sandwich from the chiefs game now!
I’m all about pub food and given this take on it I think I have a new item for my wishlist this holiday season.
Great show Phil!