Galbitang (short rib beef soup)

Ingredients

1 kg beef short ribs
1 large white radish (appro. 500g), peeled
1 large white or yellow onion, peeled
4+2 cloves of garlic
2 egg yolks
2-2 sprigs of spring onions, chopped
2 tsp of Korean red chili pepper flakes/powder
freshly crushed peppercorns (optional)
1 tsp sesame oil (optional)

Steps

1.Cut beef short ribs into large chunks, trim off any excess fat and wash thoroughly to remove excess blood.
Place the ribs in a pot of boiling water and blanch for 5 min.
Discard blanching water, clean the pot and fill up with water again. Place over the stove and bring the water to a boil.

2. Meanwhile, rinse the ribs again** and cut white radish into large chunks.
When the water starts to boil, place beef ribs, white radish chunks, 4 cloves of garlic and the large peeled onion into the pot.

3.Add more water if needed, ensuring that all the ingredients are completely submerged.
Bring the water to a boil again and lower flame to medium high for 1 hour. After that, lower flame to medium low and simmer for another 30 min to 1 h until the meat on the ribs are very soft and barely clinging onto the bone. Season with salt.

4. While waiting for the soup to cook, prepare “gyeranjidan” by beating 2 egg yolks in a small bowl.

5. Prepare a egg yolk omelette in a shallow frying pan by adding a little oil and frying until the omelette is no longer runny. Dish and slice into thin strips after the egg yolk omelette has cooled slightly. Set aside for garnishing.

6. When the soup is ready, remove all the ingredients from the pot. Cut the white radish chunks into thick slices. Discard onions and garlic. Place beef ribs in serving bowls with white radish slices.
Strain the soup with a very fine sieve or over cheesecloth. Skim off fat and oils floating on the surface if necessary.
7. Return soup to the pot, add 2 cloves of minced garlic and bring the soup to a rapid boil again.
Ladle hot soup with garlic over beef ribs and white radish slices.

8. Garnish with strips of gyeranjidan, chopped spring onions, freshly crushed peppercorns and serve with white rice and other Korean side dishes. Or you could also do it like me, prepare the ingredients for bibimbap while the soup is boiling away!

Link you may want to explore:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Galbitang