Korean Food: A Brief Introduction to Banchan

In Korean cuisine, banchan is a small side dish served along with rice as part of an everyday meal. No Korean meal is complete without at least 2 to 3 banchan.

If you are one of my followers or subscribers then you know that my guilty pleasure is watching Korean dramas. Not only are they entertaining but they are educational and the food they eat always looks so mouth-watering. Watching them makes me hungry. I always wish I could be right there with them enjoying the food! LOL.

Netflix is doing well these days helping me satisfy my appetite for K-dramas. This streaming platform has quite a selection of movies and TV series, historical period or modern, sci-fi, fantasy, horror, and more! Crash Course in Romance is a Korean series that was released on Netflix in January 2023. This series introduced me to “banchan”. One of the main characters was Nam Haeng-seon (played by Jeon Do-yeon), a lady who owned and operated a shop called “Nation’s Best Banchan”. Customers could come into the store and pick whatever banchan dishes they wanted for lunch or dinner.

Not being very familiar with Korean cuisine, my first question was: What is banchan? My second question was: What is the best banchan? I did a little research and am sharing my notes below.

NOTE 1: “Banchan means side dish in Korean, but in reality, it’s a bunch of small dishes filled to the brim with pickles and the like that scatter the table at lunch or dinner.” (REF: Hills, S. W. (2022, January 13). The Funky, Flavorful Side Dishes to Complete Any Korean Meal. Food52. food52.com/blog/17598-the-funky-flavorful-sides-a-korean-meal-wouldn-t-be-complete-without)

NOTE 2: “There are generally three main types of banchan — fresh vegetable banchan like namul or muchim; braised or soy sauce-based banchan called jorim; and well-preserved mit banchan like kimchi or jeotgal, that’s usually on hand in large batches.” (REF: Yoo, Irene. “How to Cook a Bunch of Banchan.” Food Network, Food Network, 6 May 2021, www.foodnetwork.com/how-to/packages/food-network-essentials/how-to-cook-banchan-side-dishes-crowd. Accessed 7 Mar. 2023.)

NOTE 3: What are some popular banchan dishes? (REF: TasteAtlas. “46 Types of Banchan Sorted by Popularity.” Tasteatlas.com, TasteAtlas, 20 Nov. 2020, www.tasteatlas.com/most-popular-types-of-banchan-in-the-world. Accessed 7 Mar. 2023.)

N‌OTE 4: “Banchan dates back to the mid-Three Kingdom period, around 300s AD at a time when Buddhism was a heavy influence and meat consumption was highly discouraged. As a restyle, seasonal vegetable-based dishes became the focal point of Korean cuisine.” (REF: Angela, and admin. “Banchan History: All about Korea’s Famous Side Dishes.” FOODICLES, 2 June 2021, foodicles.com/banchan-history/. Accessed 7 Mar. 2023.)

NOTE 5: Everything you need to know about the history, etiquette, and ingredients behind banchan. (REF: Spalding, Lavinia, and Mae Hamilton. “How to Eat Korean Banchan — and a Guide to the Most Iconic Dishes.” AFAR Media, AFAR Media, 30 Aug. 2021, www.afar.com/magazine/how-to-eat-korean-banchan-and-a-guide-to-the-most-iconic-dishes. Accessed 7 Mar. 2023.)‌

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Are the Foods You Love to Eat on a List?

FOOD! This topic has so much variety that one of my friends suggested the best 2 words to describe it is “food diversity”. Diversity is right. People love sharing recipes. Nutritionists and medical practitioners share information about health benefits, health tips, and healthy eating. Others like to go on a sort of “food safari” and talk about all the bizarre foods they discovered.

#1 Top 10 List of Superfoods

10 Everyday Superfoods - https://t.co/Adn9FPN6Kd ~ These 10 #superfoods top the list of the best healthy foods to eat every day. ~ https://t.co/rLgAzkwcEk via @EatingWell ~ #healthyeating #dietandnutrition #Top10Lists pic.twitter.com/esnt1qHmI9

— EverydayExoticSpices (@EverydaySpices) March 12, 2019

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EatingWell publishes a free newsletter and you can receive articles with weight loss tips and healthy recipes. They published a top 10 list of superfoods you can and should eat every day The great thing about this list is there is a superfood (or super drink) that can please everybody in my house. My daughters love tea. My husband loves oranges. And I love sweet potato!

• Nourishing Superfood Bowls: 75 Healthy and Delicious Gluten-Free Meals to Fuel Your Day

#2 Medical Advice About Superfoods

What are #superfoods and why should you eat them? by Megan Ware RDN LD
(Last updated Mon 7 Jan 2019) ~ Excellent article published Medical News Today discusses #Healthbenefits AND #HealthTips for taking #supplements #HealthyEating #diet and #nutrition ~ https://t.co/xvMQFMajYt pic.twitter.com/HbVtJUg2Xc

— EverydayExoticSpices (@EverydaySpices) March 12, 2019

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For contrast and comparison, another listing of superfoods was published via Medical News Today and it shares insightful information about the health benefits and about taking supplements.

• Superfood Kitchen: Cooking with Nature's Most Amazing Foods (Julie Morris's Superfoods)

#3 WARNING: Delicacies Can Be Dangerous!

Top 15 Most Dangerous Foods in the World (Read this before eating) - https://t.co/kdauKXAaiZ ~ "Some of the most dangerous foods on the planet are delicacies in some countries. Prepare them wrong and you can die! Try these foods at your own risk!" #exotic #foodanddrink pic.twitter.com/veqADGZj6e

— EverydayExoticSpices (@EverydaySpices) March 12, 2019

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Many people are blessed to travel the world and get introduced to new foods they have never tasted or even heard of. Here is some advice you should never ignore. In some countries, certain foods may be considered “delicacies” but … “Prepare them wrong and you can die!” Some foods don't even require preparation because they are eaten raw. My first time seeing this fruit was when I visited The Bahamas to meet my husband's parents. I tasted it. It was delicious. So it was a shock to see that star fruit was on this list of "dangerous foods". Who knew?

• Superfoods Cookbook: Book One: 75+ Recipes of Quick & Easy Cooking, Low Fat Cooking, Gluten Free Cooking, Wheat Free Cooking, Low Cholesterol Cooking, ... - weight loss plan for women) (Volume 29)

#4 100 Healthiest Foods ~ Is Your Favorite Food on the List?

100 Healthiest Foods on the Planet | Eat This, Not That! ~ https://t.co/tLSBCmpK78 ~ #HealthyFood #healthyeating #eathealthy #fruitsandveggies @EatThisNotThat pic.twitter.com/MO9wWXQdRx

— EverydayExoticSpices (@EverydaySpices) March 12, 2019

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It's great to review a Top 10 List of healthy foods to eat. But a list of the Top 100 healthy foods gives you more to choose from. That's 10 times YUM! YUM! Pomegranates, one of my favorite fruits is on this list. Spirulina is also on the list. To my surprise, certain meats, like bison, are also on the list.

• Diabetes Superfoods Cookbook and Meal Planner: Power-Packed Recipes and Meal Plans Designed to Help You Lose Weight and Control Your Blood Glucose   

Original source:  Virily.com

Autumn is here! Is a Season Your Reason to Drink Tea?

My coffee addiction often keeps me from drinking and enjoying a cup of tea. But other members of my household love to brew! They are not tea experts (yet!) and are always experimenting with different flavors – from caramel apple to licorice to green tea to black tea to … on and on and on.

Photo by Gabi Miranda on Unsplash

I found an interesting blog post written by Ryan Frey who works as a GO TO tech guy for ShareASale, Inc., an established affiliate marketing network corporation. He not only knows his tech stuff but his office co-workers also think of him as a tea aficionado. He must be. Why else would he suggest drinking tea according to the seasons of the year?  In his post, How To Brew Different Tea Varieties for Fall, he recommended five (5) tips for how to enjoy your tea during the autumn season. All excellent advice.  A quick summary of the tips is below.

• 1. Rooibos or “red tea” ... makes a great neutral base for both sweet and nutty flavors. During the Fall, expect to see flavor blends like chestnut, pumpkin, and chai.
• 2. Black tea is a totally oxidized (but not “fermented” like Pu’erh tea) version of your everyday tea leaves ... like Earl Grey and English Breakfast.
• 3. Green and white teas are more delicate, partially or unoxidized tea leaves and buds. ... often fruity, sweet, and complex.
• 4. Herbal teas or “tisanes” are like rooibos, in that they aren’t from the tea plant at all. They contain alternatives like spices, herbs, flowers, and fruit.
• 5. Try other brewed beverages like Pu’erh tea and Mate.

glitter-graphics.com

Hiware Good Glass Teapot with Stainless Steel Infuser & Lid, Borosilicate Glass Teapots Stovetop Safe, 27 Ounce / 800 ml, Clear

What to get for the tea lover who also loves chocolate? Chocolate tea! Numi Organic Tea Chocolate Rooibos

Source:  Webnuggetz.com

Food Blurb: Herbs and Spices: Za-atar Spice Blend on Flatbread

I just recently discovered Za'atar. My friends from the Middle East say it's very common in their cuisine.

Image credit

Here is a fun fact for foodies.

It is said that evidence of flatbreads has been found at ancient sites in Mesopotamia, ancient Egypt, and the Indus civilization. Also there are historical records that indicate Persian soldiers baked a flatbread on their shields and covered it cheese and dates.

Baked it on their shields? Now that's genius survival skills!

• This food blurb was inspired by a wonderful article published by food blogger, Rana Madanat titled Best Za’atar Manakeesh.

“This manakish with za’atar is a soft, fluffy flatbread topped with a blend of traditional Middle Eastern spices called Za’atar. Za’atar on manakish is a classic combination. The aromatic spices are slightly subdued and perfectly…” — Rana Madanat https://t.co/30LYI0YgID pic.twitter.com/0yfzNyDjrb

— Treathyl Fox (aka cmoneyspinner) ~ #Freelancer (@cmoneyspinner) September 30, 2022

Za'atar (Zatar/Zaatar/Zahtar) Seasoning Blend/Recipe

Buy Za'atar on Amazon

RELATED LINKS:

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Cabbages (Without Kings)

African Food: What is African Salad?

More about Mushrooms

Indian Food for Diabetics

Zucchini Flowers

Japanese Fun Food

Who Invented Chicken Nuggets?

Strawberry Chocolate Cake

Sharing a Soup Recipe That Soup Lovers Will Love

Name the Sexy Spices

Traditional Meal on the Sabbath

The Key Ingredient in Nigerian Food

6 Spices For Indian Cuisine

5 Exotic Spices

100 Healthiest Foods ~ Is Your Favorite Food on the List?

WARNING: Delicacies Can Be Dangerous!

Top 10 List of Superfoods

What Should Kids Drink?

Gourmet Sleuth is an Excellent Cooking Resource

Medical Advice About Super foods

Exotic Fruit: CUCAMELON

A Cultural History Of The Kebab (Reblog)

Awesome article found at a site where I was not even looking for food-related content. Had to share. I'll give you a quick summary below, but by all means please read the article in its entirety.

Article Link: A Cultural History Of The Kebab

QUICK ARTICLE SUMMARY:

• A kebab has its roots in Middle Eastern cuisine.
• The word “kebab” reached the English-speaking world in the 17th century from the Arabic kabāb, in part via Hindustani, Persian and Turkish.
• FYI. “Kebab is normally cooked on a skewer over a fire, but some kebab dishes are made in a pan, in the oven, or even as a stew...”
• FOR THE VEGANS. No worries. There is a “Vebab”, a vegan kebab.
• Gyros Or Kebab? A Lively Debate ~ Middle Eastern food OR Greek by way of Turkey
• Where Did Döner Kebap Come From? 

FINAL QUESTION:  Which Is It, Kebab Or Kebap?

• In Arabic-speaking countries, it's “kebab”.
• In Turkey, it’s “kebap.”

ALL AROUND THE WORLD?? It's just plain old good food! ☺

https://myfoodieluv.tumblr.com/post/684628676916150272/amazing-food-history-a-cultural-history-of-the

Find lots of kebab recipes at My Foodie Luv Tumblr blog.

World Cuisine: Exotic Fruits: Ackee Fruit

Always happy to learn about exotic fruits from around the world.  This post is about the ACKEE FRUIT.  Even though it is a fruit, it is cooked as a vegetable.  It is native to West Africa, but has been cultivated in Jamaica since 1778 when it was brought to the Caribbean by British slave traders.  The Jamaicans liked it so much they made it the country's national fruit and their national dish is ackee with saltfish (or codfish).

WARNING:  Do not eat this fruit in its unripened state as it is poisonous.  However, once ripe, eat only the yellow arilli  which is the edible portion.  The black seeds are always toxic whether the fruit is ripe or unripened.  

NOTE:  If you are unable to buy it fresh, you can also buy canned ackee to use in your recipe.  You can even find it freeze-dried.

 * Ackee and Saltfish Recipe | Serious Eats

* Ackee And Saltfish Recipe #TastyTuesdays | CaribbeanPot   

I was curious to know if there were any West African recipes with this fruit as a main ingredient, but discovered that even though the ackee fruit originates from there, in that part of the world, it is used mainly for medicinal purposes.

** West African Ackee Fruit • We Blog The World

“The ackee tree (Blighia sapida) is indigenous to the tropical forests of West Africa. Although it is not popularly eaten there, it is cultivated in the region for several nonfood uses: Immature fruits are used to make soap; the wood from the tree is termite resistant and used for building;  extracts from the poisonous seeds are taken to treat parasites and are sometimes used as a fish poison;  topical ointment made from crushed ackee leaves is applied to the skin to treat headaches and ulcers. And the Ackee leaves are also good as a fodder for goats.”

Since this food comes with a warning, you might want to know a little bit more.  Below are some additional links of interest.

Ackee - an overview | ScienceDirect Topics

What is Ackee Fruit: How Do You Eat It + 4 Best Ackee Recipes

Ackee Fruit Information, Recipes and Facts | Specialty Produce

Ackee: Wiki facts for this cookery item | Cookipedia

THE POISON THAT JAMAICA LOVES AND AFRICA FEARS | beyondentertainmentblog

Recipe Sharing: My Foodie Luv

Thank you for supporting my foodie blog. Just so you know ... I am active in various other social communities around the web and often share recipes there too. Foodies are everywhere!  One of those communities is called Noise.Cash; and I created a channel there called Recipe Sharing: My Foodie Luv.  Here is a sample of the recipes shared there that I am sure you will enjoy.

Bacon & Fruit Brunch Kabobs

10 Things … About Japanese Food

Blackberry Salsa Recipe

Chicken Bite Recipes

Chocolate-Dipped Ice Cream Tacos

Cool Summer Salads

Friesor Chips?

Fuyu Persimmon Diospyros kaki 'Fuyu

Gulab Jamun Shrikhand Bowls

Healthy appetizers

Japanese Sauces

Korean Barbecue Party

Kunafeh, Middle East's Fave Cheese Delight

Mango Lassi Popsicles

Mediterranean Lemon Chicken Pasta Salad

Mexican Recipes

Non-AlcoholicMango Mojito

Pink Peppercorn-Viola Shortbread

Puff Pastry Apricot Blueberry Tart

Refreshing Yellow Watermelon

Roasted Cranberry & Brie Grilled Cheese

Scorzonera or Black Salsify

SuperfoodsFor a Healthy Mood

TAHOIS MADE WITH TOFU

Tapas originated in Spain

My Foodie Luv First Food Experiences: Veggie Burger

Veggie burgers look like burgers but they don't contain meat. Do you remember the first time you ate a veggie burger?

Can you remember your first veggie burger experience? I can remember mine. I ran away!  Me? Eat a meatless burger? I think not!

I was working at a state hospital and there was a small restaurant open for breakfast and lunch. Most of the employees and managers ate there. On a certain day of the week, the owner’s special was soy burgers. The burgers looked delicious! I would have eaten it too if she (the owner/manager) had not casually mentioned before I was about to order that it was a meatless burger.

I’m like: No beef! It’s a hamburger with no meat! Forget about it!

She laughed at my reaction and told me that so many people would order those soy burgers that she would run out of them. She never had enough to serve all the customers. If I had not seen it with my own eyes I would have thought she was just kidding me. But she wasn’t kidding! Her customers really loved those veggie burgers. But I wasn’t convinced.

Fast forward about 10 to 15 years later and for personal reasons, major dietary changes had to be made for the sake of a certain family member. I found myself not having to choose whether I would eat a veggie burger, but what kind of veggie burger was I going to eat? Oh my! There are only thousands of recipes and several brands in the store that you can buy ready-made.

Me personally, I like veggie burgers made with mushrooms. They at least have a “meaty” taste. Several years have passed and now I’m perfectly OK with eating veggie burgers. Of course, they don’t taste like a hamburger. But they don’t taste nearly as awful as I imagined that they would. I don’t know what I was thinking when I worked at the state hospital. After all veggie burgers are made out of foods I usually eat anyway: beans, chickpeas, mushrooms, nuts, oats. The only difference is they shape those foods into a patty to make it look like a burger. Duh!

It’s so true. You eat with your mind. LOL.

Do you have a favorite veggie burger?

The 12 Best Veggie Burger Recipes | The Spruce Eats

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Like to know about some of my other “First Food Experiences”?

• Bagels

• Eggplant

• Baked Potato Topping

• Roasted Pig (Lechòn)

• Zucchini Muffins

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Content published elsewhere on the web.

Healthy Food Trends and Eating Habits for Life!

This article (link below) was published over a year ago via Consumer Reports. I am a firm believer that what might be a food trend one year could become a regular healthy eating habit that same year and beyond.

Healthy Food Trends to Watch for in 2019

~ It's a brand new year! Why not evaluate this list and determine if you have incorporated any of these healthy food trends for 2019 into your healthy eating habits.

Non-Dairy Milks? 

CHECK! I live with family members who are lactose-intolerant. They have to drink non-dairy milks. I drink it cause I like the taste.

Mindful Eating?

Uhh … ??? It's a dietary approach. I'm going to have to do a little more research.

Mindful Eating 101 — A Beginner’s Guide | Healthline

8 steps to mindful eating - Harvard Health

Chickpeas?

CHECK! I started eating chickpeas in the 70s when my university roommate took me to my first salad bar at a restaurant. They made a great addition to a salad. I learned later that you could also put them in soups and make hummus with them. On top of that, the nutritionists say they're good for me? Score!

Chayote?

I live in Texas and our grocery store gets a lot of their produce from Mexico. It's not that expensive to buy. Chayote is a squash that is used in Mexican cuisine. We eat a lot of Mexican food in Texas. (Also used in Jamaican and Brazilian cuisine.)  My only excuse is that … Ummm? I got nothing! I don't have an excuse. I've just never tried this veggie in a recipe. Have you?

10 Impressive Benefits of Chayote Squash

Learn About Chayote Squash : Article - GourmetSleuth

Chayote with Tomato and Green Chile Recipe | SimplyRecipes.com

Sautéed Chayote Squash Recipe | The Spruce Eats

Plant 'Meat'?

CHECK! Everybody is doing it. Right? Well not everybody, but I am. To my surprise, I like the taste. In my personal case, my late husband had to change his diet because of a health condition. I wasn't going to prepare separate meals. One his way and one my way. So I started eating his way. His way was incorporating plant 'meat' into his diet. He's gone now. But I'm OK with still eating meat alternatives.

By the way, you can use chickpeas to make burgers.

Easiest Vegan Chickpea Burgers - Loving It Vegan

Foods for Sensitive Stomachs?

This is not a problem for me. My stomach is lined with iron. But I did learn an interesting food fact. “FODMAP” means fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides, and polyols. Evidently FOMAP foods are big in Australia. I live in the USA. We're starting to come around.

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So have you incorporated any of these 2019 healthy food trends into your diet?

If not, here's another consumer report:

9 Ways to Follow a Healthier Diet in 2020

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I'm no food expert, dietician, nutritionist, or professional in the food industry. I just like writing about my foodie adventures. You can find some more of my writings at My Foodie Luv (my Medium publication) and Food Ways (this blog).

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Would you happen to be interested in pesto?

I’m very proud of this article. It was accepted for publication at Vocal.Media and was selected as a Vocal Staff Pick and featured.

Welcome to the Wonderful World of Pesto

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Original source

World Cuisine: Easy Dessert Recipe: Malpua

Do you love experimenting and tasting the food of other countries? Especially the desserts. Yum!

I'm sure I'm not the only foodie out there who loves global flavors. So I'll share this delightful recipe. It's a sweet treat popular in India, Nepal, and Bangladesh. Malpua is often served at holidays or festivals like Holi and Diwali.

You can find lots of variations of this recipe online. There is malpua served with rose and saffron syrup. There’s Bengali style. There’s banana malpua. There’s Mawa Malpua. (Image below.)

Cooking video: How To Make Malpua - Dessert Recipes



Related Link: How to make mawa - 5 ways of making mawa.

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If You Like This You Might Also Like:

• Sampling Fast Food World Cuisine is a Fun Do!
• Can You Name 5 British Desserts? (NO Googling!)
• Recipe for a Refreshing Summer Drink Made With Mango and Chia Seeds

Why is Changing Your Eating and Drinking Habits So Challenging?

Over the years you become so accustomed to certain food and drink, that a suggested change in your diet isn't a change ... it's a challenge!

Hope you’re in the mood for some delightful foodie humor. Here goes.

When you have developed certain eating and drinking habits over the years, you think that either you will absolutely never change your ways OR you reluctantly make the change while whining about how hard it is to change. But once you make that change … which is usually for the better … your body (and mind) adapt so easily that you wonder why you thought it would be difficult.

Has that happened to you? It has happened in my life so many times.

I talked about my first food experience with veggie burgers in another post.

Several years before that experience, I told a friend that I would never eat meatless spaghetti. I used my kids as an excuse and said they would never agree with that change in the menu. Truth is I had never even tried to get them to eat it. I just assumed they wouldn't. Several years later, my daughters took over some of my meal preparation duties and decided that they were perfectly OK with meatless spaghetti. Served it with garlic bread and a huge salad and they were happy! Well! There went my excuse. LOL. The meal is great! To my surprise, I don't mind meatless spaghetti at all! And of course, my objection to a plate of meatless spaghetti was totally ridiculous. After all, I'll eat a large plate of vegetable lo mein without batting an eye. And what is lo mein? DUH!

Image Credit:  Amazon.com

My latest dietary change pertains to drinking less coffee and consuming more tea. I think back again to that same friend, who was my office mate. She drank tea religiously while I consumed gallons of coffee. Once again, my daughters decided that they would become tea drinkers instead of coffee lovers. Hey, wait a minute! Is this a conspiracy? LOL.

I am not a total convert. I still have to have my daily dose of java. But I am enjoying experimenting with the various flavors of teas that my kids purchase from the local grocery store and also making my own teas with herbs and spices in the kitchen cabinet. Teas have numerous medicinal purposes and lots of health benefits. On top of that, tea tastes good and some teapots are really pretty!

Have you been challenged to make any dietary changes?

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If You Like This You Might Also Like:

Food and Drink History: The Evolution of Tea

How to Pimp Up A Glass of Water

Source: My Foodie Luv newsletter