Beef Sukiyaki (Japanese hot pot)

Sometimes I'm amazed at just how much comfort one simple dish can bring to me. Tonight's dinner, Sukiyaki, did just that.

To say that I've been stressed out lately is abit of an understatement at the moment. I've actually had a pretty rough week, which all began on Thursday with the arrival of unusually wild Santa Ana wind conditions. We endured a rather terrifying night as strong gusts of wind, some hurricane force, wreaked major havoc in the Los Angeles area, particularly in the San Gabriel Valley where I live. Huge trees were uprooted all over, power was lost in many areas, property damage was widespread and schools were closed for a couple of days. My home, being older, sustained quite a bit of roof damage and this whole bout of bad luck just couldn't have come at a worst time, especially with Christmas right around the corner.

Huge trees toppled and uprooted by the Nov. 30 windstorm.
Photo by Sunny Sun.

Needless to say, I've got alot going on in my head at the moment as I try to sort out the financial burden of this situation in addition to dealing with work, my homeowners insurance, repairs, clean up (yes, still picking up bits of debris) and setting up my Christmas to-do list. Do you ever feel like you have so much to do and don't know where to start? That's me at the moment.


In times like these, the simplest things in life bring me such great comfort. Having a laugh with the kids over something silly. Rubbing my dog's belly while her little left leg starts the thumping motion. A Harry Potter movie marathon on Starz. Having a piece of outrageously good dark chocolate. And settling down to dinner with Sukiyaki on the table. All of a sudden, things seem much better.


BEEF SUKIYAKI
Serves 4.


Sukiyaki is a Japanese soup/stew dish that is typically cooked at the dinner table. It is similar to shabu shabu but uses a broth that is a little sweeter. It consists of thinly sliced beef (or sometimes pork) accompanied by vegetables and mushrooms that are simmered in a sweet and savory broth. Although it is traditionally cooked in a sukiyaki pot, you can also use a large, deep skillet or pan. It is a quick and easy dish to put together on weeknights and cooks up in just minutes.


You can purchase pre-sliced beef at most Asian grocery stores. They are usually labeled "shabu shabu beef". You could also prepare the meat on your own by partially freezing well marbled steak (such as rib eye) prior to cutting with a very sharp knife. The slices should be as close to paper thin as possible.

Pre-sliced beef for sukiyaki or shabu shabu.

Broth ingredients:
2 cups of water
3/4 cup soy sauce
1/4 cup mirin
1/4 cup sake
1/4 cup sugar


Sukiyaki ingredients (use what you like and as much or as little of each as you'd like):
Thinly sliced, well marbled beef
Napa cabbage, chopped
Onions, sliced
Green onions, cut on the bias
Fresh shiitake mushrooms, stems removed, left whole or halved
Enoki mushrooms, bottoms removed and cleaned
Bean sprouts
Firm tofu, sliced
Udon noodles or soba noodles
Beaten egg for dipping (optional)


Method:

Prepare all the ingredients.

Combine the broth ingredients in a pot and
bring to a boil for  about 2 to 3 minutes.

Heat the skillet over high heat.
Lay the beef slices down in a single layer and brown one side, then the other.
When they're done, push the cooked beef to one side then lay more slices down.
Once all the beef has been browned, add the broth to the pan and bring to simmer.

Add the remaining ingredients by grouping them into neat sections.
I had some leftover (albeit dinged) hard boiled eggs so they went in as well.
Top with the sliced  green onions.

Cover with a lid and simmer on medium heat for about 5 to 10 minutes
or until all the vegetables are tender.

Serve with rice or more noodles.