Lamb Bulgogi with Asian Pear Dipping Sauce

Ingredients for Lamb Bulgogi with Asian Pear Dipping Sauce

• 4 spring onions, coarsely chopped

• 3 tablespoons sugar

• 3 garlic cloves, coarsely chopped

• 1 2-inch piece fresh ginger, peeled, cut into thin rounds

• 160ml soy sauce

• 160ml mirin (sweet Japanese rice wine)

• 80ml Asian sesame oil

• 2 tablespoons toasted sesame seeds

• 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

• 1 boned butterflied leg of lamb (about 2.5kg

• from one 6 1/2- to 3.2kg bone-in leg), trimmed of excess fat

• 240ml chopped peeled cored Asian pear (about 1/2 large)

• 10 spring onions

• 2 chopped, 8 trimmed

• 120ml soy sauce

• 120ml mirin (sweet Japanese rice wine)

• 3 tablespoons sugar

• 45ml Asian sesame oil

• 4 tablespoons toasted sesame seeds, divided

• Nonstick vegetable oil spray

• 8 jalapeño chillies, halved (seeded, if desired)

• 8 garlic cloves, peeled

• 80g kochujang (Korean hot pepper paste)

• 1 large head of butter lettuce, leaves separated and left whole

• Ingredient info: Mirin is sold in the Asian foods section of some supermarkets and at Japanese markets. Kochujang is a spicy red paste made with pureed fermented soybeans (miso) and hot chillies. It's available at Korean markets and online from koamart.com. If you can't find Kochujang, substitute 80ml miso mixed with 2 tablespoons sriracha hot sauce.

• Test-Kitchen tip: Ask your butcher to bone, butterfly, and trim the leg of lamb for you. Save the bone, pop it in the freezer, and use it to make soup or stock.

• 3 metal skewers or bamboo skewers soaked in water at least 1 hour

How to make Lamb Bulgogi with Asian Pear Dipping Sauce

Place spring onions, sugar, chopped garlic, and sliced ginger in processor and blend until finely chopped, stopping occasionally to scrape down sides of bowl. Transfer mixture to medium bowl. Add soy sauce, mirin, Asian sesame oil, toasted sesame seeds, and black pepper; whisk marinade to blend. Pour 240ml marinade into 15x10x2-inch glass baking dish. Open boned leg of lamb like book; add to baking dish, arranging in single layer. Pour remaining marinade over lamb, spreading to cover evenly. Cover and refrigerate at least 4 hours and up to 1 day, turning lamb occasionally.

Puree Asian pear and chopped spring onions in processor until smooth. Add soy sauce, mirin, and sugar and process until sugar dissolves. Add Asian sesame oil and 2 tablespoons toasted sesame seeds; process until sesame oil is incorporated (most sesame seeds will remain intact). Transfer sauce to 2-cup measuring cup. Season sauce to taste with salt and pepper. DO AHEAD: Dipping sauce can be made 1 day ahead. Cover and refrigerate.

Coat grill rack with nonstick spray; prepare barbecue (medium heat). Thread jalapeño chilli halves onto 2 metal skewers, dividing equally. Thread garlic cloves onto another metal skewer, spacing slightly apart. Place jalapeño and garlic skewers on plate and set aside.

Remove lamb from marinade and place on prepared grill with some marinade still clinging to surface (discard marinade in dish). Grill lamb until meat is cooked to desired doneness, about 15 to 20 minutes per side for medium (if lamb begins to burn, slide large sheet of heavy-duty aluminum foil underneath and continue to grill). Transfer lamb to work surface and let rest 10 minutes.

While lamb rests, grill jalapeños, garlic, and trimmed spring onions until slightly charred and tender, 3 to 4 minutes per side. Transfer to work surface.

Place kochujang (hot pepper paste) in small bowl. Stir dipping sauce and divide among 8 small dishes. Arrange butter lettuce leaves on large serving platter to cover. Thinly slice grilled lamb and arrange over lettuce leaves. Cut garlic cloves lengthwise in half. Cut spring onions into 2-inch pieces. Arrange jalapeños, garlic, and spring onions around lamb. Sprinkle remaining 2 tablespoons toasted sesame seeds over lamb. Serve grilled lamb and vegetables with hot pepper paste. Allow guests to spread very small amounts of kochujang over lettuce leaves, arrange lamb and vegetables in lettuce leaves, then wrap filling with lettuce leaves and dip into sauce.

Disclaimer

While every effort has been made to ensure the information is accurate and up to date, individual needs may vary and dietary requirements can differ based on personal health conditions. Always check food labels and allergen information before preparing or consuming any recipe. If you have specific health concerns, allergies, intolerances, or are following a medically prescribed diet, seek advice from your GP, pharmacist, or a registered dietitian before making significant changes to your diet or lifestyle.