4 recipes to beat the heat with Korean beef and global flavors

The Hanwoo Board of Korea has proposed a "global culinary travel" recipe series to help restore energy during the summer heat.

Hanwoo is rich in essential nutrients easily depleted through summer sweating, including protein, iron and B vitamins, the board said Friday. For those looking to revive a heat-dulled appetite, it recommends hanwoo carpaccio, an Italian-style appetizer that offers a familiar yet fresh experience similar to yukhoe, Korea's traditional raw beef dish.

To prepare it, thinly slice hanwoo top round and top with arugula, Parmesan cheese and minced pickled plum. Finish with a dressing of lemon juice, Dijon mustard, olive oil and honey. No cooking is required, making it easy to prepare even in the height of summer.

For a more substantial energy boost, the board suggests hanwoo tomato beef stew, a Spanish-style home-cooked dish. It is made by slow-simmering hanwoo brisket or shank with tomatoes, assorted vegetables and herbs, delivering lycopene from the tomatoes alongside the nutrients of the vegetables.

Those seeking a more adventurous culinary experience can try hanwoo kofta, a Middle Eastern minced-meat dish. Ground hanwoo is mixed with onion and spices, shaped into elongated patties and grilled — a method similar to that used for tteokgalbi or donggeurangttaeng, Korean-style grilled meat patties. Wrapping the kofta in pita bread or pairing it with tzatziki sauce adds an exotic depth of flavor.

Hanwoo char kway teow brings the flavors of Southeast Asia to the table with minimal effort. Wide rice noodles are stir-fried quickly with hanwoo sirloin, bean sprouts and egg in a galbi-seasoned sauce, yielding a dish that balances the crunch of fresh vegetables with a smoky wok char.

"Using hanwoo in global recipes opens up a whole new culinary experience," said chef Kim Ho-yun. "Hanwoo's rich juiciness and savory umami pair beautifully with exotic ingredients."