Happy Chuseok!
Chuseok is also known as mid-autumn festival. It’s basically like our version of Thanksgiving and with a big holiday like this, there’s always big food! Modeum jeon is a platter of fritters served at parties, holidays, and celebrations. There are so many different types of jeon so we’re making all of them. Just kidding – we’ll make just three for today 🙂
This recipe is so versatile, you can make it your own! Some versions use ground shrimp or pork, but I opted to ground beef for this since it’s my mom’s favorite. Stuffed in sesame leaves, zucchinis, and peppers, there’s sure to be one for everyone’s taste. Happy mid-autumn festival! DUBU KIMCHI
Some tips from the kitchen
- Jeon is a general and versatile term for “battering and pan-frying”. If you look up jeon on Google, the most popular version you’ll see is probably some kind of savory pancake. But this is a different kind of jeon, more popular for the old-school folks.
- Ground beef can be substituted for ground shrimp, pork, or chicken.
- When battering, make sure you tap off any excess flour. This will ensure the egg wash to stay on and create that essential jeon texture and flavor.
Ingredients
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8 oz. Ground Beef
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1/4 Onion, chopped
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2 Garlic Cloves, minced
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1 tbsp. Soy Sauce
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1/2 tbsp. Sesame Oil
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1/2 tbsp. Sugar
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Salt and Pepper, to taste
Batter
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1 cup AP Flour
-
3 Eggs, beaten
-
Splash of Water
Vegetables
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7-8 Sesame/Perilla Leaves
- 6 Red/Green Peppers, halved and de-seeded
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1 Zucchini, sliced
Instructions
1. Combine ground beef, onions, garlic, soy sauce, sesame oil, sugar, salt, and pepper to taste. Mix gently until it comes together (don’t overwork the beef!)
2. Make a little test patty with the filling and adjust any seasoning if needed.
3. Slice peppers in half long ways and de-seed.
4. Cut zucchini into thin rings (~0.5 cm). Place zucchini rings on a paper towel, sprinkle salt, and place another paper towel to draw out any moisture. (Optional: using a ring mold or cap, punch out the center of any larger zucchini slices).
5. Using an off-set spatula or butter knife, stuff peppers, zucchinis, and perilla/sesame leaves with the ground beef filling.
6. Coat the stuffed vegetables in flour, making sure to tap off any excess. Then coat with egg wash.
7. Pan fry in batches, making sure not to overcrowd the pan (~2 minutes each side).
8. Drain on a paper towel and serve immediately.
Modeum Jeon (Fritter Platter)
Ingredients
- 8 oz. Ground Beef
- 1/4 Onion chopped
- 2 Garlic Cloves minced
- 1 tbsp. Soy Sauce
- 1/2 tbsp. Sesame Oil
- 1/2 tbsp. Sugar
- Salt and Pepper to taste
Batter
- 1 cup AP Flour
- 3 Eggs beaten
- Splash of Water
Vegetables
- 7-8 Sesame/Perilla Leaves
- 6 Red/Green Peppers halved and de-seeded
- 1 Zucchini sliced
Instructions
- Combine ground beef, onions, garlic, soy sauce, sesame oil, sugar, salt, and pepper to taste. Mix gently until it comes together (don't overwork the beef!)
- Make a little test patty with the filling and adjust any seasoning if needed.
- Slice peppers in half long ways and de-seed.
- Cut zucchini into thin rings (~0.5 cm). Place zucchini rings on a paper towel, sprinkle salt, and place another paper towel to draw out any moisture. (Optional: using a ring mold or cap, punch out the center of any larger zucchini slices).
- Using an off-set spatula or butter knife, stuff peppers, zucchinis, and perilla/sesame leaves with the ground beef filling.
- Coat the stuffed vegetables in flour, making sure to tap off any excess. Then coat with egg wash.
- Pan fry in batches, making sure not to overcrowd the pan (~2 minutes each side).
- Drain on a paper towel and serve immediately.