Morkovcha, a Korean carrot salad

Thanks to the YouTube channel "My Name is Andong", I am making this Korean carrot salad because I have all the ingredients in stock. If you want to learn about why this salad exists everywhere else except in Korea, watch the video. This recipe comes from the Korean cookbook, "Korean Cooking Favorites" by Hyegyoung K. Ford.

1 lb carrot
1 tsp kosher salt
1 1/2 tbsp sugar
2 tbsp white vinegar
1/2 tbsp Korean chili flakes (gochugaru), or 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper + 1 tsp paprika
3 tbsp oil
1 tbsp minced garlic

Instructions 

Peel the carrots and cut them into thin strips using a mandolin, vegetable slicer, or a sharp knife. Put the julienned carrots in a mixing bowl, sprinkle with salt, and let them sit for 10 minutes to wilt.

Mix in the sugar, vinegar, and gochugaru (Korean chili flakes). If gochugaru is unavailable, use a combination of cayenne pepper and paprika. Toss everything together well.

In a small pot, heat the oil over medium-low heat and sauté the garlic until it becomes aromatic, ensuring it doesn’t burn. Pour the hot garlic oil over the carrots and mix thoroughly.

The salad can be served immediately or chilled in the fridge for 2 hours to enhance the flavors. For storage, this carrot salad can be kept in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.

Baked Eggplant

Either type of eggplant can be used: the aubergine (big fat eggplant, usually sold by itself) or the Chinese eggplant (long slender eggplant, usually sold by the pound).

Preheat oven to 400 F.

Ingredients
1 medium aubergine eggplant or 3 Chinese eggplants, sliced
2 tbsp olive oil
water
aged balsamic vinegar
sesame oil or toasted sesame oil

Directions

Wash and remove stem(s) from eggplant.

Slice eggplant into half inch strips or cubes. Toss with olive oil. Place eggplant in baking dish.

Add about a half inch or less of water to the baking dish. This is so that the bottom and edges of the eggplant don't burn.

Bake for 45 minutes.

Toss baked eggplant with balsamic vinegar and sesame oil. Serve as you would a vegetable side dish.