Bibimbap with beef, winter squash, spinach and cucumber

1. Marinate the beef. Mix together the soy sauce, sesame oil, sesame seeds, garlic, ginger, scallions and pepper and toss with the sliced beef. Refrigerate for 30 minutes.

2. Mix together the rice vinegar, sesame oil, garlic, scallions, sesame seeds and salt to taste in a small bowl or measuring cup. Add red pepper paste if desired. Set aside.

3. While the beef is marinating, toss the cucumber with salt to taste and place in a colander in the sink for 15 to 30 minutes. Rinse and squeeze dry. Place in a bowl and toss with 2 teaspoons of the vinegar and sesame oil mixture. Set aside in the refrigerator.

4. Steam the squash over an inch of boiling water until tender, about 10 minutes. Remove from the heat and toss in a bowl with 1 tablespoon of the vinegar and sesame oil mixture. Add salt or soy sauce to taste.

5. Wash the spinach and wilt in a large frying pan over high heat. Remove from the heat, press out excess water and toss in a bowl with 1 tablespoon of the vinegar and sesame oil mixture.

6. Heat a wok or large, heavy skillet over medium-high heat until a drop of water evaporates immediately on contact. Add the canola oil. Stir-fry the beef for 3 to 5 minutes, until lightly browned, and remove to a plate. Add the shiitakes to the pan, let sit without stirring for 1 minute, then stir-fry for another minute or two, until tender. Remove to a plate.

7. Fry the eggs in the hot pan or in a separate nonstick skillet until the whites are set and the yolks are still runny. Season with salt and pepper.

8. Heat 4 wide soup bowls. Place a mound of hot grains in the middle of each one and surround with the meat and vegetables, as well as kimchi if desired, each ingredient in its own little pile. Place a fried egg and a small spoonful of chili paste on top of the rice and garnish with the toasted nori and sesame seeds. Serve at once. Diners should break the egg into the rice. Pass the chili paste and add more as desired.

9. Note: You can also arrange the food on a large platter and serve family style.

10. Advance preparation: You can do this in whatever order is convenient for you. The grains can be cooked ahead and reheated. The cucumbers, spinach and squash can all be prepared ahead and refrigerated, then reheated before serving. It’s best to cook the beef and mushrooms just before serving so they’re nice and hot. But since this is often a way to use leftovers, you can also reheat.