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Cooking And Coping is a series by @HungryEditor profiling people on what they are cooking and how they are coping in this world of social distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic.
May Lee
Courtesy of Leslie Rockitter
May Lee is a Long Beach, California based broadcast journalist that has been working for 30 years as an anchor, host, correspondent, and producer for networks such as CNN, CNBC Asia, and Oxygen Media, founded by Oprah Winfrey. Lee is the host and executive producer of “The May Lee Show” in partnership with NextShark, the leading Asian news source on the web. In addition, Lee is an adjunct professor at USC’s Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism, and author of May Lee Live and In Person: It All Begins With Passion. Lee is also the founder and CEO of Lotus Media House. You can follow her on Instagram: @themayleeshow and @mayhlee.
Benjamin Liong Setiawan: What recipe are you loving right now?
May Lee: Bi Bim Bop and Cucumber Kimchee.
Bi Bim Bop and Cucumber Kimchee by May Lee
Courtesy of May Lee
Bi Bim Bop and Cucumber Kimchee
Cooked White Rice
Vegetables of choice. The photo has the following: Baby Carrots (raw), shaved Brussels Sprouts (lightly steamed), dried Seaweed that’s been soaked, large English Cucumber or 2-3 small Persian Cucumbers.
Firm Tofu
Seared Salmon
Sesame Oil
Gochujang (Korean Red Pepper Paste)
Gochugaru (Korean Ground Red Pepper)
Apple Cider or White Vinegar
Sugar or Sweetener (I use Stevia)
Alternate protein options: Bulgogi (Korean Marinated Beef), Fried Egg
- Cucumber kimchee should be made in advance. The longer it marinates/ferments, the better. Slice cucumbers into round pieces, place into container and drizzle with 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar, sprinkle 1-2 tablespoon of Gochugaru pepper, and a dash of sugar or sweetener.
- Sauce for Bi Bim Bop: Mix one scoop of Gochujang paste with a dash of vinegar, some sesame oil and sugar (or sweetener). Add a little water if you want it more sauce-like.
- Cook white rice in rice cooker or use stove top method in a pot.
- Slice carrots into thin strips and slightly drizzle with sesame oil.
- Steam Brussels sprouts (I like to buy them already shaved) and drizzle with sesame oil.
- Cut tofu into small squares and lightly panfry.
- Sear salmon in a frying pan.
- Scoop white rice (amount is up to you) into a large bowl.
- Neatly place carrots, Brussels sprouts, tofu, softened seaweed, and salmon on top of the rice.
- Put a dollop of Gochujang sauce on top and then mix everything together thoroughly.
- Enjoy the Bi Bim Bop with the cucumber kimchee.
Note: Traditional Bi Bim Bop uses beef and is topped off with a fried egg.
Setiawan: How did you come across this recipe?
Lee: I grew up with this dish. It’s a staple for Koreans so every Korean knows this dish very well and nearly every Korean restaurant will serve Bi Bim Bop.
Setiawan: What do you love about this recipe?
Lee: What’s great about this dish is that you can use whatever ingredients you choose. Bi Bim Bop literally means mixed rice so you can be as creative as you want and it’s really very healthy.
Setiawan: Any special memories connected to this recipe?
Lee: Just like so many of us, certain dishes like this one for me reminds me of my mom who is such an amazing cook. I was so blessed to have home cooked Korean food every day when I was growing up. I actually sent my mom a photo of this dish and she said, “looks good!”
Setiawan: Once people are able to meet up IRL again, who is the first person you want to make this recipe for?
Lee: Well, I’ve been promising my friends that I would cook Korean food for them for years and I haven’t had a chance, so that’s probably what I’ll do once we’re all free!!
Setiawan: What are some ways you’re coping with our new world of spending more time indoors and social distancing?
Lee: This crisis is the biggest story I have ever covered in my 30 years as a journalist and believe me, I have seen and experienced a lot of stunning events around the world. So, I’ve been busy trying to talk about this pandemic from all different angles on my show, particularly how it’s been affecting the Asian community due to growing xenophobia. When I’m not working, I’ve picked up meditating thanks to Oprah and Deepak Chopra’s 21 day program. I’m also taking the time to have long, substantive, fulfilling talks with friends and family…something that most of use don’t get the opportunity to do when life was “normal” because we’re all so “busy.”
Setiawan: What are you doing to stay sane?
Lee: Depends on how you define “sane.” LOL! Seriously though, besides staying physically active and maintaining some sort of schedule (e.g. waking up at the same time, walking my dogs, doing some work), I’m trying to practice gratitude in earnest. Grateful for this moment. Grateful for friends and family. Grateful for having purpose. But I’ll be honest, a glass of wine or champagne once in awhile definitely helps maintain sanity!
Setiawan: What are you doing to stay creative?
Lee: I read anything and everything. That’s the journalist in me. I’m also experimenting a lot with my show, which gives me an outlet to be more expressive, more myself, and a lot more courageous. The feedback has been great, so I think I’m on the right track.
Setiawan: What are you doing to stay connected?
Lee: Thank God for Zoom (I’m glad they’re working on better security), Skype, WhatsApp, Kakao, and the phone. The fact that I’m talking and connecting with people that I haven’t spoken to in a long time is really a gift. Isn’t it amazing how a global crisis has brought people together in ways we could have never imagined?
Setiawan: What gives you hope?
Lee: The acts of kindness and compassion that we’re seeing everyday give me incredible hope in humanity. But I also am amazed by the rejuvenation of nature. Earth is healing itself before our very eyes because of this pandemic and it proves that this glorious planet has an incredible ability to regenerate if we just give it a chance. I really hope humans will learn something from this and change our ways for the better for the sake of all that is beautiful in this world.
Setiawan: What are you learning from all of this?
Lee: Definitely learning that we are all the same…truly. We’re being stripped of all the layers of pride, arrogance, power, money, position, and being forced to look at ourselves and our actions. It’s pretty powerful and I, myself, want to come out of this with much more humility, gratitude, and compassion.
Setiawan: What changes do you hope to see in the future?
Lee: I hope for more compassion, more understanding, more generosity, more empathy, more respect for the planet. I hope we all realize that we took a lot of things for granted before. We should take time to appreciate what we have in our lives and how we can change for the better.
Setiawan: What rhythms are you implementing during this time?
Lee: Besides working out on a regular basis to keep my body and mind healthy, I’m tapping into my spirituality on a deeper level through prayer and contemplation. I’m also listening to more music and, sometimes, having my own little dance party at night. It’s such a great way to release stress and express some joy.
Setiawan: What projects are you working on?
Lee: “The May Lee Show” is a weekly (sometimes more often) show that’s in podcast form, which can be found on all major podcast platforms as well as in video from on YouTube.
Setiawan: What has been the most surprising?
Lee: How I’ve been able to adapt to this new reality in terms of using technology for work and personal connection. Also, even though I knew this before, I’ve been surprised that I was capable of loving my two dogs even more. They have become uncertified therapy dogs for sure!
Setiawan: What has been the most inspiring?
Lee: All the heroes on the front lines…doctors, nurses, first responders. And those who are trying to keep our lives going…delivery people, grocery workers, postal workers, restauranteurs. All the scientists and researchers scrambling to develop vaccines and therapies. They all deserve our support and gratitude.
