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NEML to host Korean meal Feb. 8

NEML to host Korean meal Feb. 8

Korean Spirit and Culture Promotion Project Director Kyung Won Pak and Program Coordinator Younhee Shin are among members organizing meals at some of thousands of presentations around the world, one of which will include a free Korean meal at the NorthEast-Millerton Library on Saturday, Feb. 8 from noon to 1:45 p.m.

Photo by Robert Hahn

MILLERTON — Korean neighbors from Flushing will be coming to the NorthEast-Millerton Library Annex on Saturday, Feb. 8, from noon to 1:45 p.m. to share a taste of their food and culture.

Project coordinator Yon Kin said the visitors are members of the Korean Spirit and Culture Promotion Project, a worldwide non-profit started in 2005 as a way of “showing gratitude to countries which helped” Korea during that country’s conflict.

The members will bring a free homemade meal of Korean dishes, served on traditional table settings of Bangjja — hand-forged bronzeware. The meal will also include two dishes that will be prepared in a hands-on demonstration during the event. Recipes will be provided during a general discussion of Korean food, approximately 70% of which is based on fermentation.

The tentative menu for the meal will include Kimchi salad; Bibimbap, rice with mixed vegetables; Bulgogi, soy sauce and honey marinated beef; Japchae, seafood pancake, sweet potato noodles with mixed vegetables; and Kimchi.

Refreshments will consist of honey glazed walnuts, sesame cookies, rice cake and sweet rice punch — Sikhye.

Aimed at a non-Korean audience, two short documentaries — as well as some complimentary books — will give further information about the food, culture and history of Korea.

Library Director Rhiannon Leo-Jameson says the program is the second from the Koren culture promoters that provided a popular Zoom Lotus Lantern Workshop two years ago.

She noted the event is part of the Library’s mission to “provide cultural and educational resources to the community,” adding that a number of Library patrons are interested in food preparation and in having the opportunity to watch someone demonstrate procedures.

She said this event will replace the February Community Dinner. The limited reservations are due by Feb. 4 and may be made at nemillertonlibrary.org.

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