Galbi-jjim (soy-braised beef short ribs)

Galbi-jjim is the celebration dish of Korean holidays and family gatherings: beef short ribs braised slowly in sweet soy sauce until they fall off the bone, with radish, carrot, chestnuts and jujubes (Korean dates) that soak up the sauce. Soak the ribs in cold water first to draw out the blood, then boil them briefly and rinse. This keeps the sauce clean and glossy. Grated pear both sweetens and tenderises the meat. It reheats beautifully, so it is worth making a day ahead: chill it and lift off the fat before warming.