Beef Bourguignon and the Grill Gauntlet
Alright, Beef Bourguignon. After a bit of rest to recharge, it was time to get serious about dinner prep. I opened the icebox, and there they were—the glistening premium cuts of meat. A whopping 2 million won's worth. The kind of high-grade Hanwoo beef that, if I were buying it with my own money, would've had my hand shaking as I added and removed it from the cart a dozen times. Sirloin, ribeye, tenderloin, short rib...
Ha... this must be the taste of capitalism.
That thrilling rush when I swiped the corporate card. No worries about the limit, ignoring the price tags entirely—pure dopamine hit. And the garnishes: button mushrooms, bell peppers, asparagus, mini cabbages...
...But when the hell did I prep all this?
A happy scream escaped me involuntarily. But tonight's real star wasn't the grill. I pulled out the prized sirloin chunk I'd stashed deep in the box.
Whew... is this basically a crime?
Premium grilling sirloin, obviously top-shelf. And tonight, I was using it for a stew. Beef Bourguignon. A French-style stew slow-simmered with red wine, beef, and veggies. Think sweet-and-sour tenderness like fancy braised short ribs—spot on.
Honestly, not the most practical camp dish...
Tons of ingredients, long cook time. And it takes serious hands-on work. Even at home, it's too much hassle most days. On a deserted island? No way I'd normally bother. But... free top-tier ingredients? Pass up a chance to go all out? Not when it costs me nothing.
I rolled up my sleeves and dove in. That's when O Seokgyun sauntered over.
"Areum, need a hand with anything?"
He looked like he was itching for something to do. Sitting idle must've felt awkward. Perfect timing—I could use the extra hands.
"Oh, oppa. Right on cue. Mind slicing some meat?"
"Meat? Leave it to me."
O Seokgyun grabbed a knife with gusto. I plopped the sirloin chunk on the cutting board.
"Just cube this up."
"Got it. Thin slices for grilling so it cooks through evenly?"
"Nope. Big ol' cubes. Nice and chunky."
"...Huh?"
His hand froze.
"Cubes? Like for chop steak?"
"Kinda... yeah."
He looked baffled but shrugged and started slicing without further questions. Scrape, scrape. Thick sirloin turning into hefty cubes.
While O Seokgyun wrestled the meat, I prepped the rest. Beef Bourguignon needs a lot: red wine, tomato paste, chicken stock, bay leaves, whole peppercorns, thyme, rosemary... plus carrots, onions, celery, mushrooms, bacon, butter. The table was overflowing.
...Yeah, that's a ton.
Chop, sauté, simmer—the whole war ahead. First up: veggies. Big chunks of carrot and onion, whole mushrooms. Garlic stays whole cloves. Bacon in bite-sizes.
Thwack. Thwack. Thwack. Satisfying knife sounds rang out.
As prep wrapped up, O Seokgyun brought over the cubed meat.
"Done and done. This good?"
"Perfect. Oppa, you've got real knife skills."
"Haha, I've wielded a blade plenty in movies."
...Different kind of blade, but whatever. Praise makes even whales dance. Time to cook.
I set a massive pot on the fire grate. Melted a generous pat of butter, tossed in the bacon first. Savory oil aroma wafted up, then in with the meat.
Sizzle!
High heat for that Maillard reaction, sealing in deep flavor. Once browned, fish it out, then veggies into the fat. When onions went translucent and carrots softened, back in the meat with a light flour dust. Base done.
And the star: red wine.
Glug. Glug. Purple liquid enveloped everything. Simmer long, alcohol evaporates, flavor lingers. Add tomato paste, stock, spices, lid on...
"Ta-da. Prep complete."
I showed the camera inside the pot.
"Now simmer low for 1-2 hours till the meat melts in your mouth."
Staff swallowed hard. The smell was no joke—butter, beef, wine in violent harmony.
"Whoa... that aroma is insane."
"Gonna be delicious."
O Seokgyun couldn't look away. But no eating yet. This dish demands patience.
Can't just wait, though. Mountains of grilling beef left—about 10kg.
I eyed O Seokgyun slyly. He stood proud by the lidded pot, mission accomplished vibe.
But oppa... game's just starting.
I approached with my sweetest smile.
"Oppa."
"Yeah? What's up?"
"Stew needs time to simmer, so wanna grill some meat in the meantime?"
"Sounds good. I'm starving anyway."
He nodded eagerly. I piled the remaining cuts on the table: ribeye, sirloin, short rib, tenderloin... Packs stacking into a tower.
His eyes widened.
"...That's a lot."
"Gotta feed the whole staff, so yeah—about 10kg?"
"..."
Mouth agape, he alternated stares between the meat mountain and me, stammering.
"Th-this... all now?"
"Yep. Everyone's hungry—gotta grill fast."
I handed him tongs and shears.
"You said you're confident at grilling, right? Can't wait."
"...Huh?"
"I've gotta watch the stew fire. Can't let it burn."
Not a lie—stir occasionally to prevent sticking. Way easier than grilling, though.
O Seokgyun stood dazed, tongs in hand, eyes darting from meat pile to expectant staff. No escape.
Deep sigh, then to the grill.
"...Fine. What the hell—I've grilled before."
True blueblood. No backing down.
He fired up. Sizzle. Charcoal kissing beef. Sweat pouring, he flipped and sliced nonstop. Smoke billowed, fat popped—he powered through. Like a movie scene, battling the beef.
I lounged nearby, stirring stew, tossing pointers.
Whoa, not like that. Too soon to flip. Nah, that's not how you handle flare-ups.
His brow furrowed each time—breaks for him.
Mm, comfy.
Teamwork makes the dream work.
"Dig in, everyone!"
O Seokgyun's shout drew the rush. Meat vanished in seconds. They scarfed, thumbs up flying.
"Wow! So good!"
"Grilling pro artistry!"
His smile spread. Worth the grind. But he'd barely eaten, too busy cooking. Kinda pitiful.
...Feel a little bad.
Too harsh? I slipped away quietly, snagged prime tenderloin for my personal grill. Small iron pan, butter melt.
Sizzle. Perfect medium-rare, mouth-melting.
Plated it, approached him mid-battle.
"Oppa, say ahh~."
"Huh?"
I popped a piece in as he turned.
Chew chew. Eyes lit up.
"...!"
"Tasty, right? Grilled special for you—best cut."
He gave me a weird look.
"Areum..."
"You earned it. Drop the tongs and eat. I got the rest."
"Nah, problem is—you know I'm married, right?"
"...Fuck?"
"...Even flustered, swearing's a bit much, yeah?"
Fuck. Busted.
Short hiccup, but O Seokgyun took the plate and happily chowed down. Meanwhile, the Beef Bourguignon finished. Thick gravy, melt-in-mouth beef, tender veggies. Visuals alone overwhelmed.
"Whoa... never thought I'd eat this outdoors."
Ha Bong-seok PD peered in, awed. I portioned it out. First bites drew gasps.
"Insane... restaurant-level."
"Meat just dissolves! No chewing needed!"
Yeonji the writer went wildest. One spoonful, then tears welled.
"Waaah..."
"Yeonji? You okay?"
Ha Bong-seok PD soothed her worriedly.
"Too good... skipped pasta at lunch 'cause of my allergy, just chewed sausage... this makes up for it all..."
"..."
His eyes chilled. Right—lunch durum wheat allergy left her sausage-only. Crying over it? Heartbreaking.
"Eat up. Pot's full—seconds if needed."
She wiped tears, nodded, then inhaled like a storm. Seeing that, I smiled warmly. Body ached, but their joy? Rewarding.
This is why I cook.
Full day of grind—honestly, survival fasting might've been less taxing physically. But... laughing, chatting, sharing food like this? Way more fun, memorable.
I grabbed a plate, sat. Ripe beef chunk, heavy wine sauce dip. Sweet-tangy depth filled my mouth. Fatigue vanished. Last night on the island faded into depth.
Meal done, cleanup finished. Whew... beat. Staff headed to tents or chatted in groups.
Ends tomorrow.
Pre-trip dread? Way more fun than expected. Shoot enjoyable, staff great. And this view—Grandpa's land felt extra cozy.
Zoned out fire-gazing when footsteps approached. Ha Bong-seok PD, two canned beers in hand. Passed me one.
"Care for a drink?"
"Thanks."
I took it. Pssht. He dragged a chair, sat, silently sea-staring.
"Great work, Areum."
He spoke first.
"Shoot wrapped smooth thanks to you. Plenty of footage."
"No biggie. Fun for me too."
"This'll edit up for upload in a couple weeks. Gonna kill—your character's so distinct."
Sip, then:
"Edit angle... hmm, 'hidden charms.' Innocent looks, killer survival skills, killer cooking."
"Ah... sounds good. Fingers crossed."
Please no black history.
He glanced, probed casually.
"By the way, Areum."
"Yeah?"
"That cross-country U.S. camping I mentioned... really no interest?"
Sheesh. Workaholic.
"Not just Grand Canyon—Yosemite, Yellowstone. Epic."
Eyes sparkling, tempting. Honestly... tempting, but exhausting. Even 2 nights 3 days drained me surrounded by folks. U.S.? Week-plus, constant cameras? Hell no for now. Especially with him—hardship highway.
"...I'll think. Later."
Vague dodge. He smacked lips disappointedly.
"Tough nut. Most cave by now."
"Stubborn streak."
Chuckles exchanged. He stood.
"Anyway, wrap around lunch tomorrow, pack up. Afterparty dinner—you in?"
"Dinner?"
"Yeah. Geoje town, seafood or sashimi. You earned it."
Hmm... lunch end, dinner, home by evening. Perfect—pick up Maximus, greet Grandpa.
"Sure. What's on menu?"
"Geoje? Seafood, sashimi. Oysters?"
"Can't resist."
"Haha, got it. See ya tomorrow."
Wave, off to his tent. I drained my beer, headed in. Zipped into sleeping bag. Warm.
Maximus tomorrow.
Missed him. Hope he's good with Grandpa? No mischief with Alexander?