Korean-Style Grilled Hanger Steak with a Pickle Bar for the Beach

Ingredients

• Pickled vegetables
• 3 cups white wine vinegar
• 1 1/2 cups unseasoned rice vinegar
• 1 cup plus 2 tbsp. sugar
• 2 tablespoons kosher salt
• 1 bunch French breakfast radishes or red radishes
• 1 green kohlrabi, washed but not peeled
• 1 large yellow beet, washed but not peeled
• 1 large red beet, washed but not peeled
• 6-in. piece daikon, washed but not peeled
• 1 black radish* (optional), washed but not peeled
• 2-lb. piece firm, seedless watermelon, rind trimmed
• Beef
• 1 1/4 cups low-sodium soy sauce
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/4 cup corn syrup
• 1/3 cup rice vinegar
• 10 garlic cloves, peeled and chopped
• 2 tablespoons chopped ginger
• 1 1/2 tablespoons Asian sesame oil
• 1 1/2 teaspoons pepper
• 2 pounds hanger steaks (3 to 4 steaks total)

Preparation

1. 1. Make pickles: Whisk vinegars, sugar, and salt in a bowl with 3 cups water until sugar dissolves. Halve French radishes. Slice kohlrabi, beets, daikon, and black radish into very thin (1/16-in.) slices--easiest using a mandoline or food processor with slicing blade. Cut watermelon into 1-in. dice. Put each vegetable or fruit in its own jar, gently tamp it down, and cover with brine. Chill, covered, 1 day.
2. 2. Marinate beef: Whisk soy, sugar, corn syrup, rice vinegar, garlic, ginger, sesame oil, and pepper in a bowl with 1/2 cup water. Put beef in a 1-gal. resealable bag, add marinade, and chill overnight, turning a couple of times.
3. 3. Heat grill to medium-high (450°). Oil cooking grate with a wad of oiled paper towels. Lift steak from marinade (throw away marinade). Grill steak with lid down, turning as needed, until grill marks appear, 7 to 10 minutes total for medium-rare. Transfer to a platter and let rest 10 minutes.
4. *Black radishes have snowy white interiors and a spicy kick. Find them at farmers' markets and some grocery stores.
5. Make-ahead & packing tips: Make pickles and marinate beef 1 day ahead. Bring pickles to beach in jars and beef in its bag, all kept chilled.
6. Note: Nutritional analysis is per serving.