Here’s a little Gwyneth Paltrow to make your day so much better! Gwyneth, and her Goop newsletter, have returned from vacation. Thank God. It seems that Gwyneth is in very good spirits after returning from her bra-flashing trip to her favorite country, Spain. Her good spirits have allowed her to smile, a real smile, not just a smug, holier-than-Goop smirk. How do I know Goop is smiling? She’s deigned to make us another cooking video! Hurray!

The Goop newsletter this week is a “Make”. And it’s a good “make” too, it’s not just “teaching peasants how to MAKE a sandwich”. This time there’s a hint of soy sauce with our weekly Goop. This is because Goop has gone Asian! Gwyneth’s “Make” is Bibimbop (which most Western sources spell “Bibimbap”), Burdock & Carrot Kinpira and Spicy Miso Sauce. Here’s Goop’s descriptions of the food:

Bibimbop, which roughly translates to “mix it up,” is essentially a rice bowl that you can adorn with whatever toppings you like. It’s a great vehicle for leftovers—a veritable ‘kitchen sink’ kind-of meal. The key is the Spicy Miso Sauce, which ties all the various parts together.

Kinpira refers to a Japanese cooking style of braising vegetables, typically root vegetables, and often a combination of carrot and burdock. Burdock is a tenacious root that’s especially good for your liver and blood. It’s often available in farmers’ markets in the fall. If you can’t find burdock, any combination of hearty vegetables will work—try carrots, parsnips and onions, or even carrots and beets.

Spicy Miso Sauce -This versatile sauce is also great with roasted duck or chicken, or even spread on top of a salmon or tuna burger.

[From Goop]

Of course, Gwyneth has to describe in detail very explicit instructions on how to cook everything. I swear, one day she’s going to write, “Turn dial on stove top to 400 degrees. Resist urge to beat self in head with spatula. Count to ten slowly. Pour quarter cup vegetable oil.”

Her “very good friend” Lee Gross is in the video with her (which has really sh-tty, Goopy sound quality), and he seems to bring out the best in her. At least it gives her someone to talk to. I giggled when Gwyneth is trying to pronounce “Bibimbop” – she seems really cute at that moment. She should always do videos for Goop newsletters, and she should invite more of her “very special friends” in – she’s better when she has someone to play off of, it humanizes her. Of course, you still have to hear her snotty voice when she gives her little asides. But it’s more subdued. Oh, and I loved the cooking, by the way! Asian Goop is awesome.