For the first day, I made Korean street food -- Kimchi Fried rice.From what I've read online, Koreans make fried rice with overripe kimchi that needs to be used up. I personally love fried rice because it s a great use of leftover rice and there are infinite variations to come up with.
As I mentioned in my Kimchi post, store bought ones might have seafood in them. So I used my homemade kimchi to make this fried rice. I had some brown rice in the fridge that I used here, but white rice can be used instead. Fried egg with a soft yolk is traditionally served over the rice, but that can be skipped altogether for a vegan version.
Adapted from Herbivoracious. Ingredients: Serves 2 Brown or White Rice - 3cups (leftover rice that has been chilled preferred)
Green onions - 4, chopped
Mixed vegetables - 1cup, finely chopped (I used frozen mixed vegetables with carrot, green beans, peas etc)
Ginger - 1" piece, grated
Garlic - 2 cloves, minced
Kimchi - 1cup, drained and chopped
Gojuchang (Korean red pepper paste) - 1tsp (optional, use if kimchi is not spicy enough and adjust as per taste)
Sesame Oil - ½tsp
Egg - 2 (optional)
Salt & Pepper - to taste
Method:
- Heat 2tbsp oil in a pan; add the grated ginger and garlic, cook till fragrant, about 30 seconds.
- Add green onions and cook till wilted, about 2~3 minutes. Next add all the veggies and stir fry on medium heat until the veggies are crisp tender, about 6~8 minutes.
- Stir in kimchi, gojuchang (if using), salt and pepper.
- Add the rice and mix well. Cook until the edges start to crisp up a little bit. Finally add the sesame oil, mix well and serve hot topped with the fried egg (if desired). Enjoy!!