Cheesy Spam Kimchi Fried Rice in a Ttukbaegi: A Special Home-Cooked Meal
Recipe for Ttukbaegi Cheese and Spam Kimchi Fried Rice
Kimchi fried rice is always delicious, but what if you top it with melted cheese in a bubbling ttukbaegi? Get ready for a truly fantastic meal!
Ingredients- 2 bowls cooked rice
- 4 stalks kimchi (about 1 cup, well-fermented)
- 4 Tbsp Spam (about 1/4 can)
- 70g shredded mozzarella cheese (adjust to taste)
- 1 Tbsp sesame oil
- 1 tsp sugar
- 1 green onion stalk (for garnish)
- Pinch of toasted sesame seeds (for garnish)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, generously coat the bottom of a ttukbaegi (Korean earthenware pot) with 1 tablespoon of sesame oil. Add the kimchi, chopped into bite-sized pieces or roughly minced, along with 1 teaspoon of sugar. Sauté these together until the kimchi softens and its liquid reduces slightly over medium-low heat. Adding sugar helps balance the sourness of the kimchi and enhances its savory flavor.
Step 2
Once the kimchi’s moisture has noticeably reduced, add the Spam, diced into small cubes. Stir-fry the Spam with the kimchi for another minute or two. The savory essence of the Spam will elevate the flavor of the fried rice. Sauté until the Spam is lightly browned.
Step 3
After the Spam has browned, add the 2 bowls of warm cooked rice. Gently break up any clumps of rice with your spatula and stir-fry until the rice grains are separate and fluffy, ensuring they are evenly coated with the kimchi and Spam mixture. This step is crucial for achieving a good texture.
Step 4
Once the rice is well-fried and separated, turn off the heat immediately. Evenly sprinkle the 70g of shredded mozzarella cheese over the hot rice. Cover the ttukbaegi with a lid and let it sit for about 5 minutes. The residual heat will melt the cheese into a gooey, delightful layer. Imagine the satisfying cheese pull!
Step 5
After 5 minutes, remove the lid. Garnish the melted cheese with finely chopped green onion and a sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds. Serve the ttukbaegi directly to the table – the sizzling sound and aroma are part of the experience! Be careful, as it will be very hot.
