Hearty Kimchi Rice: A Delicious One-Pot Meal
Make Delicious Kimchi Rice Without Any Side Dishes!
I made this kimchi rice, a dish I occasionally prepare when I don’t have much appetite in the morning or can’t decide what to eat. I’m sharing this recipe because it’s a dish worth trying.
Main Ingredients- 2 cups rice (for cooking)
- 1/5 head of aged kimchi (well-fermented)
- 2 sheets of square fish cakes
- 2 frankfurter sausages
- 1/2 onion
- 1/2 green onion
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Rinse the rice thoroughly, using a standard rice measuring cup, and measure out 2 cups. Soak the rinsed rice in water for 20 to 30 minutes. This soaking step helps the rice cook up plump and flavorful.
Step 2
While the rice is soaking, prepare the ingredients for stir-frying. Thinly slice the frankfurter sausages and square fish cakes into bite-sized pieces. Slice the onion into thin julienne strips.
Step 3
Finely chop about 1/5 of a head of well-fermented kimchi. If the kimchi is overly seasoned, you can trim some of the excess seasoning. Having all your ingredients prepped like this will make the 20-30 minute soaking time fly by.
Step 4
Heat a pot over medium heat and add a generous amount of cooking oil. Using enough oil ensures that the ingredients won’t stick and will cook evenly.
Step 5
Add the chopped kimchi to the heated pot and stir-fry it until it softens slightly. Once the kimchi begins to cook, add 0.5 Tbsp of sugar and 0.5 Tbsp of soy sauce to enhance its flavor.
Step 6
Next, add 1 Tbsp of anchovy sauce, 0.5 Tbsp of red pepper flakes, and 1/3 Tbsp of Dashida (or your preferred umami seasoning). Finally, add a pinch of black pepper to remove any potential gamey odors.
Step 7
Add all the julienned ingredients – sausages, fish cakes, and onions – to the pot. Stir everything together and sauté until well combined with the kimchi and seasonings.
Step 8
Continue to stir-fry for about 2-3 more minutes, ensuring all the ingredients are thoroughly mixed and seasoned. This step allows the flavors to meld together beautifully.
Step 9
Spread the stir-fried kimchi mixture evenly across the bottom of the pot. Then, add the soaked rice on top. Pour in 2 cups of water using the same measuring cup you used for the rice.
Step 10
Bring the pot to a boil over high heat. Once the water starts boiling, give it a gentle stir with a spatula to distribute the rice and the kimchi mixture evenly.
Step 11
As the water boils and reduces, becoming less watery, immediately reduce the heat to the lowest setting. Cover the pot tightly with a lid. This steaming process is crucial for cooking the rice perfectly.
Step 12
Let the rice steam on low heat for 20 minutes. While the rice is steaming, thinly slice the green onion to prepare it as a garnish.
Step 13
After 20 minutes, turn off the heat. Leave the lid on and allow the rice to steam for an additional 5 minutes. This final resting period ensures the rice is cooked through and wonderfully tender.
Step 14
Once the additional 5 minutes of steaming is complete, carefully remove the lid. Sprinkle the thinly sliced green onions evenly over the rice. Drizzle 1 Tbsp of sesame oil over the top for a fragrant finish.
Step 15
Gently fluff and mix the rice with a spatula to combine everything. Be careful not to mash the rice grains. Your delicious kimchi rice is now ready!
Step 16
Cooking this kimchi rice in a pot gives it a delightful, slightly smoky flavor reminiscent of rice cooked over a campfire in a small pot. It’s so satisfying on its own that you won’t need any side dishes. Enjoy this hearty and flavorful meal!
