This one’s a highly adaptable recipe and will mainly depend on the ripeness and spiciness of your kimchi. I recommend using a young, as in not super ripe, kimchi if you’re going to use the full amount noted here. I used Homemade Kimchi after about a week of preparation. If using super ripe kimchi, halve the amount and add tofu or extra veggies. You can also elect to add chopped and pan-fried Gochujang Kimchi Sausages and extra tamari or gochujang if your kimchi really is on the weak side.
YIELD: 3 to 4 portions
2 tbsp (30 ml) melted coconut oil or peanut oil, divided
1 medium white onion, peeled, trimmed and chopped
1 pound (454 g) Homemade Kimchi or store-bought, roughly chopped
1½ cups (201 g) frozen green peas
3 cups (will vary, 585 g) cooked and chilled rice of choice
1 tbsp (15 ml) reduced-sodium tamari
1 tbsp (15 ml) kimchi brine
Garnishes: Chopped dry roasted peanuts and sesame seeds, thinly sliced scallions, crumbled roasted nori sheet, mild-flavored fried or baked tofu of choice, Gochujang Kimchi Sausages
Heat 1 tablespoon (15 ml) of oil on medium-high heat in a large skillet or wok. Add the onion and cook until it starts to brown, about 5 minutes. Stir occasionally. Add the kimchi and cook until it isn’t too juicy anymore and is heated through, about 5 minutes. Add the green peas and cook until bright green and heated through, about 3 minutes. Set aside.
Break the rice apart with a spoon to remove clumps. In another skillet, heat the remaining 1 tablespoon (15 ml) of oil on medium-high heat. Add the rice to the oil and cook until heated through and crisp, about 3 minutes. Add the tamari and kimchi brine, and cook until absorbed and fragrant, about 2 minutes. Be sure to stir occasionally. Stir the rice into the vegetables to combine. Cook for another 2 minutes to let the flavors meld. Serve with your garnishes of choice.