Kimchi Fried Rice

INGREDIENTS

• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter

• 1/2 small onion, medium dice

• 1-2 cloves garlic

• 1 cup roughly chopped kimchi (6 ounces)

• 2 tablespoons kimchi juice, or to taste

• 1 tablespoon Gochujang

• 1/2 cup small-dice Spam, ham or leftover cooked meat

• 2 cups cooked, cooled rice(preferably short-grain)

• 2 teaspoons soy sauce, or to taste

• 2 teaspoons fish sauce, or to taste

• 1 teaspoon sesame oil, or to taste

• 2 teaspoons vegetable oil

• 2 eggs

•  Salt to taste

•  Crumbled or slivered nori (roasted seaweed) for garnish

•  Sesame seeds for garnish

PREPARATION

1. In a nonstick sauté pan or well-seasoned cast-iron skillet, melt butter over medium-low heat, and add onions and garlic. Cook, stirring, until the onions start to sizzle, about 2 minutes. Add kimchi and kimchi juice, and stir until it comes to a boil, about 3 minutes. Add Gochujang and meat and cook until sauce is nearly dried out, about 5 minutes.

2. Break up the rice in the pan with a spatula, and stir it to incorporate. Turn heat to medium. Cook, stirring, until the rice has absorbed the sauce and is very hot, about 5 minutes. Stir in fish sauce, soy sauce and sesame oil. Taste, and adjust with more soy sauce, sesame oil or kimchi juice. Turn heat down slightly, but let the rice continue to cook, untouched, to lightly brown while you cook the eggs.

3. Place a small nonstick sauté pan over medium heat, and add the vegetable oil. When it is hot, add eggs, season with salt and fry to your desired doneness. Serve rice topped with fried eggs, nori and a sprinkle of sesame seeds.