Delicious Stir-Fried Aged Kimchi with Perilla Oil
Super Simple Stir-Fried Aged Kimchi: Making a Rice-Thieving Side Dish
A super simple side dish made using aged kimchi you have at home! Having one well-made side dish can make meal prep so much easier, especially during the hot summer. The tangy and sweet flavor of aged kimchi combined with the nutty aroma of perilla oil creates a magical dish that will have you finishing a bowl of rice in no time.
Ingredients- 1/4 head of aged kimchi
- 1 tsp minced garlic (measured with a small spoon)
- 1 tsp sugar (measured with a small spoon)
- 1 tsp soy sauce (measured with a small spoon)
- 1 tsp sesame oil (measured with a small spoon)
- 1/2 handful of sesame seeds
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, gently wash off the seasoning from the aged kimchi under running water. Soaking the kimchi in water for about 20-30 minutes will help to moderately mellow out its sourness and saltiness, making it more tender.
Step 2
After soaking in water for 20-30 minutes, take the aged kimchi out.
Step 3
Rinse the removed aged kimchi once more under running water to wash away any remaining seasoning. Then, firmly squeeze out the water with your hands. If there’s too much water, the stir-fry might become mushy.
Step 4
Once the water is squeezed out, finely chop the aged kimchi into bite-sized pieces, as if shredding it. The thinner you chop it, the better it will absorb the seasoning and the softer it will be.
Step 5
Place the chopped aged kimchi in a bowl and prepare to season it. Start by adding 1 teaspoon of minced garlic.
Step 6
Add 1 teaspoon of sugar to balance the sourness of the aged kimchi and enhance its savory flavor.
Step 7
Add 1 teaspoon of soy sauce for a salty taste and a deep umami flavor.
Step 8
Add 1 teaspoon of sesame oil for a nutty aroma. Adding it before stir-frying ensures the nutty fragrance of the sesame oil doesn’t evaporate.
Step 9
Add all the seasonings and mix well by gently massaging the kimchi with your hands, ensuring the seasoning is evenly distributed. Let the seasoned aged kimchi sit for about 10 minutes to allow the flavors to fully penetrate.
Step 10
Pour a generous amount of perilla oil into a frying pan. The nutty fragrance of perilla oil will further enhance the taste of the stir-fried aged kimchi.
Step 11
Stir-fry the seasoned aged kimchi over medium to high heat for about 3-5 minutes. Stir-frying quickly over high heat helps to keep the aged kimchi from becoming too soft and preserves its crisp texture. Make sure to stir continuously to prevent burning.
Step 12
Transfer the well-stir-fried aged kimchi into a side dish container. Finally, sprinkle some sesame seeds on top for added nuttiness and visual appeal, completing your perfect aged kimchi stir-fry.
