Mixed Rice with Vegetables

Bibimbap, which translates to “mixed rice” in Korean, is a vibrant and flavorful one-bowl meal that can be easily customized to suit different taste preferences and spice levels. Various regions in Korea have their unique versions of bibimbap, featuring local vegetables and distinct flavors. This versatile dish allows you to experiment with various proteins, including beef, chicken, or fish. While traditionally topped with a sunny-side up egg, you can personalize your bibimbap to be more vegetable-centric or protein-rich according to your liking. Serves 4, this vegetarian-friendly and gluten-free recipe requires 30 minutes of preparation time and 40 minutes of cooking time.

INGREDIENTS: For the sauce

• 3 tablespoons gochujang or gluten-free gochujang
• 2 tablespoons mirin
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 2 teaspoons sesame seeds
• 1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil

For the mixed rice

• Salt
• 1 large cucumber, thinly sliced
• 1½ cups baby spinach, parboiled and squeezed of excess liquid
• 4 tablespoons plus ½ teaspoon toasted sesame oil, divided
• 1 tablespoon sesame seeds
• 1½ cups bean sprouts, parboiled and squeezed of excess liquid
• 1 medium carrot, cut into matchsticks
• 4 shiitake mushrooms, thinly sliced
• 1 medium zucchini, thinly sliced
• 5 cups cooked rice
• 4 eggs, fried sunny-side up
• 2 tablespoons sesame oil, for serving

PREPARATIONS:

To make the sauce

1. In a small bowl, stir together gochujang, mirin, sugar, sesame seeds, and sesame oil. Mix well and set aside.

To make the mixed rice

1. In a medium bowl, prepare a saltwater bath by adding 3 tablespoons of salt to 2 cups of ice water. Immerse the cucumber slices in the bath for 20 minutes and then drain. Squeeze out excess water with your hands.
2. In a small bowl, season the spinach with 2 teaspoons of sesame oil, 1 teaspoon salt, and ¼ teaspoon of sesame seeds. Set aside.
3. In a small bowl, season the bean sprouts with 1½ teaspoons of sesame oil and 1 teaspoon salt. Set aside.
4. In a medium skillet over medium heat, heat 1 teaspoon of sesame oil. Add the carrots and a dash of salt, and sauté 1 to 2 minutes, until the carrots are crisp-tender. Remove the carrots and set aside.
5. Add another teaspoon of sesame oil to the skillet. Add the mushrooms and a dash of salt, and sauté the mushrooms for 1 to 2 minutes until tender. Remove the mushrooms and set aside.
6. Add another teaspoon of sesame oil to the skillet. Add the zucchini and a dash of salt, and sauté the zucchini for 1 to 2 minutes, until the slices are crisp-tender. Remove the zucchini and set aside.
7. Divide the cooked rice into 4 large bowls and arrange the vegetables on top.
8. Place an egg on top of the vegetables and rice.
9. Garnish each egg with a pinch of sesame seeds.
10. Serve with the sauce and remaining sesame oil.
11. To eat, drizzle the bibimbap sauce and ½ tablespoon sesame oil over the vegetables and egg, and mix everything together with a spoon.

YIELD:

• Serves 4

TIPS:

• Bibimbap can be customized with side dishes like Seasoned Radish Strips, chopped kimchi, and shredded Korean roasted laver seaweed (gim).
• To make dolsot bibimbap, use large earthenware bowls. Spread sesame oil inside the bowls, place rice and vegetables on top, and heat the bowls on the stove over high heat until the rice begins to make crackling sounds. Top with eggs, remove from heat, and serve immediately.

Bibimbap, the delightful Korean “mixed rice” dish, offers a burst of flavors and textures in a single bowl, making it a beloved choice for both Korean locals and international food enthusiasts. The beauty of bibimbap lies in its adaptability, allowing you to customize it according to your preferences and what’s available in your pantry.

The star of the show is the flavorful bibimbap sauce, blending gochujang, mirin, sugar, sesame seeds, and toasted sesame oil. This tangy, spicy, and slightly sweet sauce infuses the dish with its signature taste, elevating the overall experience. The combination of colors from various vegetables, such as cucumber, spinach, bean sprouts, carrots, shiitake mushrooms, and zucchini, adds to the visual appeal of the dish, making it an exciting and enticing meal.

The versatility of bibimbap extends to the choice of protein as well. Whether you’re a meat-lover or prefer a vegetarian option, bibimbap can cater to your tastes. From succulent beef to tender chicken or even fish, you can top your mixed rice with your protein of choice. Moreover, the sunny-side up fried egg crowning the dish provides a delightful creamy touch, adding richness to every bite.

The variation tips offer additional ideas to enhance the bibimbap experience. Adding side dishes like Seasoned Radish Strips or kimchi introduces new dimensions of flavors, while shredded Korean roasted laver seaweed (gim) imparts an umami twist. For those seeking an extra sizzle, dolsot bibimbap offers a sensational experience, with the heat from the earthenware bowl creating a crispy rice layer to complement the vegetables and protein.

Bibimbap’s ability to combine various ingredients and textures makes it a wholesome and satisfying meal that caters to diverse palates. The act of drizzling the bibimbap sauce and sesame oil over the dish and mixing it together with a spoon is a delightful ritual that brings all the components together, creating a harmonious medley of flavors.

In conclusion, bibimbap is a vibrant and delightful Korean dish that encapsulates the essence of Korean cuisine—bold, diverse, and packed with flavors. Whether you choose to stick to the traditional vegetables or experiment with different ingredients, bibimbap is a versatile canvas for culinary creativity. So why not embark on a bibimbap adventure and savor the colorful and exciting world of mixed rice with vegetables?