Korean Rice Bowls

I really enjoy going out to various restaurants and trying different kinds of food.  One of my surprising favorites is Korean, which is a wonderful combination of rice, vegetables, fish or beef, and fiery chilis. For authentic Korean food, complete with multiple types of kimchi, I will head out to one of the family-owned restaurants nearby.  But at home, I like to try to replicate the great taste, while making it simpler and healthier.  The last time I made Mexican rice bowls, I thought that a spicy Asian version would be great.  And it is.  Similar to the Mexican rice bowls, this recipe is quite flexible and a great fridge clearer.

In trying ths recipe out, I used steamed brown rice and leftover ground beef.  Sliced beef (more Korean), ground turkey or a vegetarian mushroom version would work as well.  I had on hand bok choy, carrots, and bean sprouts, but other vegetables such as broccoli florets, zucchini, or spinach would work as well.  I used sriracha chili sauce since that’s what I had and finely sliced seaweed that I had leftover from a sushi making experiment a few weeks ago.

Korean Rice Bowls

2 cups cooked rice
1/2 pound ground beef (or turkey or mushrooms)
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 T soy sauce
1 t brown sugar
1 pound bok choy, washed and sliced
1 carrot, chopped into a fine julienne
1/2 pound bean sprouts
2 green onions, chopped
2 T Korean chili sauce (or sriracha)
additional chili sauce
sesame oil

In a small skillet, brown the ground beef, drain the fat.  Add 2 garlic cloves, soy sauce, and sugar and a couple of tablespoons of water. Cook until liquid is absorbed.  Set aside.  In a larger skillet, add sesame oil for sauteeing and remaining garlic.  Then add bok choy, carrots and bean sprouts.  Stir fry until crisp-tender, 3-4 minutes.  Allow each person to assemble their own rice bowl, by placing rice in the bottom of a serving bowl and topping with meat and vegetables, and sprinkling green onions on top.  Top with additional chili sauce, shredded seaweed, or kimchi as desired.

see other ideas at $5 Dinners, Ultimate Recipe Swap, and Tempt My Tummy Tuesday, and Food Renegade