Kimchi - Not Your Ordinary Cabbage!

Kimchi also called Kimchee, is made from fermented cabbage with garlic, salt, vinegar, hot red pepper and other spices. It's part of a high fiber, low fat diet and Koreans consume about 40 pounds per person a year! It is filled with vitamins A, B and C but the best benefit is its "healthy bacteria"; the same found in yogurt.

There is no need to make your own as it is readily available in asian markets and even at Trader Joe's!

It can be eaten alone or used in many recipes. My favorite thing to do with it is to make Kimchi fried rice topped with a fried egg. It is flavorful and a little bit spicy. I use leftover rice and add all sorts of goodies like bacon and onion.

Here is my recipe for Kimchi Fried Rice. Try it once and you'll be hooked!

• 1 cup kimchi, drained and chopped (made with Napa cabbage)
• 1/2 white onion, chopped
• 1 Tbsp finely chopped garlic
• 1 Tbsp butter
• 1/3 cup cooked chopped bacon
• 3 cups cooked rice (brown or white)
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1 fried egg per person

Saute bacon briefly in a large pan. Set aside in a bowl.

Saute chopped kimchi and onion in a lightly greased large pan over medium heat for a few minutes. When vegetables begin to look transparent, add half of the butter and all of the garlic saute for another 2-3 minutes.

Add the bacon to the vegetables. Turn heat off but keep pan on burner.

Add rice and rest of butter, mixing to combine. Salt and pepper to taste and top with fried egg to serve.