Ingredients

  • 2 bunches spinach (about 8 ounces), trimmed and well rinsed
  • 1 tablespoon Asian sesame oil
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
  • 10 shiitake or other mushrooms, trimmed and sliced
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
  • 2 medium carrots, grated
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 5 cups hot cooked rice
  • 2 pickling cucumbers, grated
  • 5 teaspoons Asian sesame oil
  • Seasoned Chile Paste (recipe follows)
  • 4 tablespoons Korean chile paste (
  • 2 tablespoons Asian sesame oil
  • 1 tablespoon soy sauce
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds
  • 1 tablespoon sugar or Korean malt syrup (

Method

  • Bring about 1/4 inch water to a boil in a large pot. Add the spinach, cover, and steam until the leaves are just wilted, about 2 minutes. Immediately transfer to a colander and rinse with cold water. Squeeze the water from the spinach. Combine with the sesame oil, garlic, and salt. Set aside.
  • Heat the oil in a medium skillet over medium-high heat. Add the mushrooms and garlic and saute until the mushrooms are limp and just starting to brown, about 3 minutes. Remove from the heat. Season with salt, toss, and set aside.
  • Using the same skillet, heat the oil over medium-high heat. Add the carrots and saute until the carrots just turn limp, about 3 minutes. Remove from the heat. Season with salt, toss, and set aside.
  • Spoon 1 cup rice into each of 5 serving bowls. Arrange the cooked vegetables and grated cucumbers on top of the rice, dividing them evenly. Spoon 1 teaspoon sesame oil over each serving and pass the Seasoned Chile Paste for each person to add their own.
  • Combine all the ingredients in a small bowl. It will keep in a tightly sealed container in the refrigerator for about 1 week.