Loaded Kimchi Fries

Let’s start this weekend off the right way: comfort food that brings the heat.

Because apparently we’re still in winter. I know, are you sick of hearing about the weather? I’m sick of talking about it. But I can’t stop. It’s a compulsion, obsession, sickness, BECAUSE IT HAS TO STOP SNOWING! We’re supposed to get another 5-10 inches of snow this weekend, and I’m disgusted.

Thanks for letting me vent. Now onto LOADED KIMCHI FRIES!

You guys. It could probably continue to snow for the rest of this year, and I’d be totally content with it if I could stay cozied inside with a never ending supply of Loaded Kimchi Fries and a glass of Pinot Noir.

Obviously I’d much rather prefer eating them all year long on a summertime patio with a glass of chilled rose, but let’s just see where this year takes us, shall we? I’m still holding out hope that patio nights are a possibility, but I’m not necessarily holding my breath…

Regardless of when/where/how you’re enjoying these Loaded Kimchi Fries, they’ve got it all…

• crispy fries
• melty cheese
• spicy kimchi
• caramelized onion
• pow-wow mayo sauce
• crunchy green onions
• bright cilantro

See what I mean? Ultimate comfort food. Let’s break it down a little more…like, back to the beginning. Have you had kimchi before? It’s been popping up around Minneapolis like crazy, and in my new favorite form (can you guess it?!) FRIES! Ok, so kimchi is fermented cabbage – it’s spicy, salty, tangy, and really kind of hard to describe. Yes, I claim to be a food blogger, yet have difficulty putting adjectives to food other than YUMMTASTIC ?.

So yellow onions start caramelizing, bringing out their natural sweetness and then in goes the kimchi. The balance is WHOOAAAA! I love it. Obsessed.

This all goes on top of crispy fries with melty-creamy cheese, and topped with my favorite combination of spicy mayo filled with the best Asian flavors! Have you tried the Shichimi Togarashi spice mix (a.k.a. Japenese Seven Spice) out there? It’s a mix of ginger, red pepper, orange peel, seaweed, and sesame seeds. It adds a wonderful umami-ness and spice to this mayo. Along with some Thai chili garlic paste (of course!).

P.S. That’s an affiliate link up there, and I actually purchased it at a higher end local grocery store chain around here, so I’m sure you could find it in a store near you (at a much cheaper price!).

All of this piled high with the scallions and cilantro to brighten it up is a game changer. The perfect “meal” for one – or two – or the ultimate crowed pleaser.

If you are throwing a party, you can absolutely make all the components beforehand! Caramelize the onions and kimchi in advance, along with mixing up the spicy mayo, then throw everything together, cook, and devour! All about efficiency here you guys! Making life delicious and easy.

I’d love to hear – what are you going to make these Loaded Kimchi Fries for?!

Loaded Kimchi Fries

Crispy cheese fries topped with caramelized onions and kimchi, a spicy Shichimi mayo, lots of fresh scallions, and cilantro!

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Course: Appetizer

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Servings: 4 -6

Author: Becca Mills

Ingredients

• 1 28- ounce package frozen french fries
• 1 1/2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
• 1/2 cup mayonnaise
• 1/2 teaspoon shichimi spice
• 1 teaspoon Thai chili garlic paste
• 2 Tablespoons butter or vegetable oil
• 1/2 yellow onion thinly sliced
• 1 cup kimchi roughly chopped
• 1 Tablespoon gochujang sauce
• ~1/4 - 1/2 cup scallions thinly sliced, for garnish
• ~1/4 cup cilantro for garnish

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Instructions

• Bake fries according to package (or bake your own!). I like to add additional salt to the fries. 2-3 minutes before fries are finished cooking, push fries closer together, top with cheese, and continue baking until melted.
• While fries are cooking, heat a skillet over medium with butter. Add onions and cook for 5-8 minutes until tender and beginning to caramelize. Add kimchi and continue to cook for 4-5 minutes. Add gochujang sauce just before removing from heat. Set aside.
• Meanwhile, make the spicy mayo by mixing together mayonnaise, shichimi spice, Thai chili paste, and salt as needed. Set aside.
• Once fries have finished cooking and the cheese is melted, top with onion and kimchi mixture, drizzle on the spicy mayo, and top with scallions and cilantro.

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