Simple Bacon Kimchi Stir-Fry

As a lazy housewife, I would love to just order in food everyday.  Unfortunately, the cheap side of me holds me back from such a life.  Because we don't eat kimchi everyday, it always seems like we have overripe kimchi stinking up our fridge.  Thankfully, there are a multitude of ways to rectify the situation.  One of my favorites is a lazy version of Kimchi Jae-Yuk Bokkeum- a spicy pork stir fry.

Generally, pork belly is marinated in advance to make the dish but I usually take as many shortcuts as possible when cooking.  Instead of pork belly, I use my secret ingredient: bacon.  We're partial to Trader Joe's turkey bacon - to try to keep things "healthy."  (But let's face it.  It's bacon.)  I simply heat up some olive oil and throw in the bacon and chopped up kimchi at the same time.  Usually, I add in a little sugar.  (But I don't think it needs it.)  When I'm super ambitious, I add in onions, carrots, and scallions.  The veggies helps to keep things a little less spicy.  If you're super averse to spice, you can "wash" the kimchi a bit to mellow it out.  But you may need to add some soy sauce if it seems a bit bland.

Then it's served with some tofu.  I heated up the one in the picture but when I feel lazy or crazed, I just cut up some firm silken tofu right out of the box and put it on the plate.  If I remember, I sprinkle some sesame seeds on top.  Add a bowl of rice and it's a super easy 15 min meal!