If you're looking for a simple yet flavorful meal that is healthy and satisfying, look no further than this Kimchi Fried Rice with Spicy Shrimp. Stir-fries are a great way to combine a few ingredients into a full meal. This recipe takes less than 30 minutes to prepare, and the best part is that you can change the vegetables you use based on what is available that season.

Not to mention, this recipe gives me an excuse to utilize fresh seafood. Texas is such a big ranching state, that it can be easy to forget our proximity to the ocean here in Houston. By purchasing the shrimp in this recipe from farmers market vendors, I get to reap the benefits of better flavor and texture. You don’t have to take my word for it though. Pick up the ingredients at the next farmers market and see the difference yourself!

Kimchi is a traditional Korean dish made from fermented vegetables, such as cabbage, radish, or cucumber, and is available at the market from our vendor Scotty's Stout Sauerkraut. Fermented foods are known to be rich in probiotics, which are beneficial for gut health and may also boost the immune system. Incorporating fermented foods like kimchi into your diet can provide numerous health benefits, making this dish not only delicious but also nutritious.

This dish is a great way to incorporate fermented foods into your diet and is also a perfect example of how you can make a tasty meal using simple ingredients. So, next time you're at one of the Informal Grub Farmers Markets, grab some kimchi and shrimp, and give this recipe a try. You won't be disappointed!

Here’s a run down of the lovely vendors you can source from to create this recipe!

Clawtel Ranch offers fresh seafood, pickled jalapeños and carrots, and spices. Our signature flavors of pickles, peppers, spices and herbs pair perfectly alongside our seafood products or your go to favorite meals.
Daily Catch takes great pride in the quality and freshness the local seafood market has to offer. They offer a wide variety of seafood including fresh sustainable fish, shrimp, squid, shellfish, crabs, lobster, scallops and much more.
Scotty's Stout Sauerkraut sells fermented products like kimchi and sauerkraut that are full of healthy probiotic bacteria. They carry a wide range of ferments such as cauliflower and jalapeños, and source the majority of these ingredients from local markets. Crisp and delicious, try some of your own and you’ll be hooked!
Wood Duck is an 87 acre farm, located in Cleveland, Texas. They have a thriving CSA program and have been providing healthy produce to the community for years. Wood Duck is actually in the process of fighting a proposed landfill in San Jacinto County, visit this website to learn more about how you can help!
Plant it Forward works with independent, professional farmers with refugee backgrounds to grow and distribute fresh produce throughout the community. At our market locations we work with farmer Materanya “Pierre” Ruchinagiza, who is originally from the Democratic Republic of Congo. Each market he brings delicious vegetables and good conversation. He’s an amazing asset to the markets and his farming knowledge is invaluable!
Animal Farm is a working, sustainable permaculture center located 65 miles west of Houston. They are dedicated to producing high quality certified organic vegetables and flowers. They sell at our markets, but also have a wonderful CSA program!
Verde Greens located in Houston, Texas, uses a combination of hydroponic and no-till soil cultivation methods to produce healthy, nutritious, pesticide- and herbicide-free leafy greens, herbs, and mixed vegetables for the community.
Sweetwater Farms HTX is a family-owned, urban farm located in Houston, Texas. They are 7 minutes from the loop in the middle of a food desert. It sits on 6 acres of land and is primarily used to teach inner city youth about agriculture through its partnership with TWEF. We grow some of the freshest seasonal veggies! Farm visits are reservation are only!
Synergos is a thriving healthy farm community, synergistically growing food, allowing all things to grow naturally. Located in Santa Fe, Texas, Synergos focuses on regenerative practices that support healthy soil, plants, and animals.
1836 Olive Oil grows, harvests, mills, and bottles Texas-grown olives into exceptional olive oils. Owner Kerry Thornhill started the orchard in 2012 with a desire to pay homage to her maternal grandparents. She believes in the Texas olive industry, and in supporting local agriculture and women farmers everywhere.
Old Country Olive Oil is owned by native Houstonian, Rita Joubran. Having been raised around her families olive trees and their products in Lebanon, Rita realized that she wanted to share the high quality oil with her Houston community. She also sells delicious spices such as sumac and a wonderful olive oil soap.

Share the love! Don’t forget to share photos and tag the vendors who provided the ingredients! One of the best ways to support these local, small businesses is by spreading the word and sharing your market finds with friends and family. And of course, if you stop by the Rice Village or Heights Mercantile markets striking up conversations with the vendors will always have you walking away with wonderful recipe ideas.

**Ingredients - * indicates item purchased at the farmers market**

*18 raw shrimp (tails on or off depending on preference)

2 garlic cloves, minched

4 teaspoons gochujang (Korean chili paste)

*3 Tbsp. olive oil

*1 large egg

*half one yellow onion, thinly sliced

1 cup kimchi

1/4 kimchi juice

3 cups cooked rice, cooled

1 cup frozen peas (or any fresh in-season veggies)

*Microgreens to garnish

Sesame oil to garnish

Salt to taste

Method

If you do not already have cooked rice in your fridge, cook the rice ahead of time and let chill in the fridge.
Prep your vegetables and set aside so you can quickly add them to the stirfry
Add the shrimp, gochujang, and 4 teaspoons of oil in a bowl and toss until the shrimp is completely coated. Set aside to marinate.
Add 2 teaspoons of olive oil to a preheated wok or large sauté pan. Once the oil is heated add in the beaten egg and quickly scramble. Remove from the pan and set aside.
Add the remaining oil to the wok or pan and stir-fry the onions for 1-2 minutes.
Add the marinated shrimp to the wok or pan and cook until slightly opaque, about 2-3 minutes.
Stir in the kimchi, kimchi juice, rice, and desired vegetables. Once the rice is coated, let sit undisturbed for 1-2 minutes.
Lastly, add the egg back in and stir. Let sit undisturbed for another minute then remove from heat.
Serve and top with a drizzle of sesame oil and microgreens for a fresh bite!

We hope to see you at the 1st & 3rd Sunday at Rice Village Farmers Market or 2nd & 4th Sunday at Heights Mercantile Farmers Market. Both markets run from 9-1 pm, with Heights located at 714 Yale St. and Rice located at 2504 Amherst St. These markets operate rain or shine! We will have over 60 vendors, live music, and immaculate vibes.

Thank you for following along and supporting local!

xxCB