A Look Inside an Inspiring Chef’s Kitchen
Chef Solomon Choi is known for his vibrant, flavorful Korean-Mexican fusion cuisine. While his restaurants are famous destinations for food lovers, few get a glimpse into the place where Choi’s culinary magic begins – his own kitchen.
Recently, Choi gave viewers a mini tour of the ingredients stocking the shelves and drawers of his refrigerator and pantry. From gochujang to kimchi, it offers telling insights into what fuels his flair for bold tastes.
Keeping it Healthy and Fresh
Despite his love of strong spices and rich flavors, Choi strives to keep his diet balanced. His fridge overflows with fresh fruits and vegetables.
An Abundance of Greens
Choi stocks up on leafy greens like spinach, kale and arugula to balance out heavier ingredients. He incorporates them into everything from stir fries to tacos.
Seasonal Produce
In addition to greens, Choi keeps his fridge filled with whatever produce is currently in season. From juicy peaches and plums to ripe avocados and tomatoes, these ingredients add vitamin-packed sweetness and texture to his dishes.
Pantry Staples
Beyond fresh ingredients, Choi’s kitchen contains some Korean and Mexican pantry staples that are key to his cooking.
Gochujang
This fermented red chili paste adds signature heat and umami flavor to many Korean dishes. It’s an indispensable ingredient in Choi’s unique culinary fusion.
Kimchi
No Korean fridge is complete without some kind of kimchi – whether store-bought or homemade. The fermented vegetables provide probiotics as well as crunchy texture and tang.
Masa Harina
This special corn flour is essential for making tamales, tortillas, and other Latin American staples. It’s the secret behind the irresistible wrappers encasing Choi’s Mexican-inspired fillings.
Bringing People Together Through Food
While specialty ingredients help make Choi’s food stand out, he stresses that good cooking is really about the people you share it with. His fridge contains leftover containers ready for dining with family, friends and neighbors – anyone hungry for connection.
FAQ
What are some key healthy items in Choi’s fridge?
Choi stocks up on fresh greens like spinach and kale as well as seasonal fruits and vegetables. These provide nutrients and balance out heavier ingredients.
What Korean pantry staples does Choi rely on?
Gochujang (Korean chili paste) and kimchi (fermented cabbage) are essential to adding authentic Korean flavors to Choi’s dishes.
How does masa harina contribute to Choi’s cooking?
Masa harina is a special corn flour used to make tamales, tortillas and other Latin American staples that form the wrappers around Choi’s Mexican-inspired fillings.
Why does Choi feel community is important in cooking?
Choi believes cooking is about more than just the food itself. Sharing our meals together helps foster human connection and bring people closer.
What items in Choi’s kitchen reflect his hybrid cuisine?
Ingredients like gochujang, kimchi and masa harina enable Choi to blend Korean and Mexican flavors in his signature Korean-Mexican fusion dishes.
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