I saw this interesting kimbab sandwich recipe on youtube and made modifications to it. Kimbab is the Korean version of sushi which is the oversized version of rolled up rice and vegetables or seafood encased with Nori sheet.
In my recipe, I’ve substituted sushi rice with brown rice. I’ve used tofu, tempe, omelette, cheese and tuna with hummus in my kimbab sandwich.
Ingredients
tofu, sliced into 3
tempe, sliced into 2
1 slice cheese
tuna flakes
2 fresh chilies, chopped
juice of half of lemon
hummus
brown rice
egg
Olive oil
Nori sheets
2 tbsp kicap manis
2 tbsp soy
Method
Cook brown rice through the absorption method using a medium pot. Once cooked, set rice aside to cool.
Heat oil in pan.
Whisk and fry egg. Set aside.
Slice tofu and tempe. Fry till golden brown on both side. remove from pan and set aside.
Put the tempe back in the pan with heat on and add kicap manis. Ensure that all sides of the tempe absorbs the condiment. Remove and set aside.
Then put the tofu back into the pan and add soy. Ensure that all side of the tofu absorbs the soy. Turn off heat and remove tofu. Set aside.
In a separate pan heat oil. Add tuna and chili. Lightly saute. Add lemon juice and mix well. Remove from pan and set aside.
Once cooled, add hummus and mix thoroughly. Chill in fridge.
How to Make Kimbab Sandwich
With reference to the photo above, place Nori sheet on a flat surface like a chopping board. With a scissors, make a slit between portions 1 and 4 above.
Add cheese, rice, tuna and tofu or tempe on each quarter. You can also substitute one ingredient with the omelette. I’ve added omelette in my second kimbab sandwich.
Then gently lift portion 1 and place it above portion 2 as shown above.
Lift up the folded Portion 2 and fold it over Portion 3 as shown above.
Then lift folded Portion 3 and fold it over Portion 4. By then, you would have made a thick square kimbab sandwich. Wrap it in a cling wrap to keep it intact. Place in the fridge to chill.
Afterthought
The kimbab sandwich can be cut into half only if you use vinegar soaked sushi rice. Since I used brown rice, it is not sticky enough to be compact. Hence the use of cling wrap.
Other ingredients you can use are pickled cucumber, kimchi, mash avocado and mashed boiled egg hummus harissa.
Once taken out of the fridge, the rice would have hardened and hence does not have the tendency to fall off. Consume the sandwich by slowly removing the cling wrap to keep it intact.
Also, in the process of folding the Nori sheet, you may tend to unintentionally tear it. If this happens continue folding till you reach the end stage. Then, use another Nori sheet and wrap it around the sandwich to cover the tear.
The sandwich kimbab is delicious as the contents consist of a mixture of ingredients and taste. The hummus tuna has that creamy ‘meaty’ taste and combined with the sweet tempe and egg as well as the cheesiness of sliced cheddar, it is an explosion of flavour. Do give this recipe a try! Perfect to bring to office lunch!