**Kimchi: A Spicy and Tangy Korean Staple with Endless Variations**
Kimchi, a cornerstone of Korean cuisine, is a fermented cabbage dish that tantalizes taste buds with its spicy, tangy, and umami-rich flavor. While its fiery reputation precedes it, kimchi offers a complex symphony of flavors that can range from mild to tongue-tingling. This versatile dish can be enjoyed as a side dish, condiment, or even as an ingredient in various culinary creations. In this article, we will delve into the world of kimchi, exploring its history, health benefits, and the diverse recipes that showcase its culinary versatility. From classic kimchi to modern fusion dishes, this article offers a comprehensive guide to making and enjoying this Korean staple.
KOREAN KIMCHI
My mother and I made this a tradition after our cousin taught us how to make it. This authentic dish is served over rice with every meal in Korea. This can be altered for a spicier version. Use a glass container and wax paper as this will discolor plastic and rust metal.
Provided by Christina P.
Categories Side Dish Sauces and Condiments Recipes Canning and Preserving Recipes Pickled
Time P2DT3h20m
Yield 20
Number Of Ingredients 6
Steps:
- Cut the cabbage leaves into 2 inch long pieces. Spread 1/4 of the leaves into a large, non-metallic bowl and sprinkle with 1/4 of the salt. Repeat layering all of the cabbage has been salted. Let stand at room temperature until a lot of liquid has been pulled from the leaves and the cabbage is tender, 3 to 4 hours; drain. Rinse the cabbage in 2 or 3 changes of water. Drain again very well and return the cabbage to the mixing bowl.
- Sprinkle the cabbage with the minced garlic, green onions, MSG, and red pepper flakes. Season to taste with additional salt and toss until evenly combined. Pack the mixture into a sterilized gallon-sized glass jar. Cover the jar with wax paper and a loose fitting lid so the seal is not airtight.
- Allow the cabbage to ferment at room temperature until it reaches the desired degree of sourness, 2 to 5 days. Store in an airtight jar in the refrigerator.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 30.3 calories, Carbohydrate 6 g, Fat 0.3 g, Fiber 1.4 g, Protein 1.6 g, SaturatedFat 0.1 g, Sodium 113.6 mg, Sugar 1.3 g
KIMCHEE
Traditionally kim chee takes months to prepare as it is set in stone jars to mature. Here is a quicker version where you can have kim chee ready in one day!
Provided by PalatablePastime
Categories Lunch/Snacks
Time P1D
Yield 8 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 10
Steps:
- Chop cabbage coarsely and place in a large dish.
- Sprinkle cabbage with salt; let stand 3-4 hours.
- Squeeze cabbage dry with hands and place in another bowl.
- Add remaining ingredients except sesame oil, and mix well.
- Refrigerate at least 24 hours before serving.
- Sprinkle with a few drops of sesame oil on each serving, if desired.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 41.1, Fat 0.3, SaturatedFat 0.1, Sodium 1909.8, Carbohydrate 6.9, Fiber 1.7, Sugar 3.2, Protein 3.5
MR. N'S KIMCHEE BASE
Visiting my parents, one of their friends gave them a huge jar of kimchee cucumbers that were the best I've ever tasted. Of course, I came here to find a similar recipe and nothing I tried came close. I couldn't ever get the depth of flavor that I remembered in his kimchee...all I tasted was garlic and red pepper. Something was missing. The chef was gracious to pass along his recipe and instructions for putting up Napa and also cucumbers. This isn't a months-long process, so it's not entirely authentic, but the addition of the salted shrimp and the salted anchovies makes all the difference for me. The information in the parentheticals are his specific instructions to me. He had specific brand names that he liked, but I've taken those out. Prep time doesn't include refrigeration time.
Provided by Akikobay
Categories Korean
Time 30m
Yield 1 batch
Number Of Ingredients 10
Steps:
- Combine first 7 ingredients in a bowl and refrigerate.
- Put the napa cabbage in a large bowl.
- Stir and rub the scant 1/4 cup of salt onto the napa cabbage.
- Press overnight until the liquid rises out of the napa cabbage -- don't add water and don't drain.
- To press, use a lid that is smaller than the bowl you are using and put some sort of weight on the top.
- Add TO TASTE the kimchee base that you prepared the night before to the napa cabbage and its liquid.
- Mix in the green onions, if desired.
- Refrigerate and serve the next day.
- The base can be used for cucumbers instead of napa cabbage, following the directions above but substituting cucumbers instead.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 184.3, Fat 0.5, SaturatedFat 0.1, Sodium 31097.8, Carbohydrate 43.2, Fiber 4, Sugar 31.8, Protein 5.6
KIMCHI
Provided by Alton Brown
Time P1DT1h15m
Yield about 6 cups
Number Of Ingredients 13
Steps:
- Place the cabbage in a large bowl, sprinkle with 2 tablespoons (17 grams) of the salt, and toss to coat. After 15 minutes, massage and squeeze the cabbage until it begins to release liquid. Set aside for another 15 minutes, then massage again and set aside for another 15 minutes.
- Place the daikon in a medium bowl and season with the granulated sugar and 1 teaspoon of the salt. Set aside for 15 minutes.
- Whisk the gochugaru, water, brown sugar, and the remaining 1 teaspoon salt in a third medium bowl to form a coarse paste.
- To make the kimchi flavor paste, use either a mini-food processor, mortar and pestle, or immersion blender and a jar to puree the pear, onion, 10 grams (about 1/6) of the ginger, 6 grams (about 1/4) of the garlic, and the salted shrimp until smooth. Add this to the gochugaru mixture and stir to combine.
- Squeeze as much liquid as you can from the daikon without breaking the pieces and add to the cabbage, along with the scallions, the remaining ginger and garlic, and the kimchi paste.
- Position a gallon-size zip-top bag inside a pitcher or some other vessel that will allow it to be held open for loading. Wearing disposable gloves, mix the kimchi paste into the cabbage mixture with your hands, being sure to thoroughly coat the cabbage with the paste (see Cook's Note).
- Transfer the mixture to the plastic bag, then ditch the gloves and seal the bag, working out as much air as possible. The lactic acid bacteria that will magically transform the humble ingredients into kimchee prefer anaerobic environments.
- Place the sealed bag flat on a sheet pan or large baking dish and leave at room temperature until the mixture has bubbled enough to inflate the bag, at least 24 hours, but possibly up to 3 days. Transfer the kimchi and its liquid into two wide-mouthed quart-size glass jars with lids and refrigerate. Consume immediately for very fresh kimchi, or leave it for a month for a kimchi that's deeply flavored, well-rounded, and slightly effervescent.
- Refrigerated, kimchi will basically never go bad and will actually improve in flavor for months after going into the jar. Cooking will mellow its flavors, so if it gets too funky for you, it's time to make kimchi fried rice.
KIM-CHEE - K'S WAY
Steps:
- In a colander in the sink, sprinkle cabbage with salt and toss to combine. Let sit about 1 1/2 hours or until cabbage wilts. Rinse several times with cold water and drain well. Squeeze out any excess water. Combine cabbage with carrots, radish and green onions. In a small bowl, mix together soy sauce, water, vinegar, garlic, honey and chile peppers. Place cabbage mixture in a clean glass jar or glass bowl (about 1 quart or larger). Pour liquid over cabbage and place in refrigerator or cool dark place for 24 hours.
KIM CHEE BASE
Number Of Ingredients 9
Steps:
- heat water with sugar until sugar is dissolved, then add mochiko flour and heat through until thickened. remove from heat, allow to cool a little. add chilli pepper powder until desired hotness. in blender/food processor, process garlic,ginger and onion. add to flour mixture. add green onions/chives last.
Tips:
- Choose the right cabbage: Napa cabbage is the traditional choice for kimchi, but you can also use other types of cabbage, such as green cabbage or Savoy cabbage. Look for cabbages that are firm and heavy, with no signs of wilting or bruising.
- Use a variety of vegetables: In addition to cabbage, kimchi can be made with a variety of other vegetables, such as radishes, carrots, scallions, and garlic. You can also add fruit, such as apples or pears, to add sweetness and complexity.
- Season the kimchi well: Kimchi is a fermented food, so it's important to season it well to ensure that it develops the right flavor. Use a combination of salt, garlic, ginger, and gochugaru (Korean chili powder) to create a flavorful and spicy kimchi.
- Ferment the kimchi at the right temperature: Kimchi should be fermented at a cool temperature, between 60 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit. This will allow the kimchi to ferment slowly and develop its full flavor.
- Store the kimchi properly: Once the kimchi is fermented, it can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 6 months. Be sure to keep the kimchi in an airtight container to prevent it from spoiling.
Conclusion:
Kimchi is a delicious and versatile fermented food that can be enjoyed in a variety of ways. It can be served as a side dish, used as an ingredient in other dishes, or even eaten on its own. With its spicy, sour, and umami flavor, kimchi is a great way to add flavor and depth to your meals. So next time you're looking for a new and exciting way to enjoy vegetables, give kimchi a try!
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