Baek Kimchi (White Kimchi)
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4.8
54 reviews
Excellent
Baek Kimchi (White Kimchi)
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Baek kimchi is a variety of kimchi that's made without gochugaru (red chili pepper flakes). Enjoy white kimchi for its mild, refreshing taste. It's child-friendly and great for people who have issues with spicy food.
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Ingredients
- 2 medium napa cabbages about 4 pounds each
- 1-1/2 cups Korean coarse sea salt
- 7-1/2 cups water
Stuffing:
- 1 pound Korean radish mu, 무
- 1/2 red bell pepper
- 1/2 orange or yellow bell pepper
- 1/2 large Korean pear
- 3 to 4 scallions
- 1/4 cup Salted shrimp saeujeot, 새우젓, finely minced
- 1 tablespoon fish sauce myulchiaekjeot, 멸치액젓
- 2 tablespoons minced garlic
- 1 teaspoon grated ginger
Optional stuffing ingredients
- 1 ounce minari 미나리
- 1 tablespoon pine nuts, 잣
- 4 to 5 chestnuts, 밤
- 4 to 5 jujubes, daechu 대추
- 1 teaspoon sesame seeds
Brine:
- 1 tablespoon glutinous rice powder (Mix with 1/2 cup water, simmer over low heat until thickens to a thin paste and cool. Yields about 3 to 4 tablespoons.)
- 4 cups water
- salt to taste start with 2 teaspoons
Instructions
- Cut the cabbage lengthwise into quarters by cutting the stem end in half (only about 4 inches in) and then slowly pulling apart to separate into two pieces by hand. Do the same for each half to make quarters. Running the knife through all the way would unnecessarily cut off the cabbage leaves.
- In a large bowl, dissolve 3/4 cup of salt in 7.5 cups of water. Thoroughly bathe each cabbage quarter in the saltwater one at a time, shake off excess water back into the bowl, and then transfer to another bowl.
- Using the remaining salt (3/4 cup) and starting from the outermost leaf, generously sprinkle salt over the thick white part of each leaf (similar to salting a piece of meat). You can use a little more if needed. Repeat with the rest of the cabbage quarters. Pour the remaining salt water from the first bowl over the cabbages. Set aside for about 6 hours, rotating the bottom ones to the top half way through.
- The cabbages for white kimchi should be ready to be washed when the white parts are soft and flexible, but not totally bendable. Rinse thoroughly 3 times, especially between the white parts of the leaves to wash off any lingering salt. Drain well, cut side down.
- Cut the radish, bell peppers, and pear into match sticks (use a mandoline if available). Cut the scallions and optional minari into 1-inch long pieces, collecting them in a bowl. Julienne the optional chestnuts and jujubes.
- Combine the vegetables with the saeujeot, fish sauce, garlic and ginger. Mix well by hand. Taste — It should be a bit too salty to eat as is. Add salt if necessary. Let it sit for 30 minutes to an hour.
- Cut off the tough stem part from each cabbage quarter, leaving enough to hold the leaves together. Place one cabbage quarter in the bowl with the radish mix. Spread the radish mix over each leaf, one to two tablespoons for large leaves.
- Fold the leaf part of the cabbage over toward the stem and nicely wrap with the outermost leaf before placing it, cut side up, in a jar or airtight container. Repeat with the remaining cabbages. Once all the cabbages are in the jar or airtight container, firmly press down to remove air pockets.
- Make the glutinous rice paste and cool. Add 4 cup of water to the bowl that contained the radish mix. Stir in the rice paste and salt to taste (start with 2 teaspoons). Stir well. Pour over the kimchi.
- Leave it out at room temperature for a full day. Then, store in the fridge. Wait 5 to 7 days before eating. White kimchi doesn’t keep well as long as red spicy kimchi because it’s seasoned lightly and lacks chili peppers that help keep the kimchi from softening. Thus, it’s best eaten within a few weeks.
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Overall Rating
4.8
54 reviews
Excellent
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