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Kimchi
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Kimchi

Recipe adapted from Epicurious and the San Francisco Chronicle (links below).

I couldn’t find chili powder so I used some Thai chili paste, which made the kimchi a bit murky. If you can, try to find the Korean chile powder. I added a scant teaspoon of Mexican chile powder for color. Even though my arm was killing me from carrying home all that pork, I was a trooper and hand-chopped all the garlic and ginger. But I think it could also be done in a blender or food processor.

Course: Others

Ingredients

  • 1 Napa cabbage or Chinese cabbage, large
  • 1 gallon (4l) water
  • 1/2 cup (100g) salt coarse
  • 1 garlic peeled and finely minced, small head
  • one inch (6cm) piece fresh ginger peeled and minced
  • 1/4 cup (60ml) fish sauce
  • 1/3 cup (80ml) chili paste or 1/2 cup Korean chili powder
  • 1 green onions cut into 1-inch (3cm) lengths (use the dark green part, too, except for the tough ends, bunch
  • 1 daikon radish peeled and grated, medium
  • 1 teaspoon sugar or honey

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. 1. Slice the cabbage lengthwise in half, then slice each half lengthwise into 3 sections. Cut away the tough stem chunks.
  2. 2. Dissolve the salt in the water in a very large container, then submerge the cabbage under the water. Put a plate on top to make sure they stay under water, then let stand for 2 hours.
  3. 3. Mix the other ingredients in a very large metal or glass bowl.
  4. 4. Drain the cabbage, rinse it, and squeeze it dry.
  5. 5. Here’s the scary part: mix it all up.
  6. Some recipes advise wearing rubber gloves since the chili paste can stain your hands.
  7. 6. Pack the kimchi in a clean glass jar large enough to hold it all and cover it tightly. Let stand for one to two days in a cool place, around room temperature.
  8. 7. Check the kimchi after 1-2 days. If it’s bubbling a bit, it’s ready and should be refrigerated. If not, let it stand another day, when it should be ready.
  9. 8. Once it’s fermenting, serve or store in the refrigerator. If you want, add a sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds over the kimchi for serving.

Notes

  • Storage: Many advise to eat the kimchi within 3 weeks. After that, it can get too fermented.