by Emily Ho

How to Make Cabbage Kimchi Recipe

The first few times I tried kimchi it was not, I must admit, my favorite food. Then I met my Korean-American partner, Gregory, moved in with his mom -- a superb cook -- and within a few months I was wholly converted. These days my mouth waters at the slightest whiff of pungent, fermented cabbage, and I'll eat it with everything from fried rice to dumplings to summer rolls. I even eat it straight out of the jar.

I still have a lot to learn from Mom when it comes to cabbage kimchi making (there are more than a hundred different kinds!) but this mak kimchi, or simple kimchi, recipe has been a great place to start.

Baechu, or napa cabbage, kimchi is made by lacto-fermentation, the same process that creates sauerkraut and traditional dill pickles. In the first stage, the cabbage is soaked in a salty brine that kills off harmful bacteria. In the second stage, the remaining Lactobacillus bacteria (the good guys!) convert sugars into lactic acid, which preserves the vegetables and gives them that wonderful, tangy flavor. (If you want to learn more about fermentation, I highly recommend "The Art of Fermentation" by Sandor Katz.)

While questioning my Korean family and friends about kimchi, I have received all kinds of opinions. Some cooks swear by a little bit of sugar, while others completely shun sweeteners. There are people who include carrots, and there are people who wrinkle their noses at the idea. I'm a vegetarian, and my mother-in-law happily makes fish- and shrimp-free kimchi for me, but I'm sure some would consider it blasphemy to leave out the seafood. (I like adding a bit of kelp powder for umami flavor.)

This can be confusing, but I think it's actually a good thing. It means that you and your family can make kimchi your own. Rely on your own sense of smell and taste and you'll end up with a fine batch. Two cautions from my mother-in-law, however: Too much garlic can make the kimchi bitter, and too much ginger can make it sticky. As for the gochugaru, or red pepper powder, adjust the amount to your liking. Kimchi can be mild or fiery; it's your choice.

Cabbage Kimchi Recipe

    Prep Time: 1 hour 30 minutes

    Yield: Makes 1 quart

Cabbage Kimchi Ingredients

    1 (2-pound) head napa cabbage

    1/4 cup sea salt or kosher salt (see recipe notes)

    Water (see notes)

    1 tablespoon grated garlic (about 5-6 cloves)

    1 teaspoon grated ginger

    1 teaspoon sugar

    2-3 tablespoons seafood flavor or water (optional, see notes)

    1-5 tablespoons Korean red pepper flakes (gochugaru)

    8 ounces Korean radish or daikon, peeled and cut into matchsticks

    4 scallions, trimmed and cut into 1-inch pieces

Cabbage Kimchi Recipe Instructions

    1. Cut the cabbage lengthwise into quarters and remove the cores. Cut each quarter crosswise into 2-inch wide strips.

    2. Place the cabbage and salt in a large bowl. Using your hands (gloves optional), massage the salt into the cabbage until it starts to soften a bit, then add water to cover the cabbage. Put a plate on top and weigh it down with something heavy, like a jar or can of beans. Let stand for 1-2 hours.

    3. Rinse the cabbage under cold water 3 times and drain in a colander for 15-20 minutes. Rinse and dry the bowl you used for salting, and set it aside to use in step 5.

    4. Meanwhile, combine the garlic, ginger, sugar and seafood flavor (or 3 tablespoons water) in a small bowl, and mix to form a smooth paste. Mix in the gochugaru, using 1 tablespoon for mild and up to 5 tablespoons for spicy (I like about 3 1/2 tablespoons).

    5. Gently squeeze any remaining water from the cabbage and return it to the bowl along with the radish, scallions and seasoning paste.

    6. Using your hands, gently work the paste into the vegetables until they are thoroughly coated. The gloves are optional here but highly recommended to protect your hands from stings, stains and smells!

    7. Pack the kimchi into the jar, pressing down on it until the brine rises to cover the vegetables. Leave at least 1-inch of headspace. Seal the jar with the lid.

    8. Let the jar stand at room temperature for 1-5 days. You may see bubbles inside the jar and brine may seep out of the lid; place a bowl or plate under the jar to help catch any overflow.

    9. Check the kimchi once a day, pressing down on the vegetables with a clean finger or spoon to keep them submerged under the brine. (This also releases gases produced during fermentation.) Taste a little at this point, too! When the kimchi tastes ripe enough for your liking, transfer the jar to the refrigerator. You may eat it right away, but it's best after another week or two.

Cabbage Kimchi Recipe Notes

Salt: Use salt that is free of iodine and/or anti-caking agents, which can inhibit fermentation.

Water: Chlorinated water can inhibit fermentation, so use spring, distilled or filtered water if you can.

Seafood flavor and vegetarian alternatives: Seafood gives kimchi an umami flavor. Different regions and families may use fish sauce, salted shrimp paste, oysters and other seafood. Use about 2 tablespoons of fish sauce, salted shrimp paste or a combination of the two. For vegetarian kimchi, I like using 3/4 teaspoon kelp powder mixed with 3 tablespoons water, or simply 3 tablespoons of water.

Kimchi, Cabbage Kimchi, Korean

 

Subscribe to Receive our Gourmet Recipes


How to Make Cabbage Kimchi - Korean Kimchi Recipe

World-renowned chefs with an extraordinary passion for food share their passion on iHaveNet.com. These chefs make great cooking easier than imagined. Each gourmet recipe features expert advice and an easy-to-make recipe. Exactly what you need to transform your home cooking from acceptable to delectable

Article: © Tribune Content Agency