It's been far too long since I last made a batch of kimchi. If I go too long without eating kimchi, I begin to feel progressively more desperate for it. Am I the only person who feels this way? Can one have an addiction to kimchi?
1. To make kimchi, start with a nice napa cabbage. From the top, cut it with a knife a third of the way down. Then firmly hold the sides of the cabbage and tear the remainder in two.
2. Fill a bowl full of cold water and toss in a handful of sea salt. (Table salt won't work.) Mix the sea salt in and make brine. Make sure your hands are squeeky clean. Now submerge the cabbage portions, using a place to hold them completely under water. Allow to soak in the brine over night, at least 12 hours.
3. Rinse the portions under cold water twice. Remove any loose exterior leaves. Now create the seasoning by mixing: 1 bunch of green onions (sliced to about 2-3 inches), 1/3 cup crushed garlic, 1/4 cup crushed ginger, 1/4 cup red chili flakes, 1/4 cup red chili powder. Add fish sauce until the mixture is paste consistency.
4. Use your hands to rub the paste in between all the leaves. Fold over the larger leaves so that the seasoning remains inside the cabbage heads. Place into a very clean ceramic cannister with a tight lid, sprinking a little bit of sea salt or an additional amount of fish sauce over the tops. Replace the lid and store in a refrigerator for 2-3 weeks while the flavors mature. If anybody complains about the smell, tell them that the air is very fresh in the backyard.
Comments
Yeah...that's the big knock on the 'chi, the smell. Fish sauce (though flavorful) turns my stomach...however I do soldier through and use it when I (rarely) cook with it :)
Posted by: Jeff | July 28, 2006 08:28 AM
Jeff: I thought you loved Thai food? They use fish sauce in just about everything.
Posted by: Evil Jonny | July 28, 2006 06:06 PM
i tend to have a sort of progressive 'chi addiction. i can go for weeks, months, without having any, but once i have it in something, i want more and more of it in every subsequent meal.
i'm going to try your thai basil pumpkin seed pesto soon!
Posted by: santos. | July 29, 2006 04:54 AM
Yes, if I've not had meat for the last 12 hours, I crave it. If the food industry did not kill an animal for me lately, I send them my money so they can sharpen their knives. Hahahahahaha..... ;-)
BTW, I'm back online after the summer break.
Posted by: The big H | August 1, 2006 12:24 PM
You can absolutely have an addiction to Kimchi - I've been eating it since I was 2 years old (rinsed in water at that age) and have hardly missed a day :)
If you're interested, my family's kimchi recipe is here: http://www.insanitytheory.net/kitchenwench/2006/06/20/shhhhits-a-secret/
Posted by: Ellie | August 5, 2006 04:15 PM
This is the best, most efficient recipe I've seen yet for kimchi (my earnest hunt began this week), with the clearest, simplest instructions!
Oh my poor neighbours, I pity them as I prepare for my mini kimjang!
Posted by: Anita | September 6, 2006 09:19 AM