Homemade KimChi (KimChee)
My
friend Michelle and I have been huge fans of KimChi (KimChee) since we were
little kids. It is one of the many
tastes that our palates agree on. We both love one particular store bought
brand, however it does not have all of the wonderful healthy bacteria
(lactobacilli) that fermented KimChi has. After talking about making our own
homemade KimChi for several months, we finally did it!
I
have to say that it was one of the most exciting things I have made in a long
time. Though making it is pretty easy, it is a long process.
First
you have to clean, cut and salt the napa cabbage. We also used Bok Choy that
Michelle grew in her garden. The salting process takes 4 hours and everything
needs to be flipped over at the two hour marker to ensure even salting.
After 4 hours of salting, thoroughly rise several times, set aside to dry and start to concoct the base.
Cleaned & salted
4 hours later... Rinsed and ready to go!
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| It is incredible how much the cabbage shrinks from start to finish. |
Our
base included: 7oz of hot chilli pepper flakes, 4 bulbs of garlic, 2 small
onions, a huge chunk of ginger, 7 scallions, a cup of fish sauce, water and
rice flour.
Then, saturate the base over each leaf of cabbage. Michelle loves KimChi cucumbers as well so we used up some leftover pickling cucumber that I had as well. Gloves are a requirement for this process! Hot, hot hot!
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| Napa Cabbage |
Be sure to get in between each leaf!
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| Bok Choy |
Ferment
at room temperature for 24-48 hours in an air tight container and then refrigerate.
It is also enjoyable to eat immediately.
KimChi
is high fiber, low cal, VERY flavorful, versatile, loaded with vitamins A, B
and C and laden with great-for-the-belly bacteria!
For the complete recipe and directions, e-mail: CourageousCanners@gmail.com
