Best Classic Cabbage Kimchi Recipes

CLASSIC CABBAGE KIMCHI

Steps:

• Rinse the cabbage, and then quarter the heads lengthwise. Place the pieces in a large pot or bucket, and sprinkle 1 tablespoon of the salt over them. Set aside for 1 hour.
• Rinse the cabbage under cold running water, and pat it dry. Cut the cabbage into 1-inch pieces, put them in a large bowl, and toss with the remaining 3 tablespoons salt. Let sit for 2 hours. The salt will draw out moisture from the cabbage.
• Drain off the accumulated liquid and lightly rinse the cabbage. In a large bowl, combine the cabbage with all the remaining ingredients, and toss well. Transfer the mixture to a large crock and push the mixture down to force the liquid to rise to the top, somewhat submerging the cabbage in its spicy surroundings. Cover it with a lid and store it in a cool, dark place for 3 days to ferment and mature.
• Once the kimchi is tasting all kinds of yummy, transfer it to clean jars (I like quarts), cap them, and store in the fridge (which will inhibit further fermentation) for up to a month or process according to the jar manufacturer's directions to store on the shelf for up to 9 months.

TRADITIONAL NAPA CABBAGE KIMCHI

Steps:

• 1. Dissolve 1 cup salt in 1/2 gallon water. Soak cabbage in the salt water for 3 to 4 hours.
• 2. Combine garlic, ginger, and fish sauce or shrimp in food processor or blender until finely minced.
• 3. In large bowl, combine radish, green onions, mustard greens, garlic mixture, chili powder, 1 tablespoon salt and optional sugar. Toss gently but thoroughly. (If mixing with your hands, be sure to wear rubber gloves to avoid chili burn.)
• 4. Remove cabbage from water and rinse thoroughly. Drain cabbage in colander, squeezing as much water from the leaves as possible. Take cabbage and stuff radish mixture between leaves, working from outside in, starting with largest leaf to smallest. Do not overstuff, but make sure radish mixture adequately fills leaves. When entire cabbage is stuffed, take one of the larger leaves and wrap tightly around the rest of the cabbage. Divide cabbage among 4 (1-quart) jars or 1-gallon jar, pressing down firmly to remove any air bubbles.
• 5. Let sit for 2 to 3 days in a cool place before serving. Remove kimchi from jar and slice into 1-inch-length pieces. If serving before kimchi is fermented, sprinkle with a little bit of sesame oil and sesame seeds. Refrigerate after opening.

SPICY CABBAGE KIMCHI

Steps:

• Cut the cabbages in half lengthwise and trim the ends. Rinse and cut into pieces about 2 inch square. Place the cabbage into large resealable bags and sprinkle salt on the leaves so they are evenly coated. Use your hands to rub the salt in to the leaves. Seal the bags and leave at room temperature for 6 hours.
• Rinse the salt from the cabbage leaves and then drain and squeeze out any excess liquid. Place the cabbage in a large container with a tight fitting lid. Stir in the fish sauce, green onions, white onion, garlic, sugar and ginger. Sprinkle the Korean chile powder over the mixture. Wear plastic gloves to protect your hands and rub the chile powder into the cabbage leaves until evenly coated. Seal the container and set in a cool dry place. Leave undisturbed for 4 days. Refrigerate before serving, and store in the refrigerator for up to 1 month (if it lasts that long!).

ULTIMATE CABBAGE KIMCHI

Steps:

• Remove outer leave from cabbages and quarter each lengthwise; remove and discard cores. Slice each quarter crosswise into 2-inch pieces.
• Fill a clean sink with cold water and add cabbage to the water; let dirt and grit sink to bottom. Remove cabbage from water, leaving dirt behind. Drain sink and rinse. Refill sink with water and repeat process.
• Using very large bowls, layer cabbage with salt; let stand 45 minutes. Using your hands, toss cabbage, and let stand 45 minutes more. Fill sink with cold water and add cabbage to the water. Remove cabbage; drain sink and rinse; repeat process to remove all the salt.
• Fill a large saucepan with 3 cups water; whisk in rice powder. Bring rice powder mixture to a simmer over low heat, whisking constantly, until mixture thickens, about 3 minutes. Add sugar and cook 1 minute more. Remove saucepan from heat and let cool completely. To speed cooling process, fill a large bowl with ice water. Submerge pot into ice-water bath until liquid is cooled.
• Place ginger, garlic, and onion in the jar of a blender or bowl of a food processor; puree until smooth. Add fish sauce and mix to combine.
• Place cooled rice powder mixture, ginger mixture, radish, scallions, red pepper powder, and salted shrimp in a large bowl. Wearing disposable plastic gloves and, using your hands, mix until well combined. Add cabbage and continue mixing until well combined.
• Transfer cabbage mixture to six glass quart containers or a large plastic container, packing cabbage tightly to remove as much air as possible. Place plastic wrap directly on surface of cabbage before covering containers with lids. Let stand at room temperature for 2 to 4 days. Transfer to refrigerator for up to 6 months. Be sure to press down on kimchi to remove as much air as possible after each use.