Kim Chee Ks Way Recipes

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.

KIMCHEE

Steps:

• Chop cabbage coarsely and place in a large dish.
• Sprinkle cabbage with salt; let stand 3-4 hours.
• Squeeze cabbage dry with hands and place in another bowl.
• Add remaining ingredients except sesame oil, and mix well.
• Refrigerate at least 24 hours before serving.
• Sprinkle with a few drops of sesame oil on each serving, if desired.

MR. N'S KIMCHEE BASE

Steps:

• Combine first 7 ingredients in a bowl and refrigerate.
• Put the napa cabbage in a large bowl.
• Stir and rub the scant 1/4 cup of salt onto the napa cabbage.
• Press overnight until the liquid rises out of the napa cabbage -- don't add water and don't drain.
• To press, use a lid that is smaller than the bowl you are using and put some sort of weight on the top.
• Add TO TASTE the kimchee base that you prepared the night before to the napa cabbage and its liquid.
• Mix in the green onions, if desired.
• Refrigerate and serve the next day.
• The base can be used for cucumbers instead of napa cabbage, following the directions above but substituting cucumbers instead.