m bought me mother in law’s kimchi diy kimchi kit last weekend and i am making it now.
don’t underestimate the fish sauce – the whole house smells.
m + j
m bought me mother in law’s kimchi diy kimchi kit last weekend and i am making it now.
don’t underestimate the fish sauce – the whole house smells.
opened up the kimchi for a taste on friday, 25 september and now having a full bowl today. it’s fishy and super spicy but not very fermented and certainly not swimming in sauce. i love the small 1×1 inch pieces. but at this rate, it’ll never ferment more than a couple of months.
1 head (2-2.5 Pounds) Napa cabbage or green cabbage, cut into 2 by 1-inch pieces
2 Tablespoons Kosher Salt
2 Teaspoons Minced garlic (about 2 large cloves)
1 Teaspoon peeled, Finely grated fresh ginger
2 Tablespoons Fish sauce (omit if vegan)
1 Teaspoon Sugar
3 Tablespoons Korean chile pepper flakes (gochugaru)
4 Green onions, green parts only, cut into 2″ pieces
1/4 Cup Yellow onion, thinly sliced
1. In a large bowl, combine the cabbage with the salt. Mix thoroughly with your hands so the salt is well distributed. Set aside for about 50 minutes. Lightly rinse the cabbage in a colander to remove any traces of salt and drain in a colander for 10-15 minutes.
2. In the meantime, mix garlic, ginger, fish sauce, and sugar until a paste forms. Mix in the chile peppers and let the paste combine for 15 minutes so the flavors meld.
3. In a large bowl, mix the green onions, yellow onion, the seasoning paste, and the drained cabbage. Add the seasoning paste and mix until it’s thoroughly incorporated.
4. Pack tightly into a quart glass jar pressing down to make sure it’s firmly packed. Add 1/4 cup water into the mixing bowl and swirl to get all the remaining seasoning paste and pour into the jar. Set aside for 3 days at room temperature. The cabbage will expand as it ferments so be sure to place the jar on a plate. After 3 days, the kimchi is ready to consume! Refrigerate whatever remains and enjoy for up to 1 year. You’ll notice the the flavors and texture will take on complexity as it evolves.