Traditional Napa Cabbage Kimchi Food

TRADITIONAL KIMCHI (NAPA CABBAGE KIMCHI)

Steps:

• Cut the thick white part of the cabbage lengthwise in half. Then, slowly pull apart by hand to separate into two pieces. Do the same for each half to make quarters. Running the knife through all the way would unnecessarily cut off the cabbage leaves.
• In a large bowl, dissolve 1/2 cup of salt in 5 cups of water. Thoroughly bathe each cabbage quarter in the salt water one at a time, shake off excess water back into the bowl, and then transfer to another bowl.
• Using the other half cup of salt and starting from the outermost leaf, generously sprinkle salt over the thick white part of each leaf (similar to salting a piece of meat). Try to salt all the cabbage quarters with 1/2 cup salt, but you can use a little more if needed. Repeat with the rest of the cabbage quarters. Pour the remaining salt water from the first bowl over the cabbage. Set aside for about 6 - 8 hours, rotating the bottom ones to the top every 2 - 3 hours.
• The cabbages should be ready to be washed when the white parts of the leaves are easily bendable. Rinse thoroughly 3 times, especially between the white parts. Drain well, cut side down.
• Meanwhile, make the optional dashima broth by boiling a small piece (2 to 3 inch square) in 1.5 cup of water for 5 minutes, and cool. Mix the rice powder with 1/2 cup water (or optional dashima broth) and simmer over low heat, stirring occasionally, until it thickens to a thin paste, and cool.
• Prepare the garlic, ginger and saeujeot. Combine all the seasoning ingredients, including the rice paste and about 1/2 cup water (or the optional dashima broth), and mix well. Set aside until the red pepper flakes to dissolve slightly and become pasty.
• Cut the radish and optional pear into matchsticks (use a mandoline if desired), transferring to a large bowl. Cut the scallions diagonally into about 1-inch long pieces. Add the prepared seasoning mix to the radish, and mix well by hand. Throw in the scallions, and mix everything lightly. Taste a little bit. It should be a little too salty to eat as is. You can add salt, more salted shrimp or fish sauce, as needed. Let it sit for about 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld nicely.
• Cut off the tough stem part from each cabbage quarter, leaving enough to hold the leaves together. Place one cabbage quarter in the bowl with the radish mix. Spread the radish mix over each leaf, one to two tablespoons for large leaves. (Eyeball the stuffing into 4 parts and use one part for each cabbage quarter.)
• Fold the leaf part of the cabbage over toward the stem and nicely wrap it with the outermost leaf. Place it, cut side up, in a jar or airtight container. Repeat with the remaining cabbages. If you have lose large leaves, you can use them to cover the top of the kimchi (see note 1). Once all the cabbages are in the jar or airtight container, press down hard to remove air pockets. Rinse the bowl that contained the radish mix with 1/2 cup of water (or any remaining optional dashima broth) and pour into the kimchi container. Close the lid.
• Leave it out at room temperature for a full day or two, depending on the weather and how fast you want your kimchi to ripen. A half day is recommended during hot summer days. Then, store in the fridge. (See note 2.)

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.

KIMCHI

Steps:

• Start this in the evening.
• Wash your kitchen sink well with soap and then put the plug in.Run the cool water.
• Trim off any yellowed or unattractive parts of the napa.
• Cut each cabbage in 1/4 at the root end. cut off the tough root at an angle and cut the leaves into large bit size pieces then place all of this into the sink. Throw the tough root away.
• Keep going until all of the cabbage in in the sink. Rinse the cabbage well and then use hands or a colander to drain the cabbage slightly and place into very large bowls.
• Follow the previous step once more until you are sure that the cabbage is very clean.
• Evenly sprinkle the 1/2 cup salt over the cabbage and try to toss the best you can.
• Once before you go to bed toss the cabbage again to evenly distribute the saltly water that is being made.
• In the morning toss the cabbage again. You should notice that the cabbage has shrunk by 1/3 or maybe 1/2 at most.
• Taste the salty water that has collected. It should be salty but not to the point you wouldn't want to taste it again. If it doesn't seem saltly enough add a few more Tablespoons of salt.
• Now check the cabbage. Take a piece of the thick white part and bend it. It should give, but not be soft. Salting takes 10-14 hours.
• Next prepare the flour porridge. Put 3 cups cold water and the 1/2 cup sweet rice flour in a large saucepan over med-high heat. STIR constantly. Once it is boiling and has thicken significantly keep stirring and cooking it for 1 more minute.
• Take the flour porridge off the heat and cool completely.
• Once the porridge has cooled completely to room temperature, put the rest of the ingredients in to the large saucepan and combine well. Stir for a few minutes to draw out the red color of the gochugaru.
• Wearing rubber gloves or some other kind of protective glove, pour the sauce mixture over the cabbage and rub it in well. Not just mix it. You much rub it so that every piece of cabbage has been coated. This rubbing will encourage the red color too.
• Taste a small piece of kimchi. It has not fermented yet, but see if you feel it lacks something. Whether salt or sugar. Adjust if you need to.
• Place the unfermented cabbage into 2 large kimchi jars with tightfitting tops. Press down the cabbage leaving space at the top. This will keep the kimchi juice from overflowing when it ferments. put a piece of plastic wrap over the top and then screw on the lid.
• Place one jar into the back of your fridge. You can take this one out and ferment it when the first jar is done.
• Place one jar on the counter on top of a plate with a lip (this catches any possible overflows) for 1-2 days. After 1 day, take a piece out and taste to see if you like the level of fermentation. If not try another piece after 1/2 day or 1 day. 2 days should be the maximum time it takes. Each time you open the jar, press down the cabbage because the bubbles from the fermentation will cause the cabbage to lift out of the liquid. After you are satisfied with the fermentation level, place the jar into the fridge and enjoy.
• After the kimchi has become to soft for you to enjoy eating raw, it is perfect for cooked applications. Do not throw it away. This does not rot easily unless you contaminate the jar.

NAPA CABBAGE KIMCHI

Steps:

• Halve cabbage lengthwise. Cut halves crosswise into 1-inch-wide pieces. In a large bowl, toss cabbage with salt and 2 tablespoons sugar. Transfer to refrigerator and let stand overnight.
• In a large bowl, combine garlic, ginger, kochukaru, fish sauce, usukuchi, shrimp, and remaining 1/2 cup sugar. If mixture is very thick, add water, 1/3 cup at a time, until consistency is just thicker than a creamy salad dressing. Stir in scallions and carrots.
• Drain cabbage and add to bowl with garlic mixture. Cover and transfer to refrigerator for at least 24 hours. It is best when kept refrigerated for 2 weeks but will keep refrigerated for up to 1 month.