Baek Kimchi (White Kimchi)
Enjoy the delicate flavors of Baek Kimchi, a traditional Korean dish that boasts a balance of sweet, salty, and tangy notes with a hint of umami. This dish features Napa cabbage marinated in a blend of aromatic spices and vegetables, creating a refreshing and probiotic-rich side dish that pairs beautifully with any meal.
Ingredients
| 2 | heads Napa cabbage, quartered lengthwise |
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| 1 | cup rock salt or very coarse salt |
| ½ | cup rice flour (non-glutinous) |
| ½ | cup cane sugar |
| 1 | cup fish sauce (if vegetarian, use vegetarian oyster sauce instead) |
| 1 | head garlic, peeled |
| 1 | large piece (½ cup) fresh ginger, peeled |
| 1 | large Asian pear, peeled, cored, and halved |
| 1 | large yellow onion, peeled and halved |
| 1 | cans cans lemon or lime seltzer |
| ½ | cup salted baby shrimp (saeujeot) |
| 1 | bunch scallions, cut into 2-inch pieces |
| 1 | cup shredded carrot |
| 1 | cup julienned red, yellow, or orange bell peppers |
Instructions
Preparation and Marination | |
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| 1. | In a large mixing bowl, combine 1 cup of water and the rock salt. Stir the mixture together until the salt is dissolved. Add the Napa cabbage quarters to the bowl and rub the rock salt mixture on every leaf. Leave the heads of cabbage there for 2 hours, then flip them and leave them there for another 2 hours. Repeat this process 1 to 2 more times, until the cabbage is very tender and limp. |
| 2. | After 8 to 12 hours, squeeze the cabbage and drain the excess water; then rinse the cabbage 2 to 3 times to remove as much of the salt as possible. Repeat the squeezing and draining process so the cabbage is reasonably dry and set aside while you make the sauce. |
| 3. | In a small saucepan not yet set over heat, add the rice flour, cane sugar, and 1 cup of water and mix well to combine. Once mixed, turn on the heat to high and bring to a boil; then reduce the heat to medium-low. Cook for 20 minutes, whisking constantly, until the liquid is thickened to a ribbon-like consistency and you can see the bottom of the pan while whisking. Set aside to cool. |
Kimchi Assembly | |
| 1. | In a blender, combine the fish sauce, pear, onion, ginger, garlic, and blend until very smooth. Transfer to a large mixing bowl. |
| 2. | To this blended mixture, add the seltzer, salted shrimp, rice roux, carrots, and bell peppers, and mix well to combine. |
| 3. | Add the cabbage into the large bowl with the paste, carefully massaging the mixture into the cabbage to coat and fully cover every leaf. I like to add a few of the other vegetables between each cabbage leaf too. |
| 4. | Tightly pack the kimchi into large airtight jars with lids; you can also cover the mixture with a layer of plastic wrap before securing the lids. Allow the kimchi to sit at room temperature for at least 2 days, or longer if you desire a stronger flavor. Then put it in the refrigerator for another 5 days. The kimchi will last for about a month in the fridge. |
Published on Jul 31, 2024 by Luminița