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Kimchi (Korean Sauerkraut)

This has loads of flavour from garlic, ginger, onions, fish sauce and Gochugaru.
Total Time 30 minutes

Equipment

  • 1 Large Mixing Bowl
  • 1 Food processor fitted with the shredder attachment optional
  • 2-3 Large Jars for fermentation
  • Fermentation Weights optional

Ingredients
  

  • 2 Medium-large heads of Napa cabbage
  • 1/4 Cup High quality sea salt, such as Celtic or Baja Gold
  • 1-2 Daikon Radish
  • 1 Bunch green onions, or 1-2 onions
  • 2-3 Medium sized carrots
  • 1 2 inch piece of ginger more or less, depending on your preference
  • 6 Cloves of garlic
  • 1/3 Cup Fish sauce
  • 4 tsp Gochugaru or more or less, to taste

Instructions
 

  • Start by washing your cabbage. Take off 2-4 of the outer leaves to use for topping the Kimchi in your jars. Then you can choose to either chop or shred your cabbage.
  • Add your cabbage to a large bowl and add your salt. With clean hands, mix and squeeze the cabbage to release some of its juices.
  • Next, add the daikon radishes, carrots and regular onions (if using) to a food processor and shred. Alternatively you can do this by hand with a knife or with a box grater.
  • Chop your green onions into 1/2 inch pieces, if using.
  • Grate or finely mince your garlic and ginger.
  • Add all your shredded vegetables ginger and fish sauce to the bowl with the cabbage and use clean hands to combine.
  • Add in your Gochugaru, (a tsp at a time if you're not big on spice) and taste a bite to see if the spice level is to your liking.
  • Now, fill your jars or crocks with the Kimchi and press down with clean hands or a meat pounder until the liquid covers the vegetables. Add water if necessary. Cover with your reserved cabbage leaves or fermentation weights.
  • You can cover with a regular lid or a fermentation lid. A regular lid will work just fine.
  • Let the Kimchi ferment at room temperature anywhere between 3 days to 2 weeks. This will depend on the temperature of your home and your desired taste. The best way to tell if its ready to be transferred to the fridge is to taste a little bit. After 3 days, taste to see if it is pleasantly sour. There should also be a good amount of bubbles forming when it is ready.
  • Enjoy!