My family loves this kimchi recipe. It’s spicy and crunchy and salty. Kimchi is a great side dish for those nights you don’t have time to make a salad.
Reserve one outer leaf of cabbage. Chop the remaining cabbage, bok choy, and green onions coarsely and put in large bowl. Mix in daikon, carrot, and salt. Work the ingredients with your hands. This step helps the cabbage release its juices. The bulk of the greens will reduce by about half as you work it.
1 head green cabbage, 3 small bunches bok choy, 3 green onions, 1 cup daikon, 1 cup carrots, 1 1/2 tablespoons salt
Set greens aside; mince the garlic and ginger and stir into the cabbage along with the pepper flakes and sesame seeds.
8 - 10 cloves garlic, 1 inch fresh ginger, 1 - 3 tablespoons red pepper flakes, 1 tablespoon sesame seeds
Transfer mixture to a half gallon jar (or two quart jars). Push the greens down until they’re covered by juices.
Place the retained cabbage leaf over the top of the kimchi to help keep the small bits under liquid. Place one or two glass weights on top of cabbage. If the solid ingredients are not entirely covered by juices, top it off with a bit of filtered water. It’s essential that the ingredients for this kimchi recipe are completely submerged.
Fermenting the kimchi recipe
Let sit at room temperature for a several days or a week, then refrigerate or store in a cool, dry place.
Notes
It will not look like you have much juice, initially. When you press the ingredients for this kimchi recipe down into the jar, you’ll be surprised.
2 tablespoons of red pepper flakes makes a fairly spicy kimchi; 3 makes it fiery. Use more or less to taste.