Kimchi is one of those dishes that tends to get pigeonholed. The boldly-flavored, spicy-tangy-sour fermented condiment is an iconic staple of Korean cuisine. It’s the ever-present star of any banchan spread—the selection of small side dishes that accompany rice ahead of the main course of a traditional Korean meal. Its prized, signature funk is used to add complexity to any number of stews, rice and noodle dishes, and savory snacks.
So maybe I should qualify my opening statement. It’s not that the kimchi is thought of as a one-trick pony in terms of its culinary applications, but rather that folks rarely think of any type of kimchi beyond the most popular Napa cabbage version. It’s a great baseline, to be sure, but as these recipes prove, it’s not the only vegetable or fruit that plays well in the kimchi club. Check out seven favorite kimchi variations.
Carrot Kimchi
Lukas Volger
If you’re tired of the plain old carrot snack routine, try spicing it up (literally) with this creative take on kimchi. Here, small, peeled carrots spend two days fermenting in a mixture of rice flour, ginger, garlic, scallion, Korean red pepper flakes, and brown sugar to create a flavorful, crunchy condiment that’s equally delicious on its own or mixed into a hearty salad. (Or, better yet, how about as an outside-the-box Bloody Mary garnish?). The batch will be good up to a month, but chances are they won’t last that long. Get the recipe.
Cubed Radish Kimchi (a.k.a. Kkakdugi)
Korean Bapsang
In this popular style of traditional kimchi, Korean white radish—a.k.a. daikon—is cut into large cubes and quick-cured with a pungent seasoning blend of Korean red chili pepper flakes, minced salted shrimp, fresh shrimp, fish sauce, garlic, and ginger. Get the recipe.
Kale Kimchi
Jeanette’s Healthy Living
Just when you thought kale couldn’t get any better for you, it goes and gets a kimchi makeover that allows it to add the good-for-you benefits of fermentation (a happier, healthier gut; immune system boost, etc.) to its resume. Get the recipe.
Cucumber Kimchi with Chives
Kimchimari
The naturally refreshing profile of cool, crunchy cucumber is a perfect complement to the bold flavor and heat of kimchi seasoning. A couple words of advice, though: Regular garden cucumbers won’t work well here, rather you’ll want to reach for a smaller-seeded variety like Korean (ideally), Kirby, or Persian. Make sure to use Korean Cheonilyeomnd salt and whatever you do, don’t peel the cukes beforehand. This quick and easy recipe comes together in about 36 hours, but just be mindful that this style of kimchi won’t last as long as the traditional cabbage—after more than a couple weeks the cucumbers will turn too soft and mushy. Get the recipe.
Brussels Sprouts Kimchi
Fried Green Kimchi
Adding strips of crispy bacon isn’t the only way to up the appeal of this love-it-or-hate-it veggie—the kimchi treatment gives this otherwise bitter, bland ingredient the punchy flavor it needs to stand out in a crowd. Get the recipe.
Green Bean Kimchi
Mel’s Food Blog
If you dig those deliciously addictive pickled string beans known as Dilly Beans, you’re going to go gaga for this similarly appealing green bean kimchi. Aside from being a great standalone snack, they also make a cool, unexpected addition to a cheese and charcuterie board. Get the recipe.
White Pear Kimchi
Goop
If you tend to find the loud, in-your-face flavor of traditional kimchi to be a bit much for you, this milder Asian pear and mixed veggie kimchi riff is likely to be right up your alley. Instead of the typical chili pepper flakes and fish sauce, this bright medley of fermented pear, cabbage, bell pepper, broccoli, and daikon is seasoned with ginger, ground coriander, ground fennel, and jalapeño. Enjoy it on its own as a light, tangy warm weather salad. Get the recipe.
from Food News – Chowhound http://ift.tt/2pmSu5F
via
IFTTT
Get Recipe!
Get Recipe!
