Red Cabbage Kimchi
- 1 large head red cabbage
- 1 cup plus 2 teaspoons/300 grams fine sea salt
- 6 1/2 quarts/6,000 grams water
- 1 cup/200 grams sugar
- 2 bunches (4 1/2 ounces scallions), root ends trimmed
- 2 bunches (11 ounces) watercress, root ends trimmed
- 1 large (1 1/3 pounds/615 grams) Korean radish, peeled and grated (you may substitute daikon if you cant locate Korean radish)
- 6 (1 3/4 pounds) Anjou pears, peeled and grated
- 5 1/4 ounces/150 grams ginger, peeled and roughly chopped
- 3 heads garlic, peeled
- 1/2 cup/150 grams fish sauce
- 1/4 cup/75 grams shrimp paste
- 4 teaspoons/8 grams cayenne pepper
- 5 teaspoons/10 grams crushed red pepper flakes
- Cut the cabbage into quarters through its core.
- Cut the core out of each quarter.
- Cut each quarter cabbage into 4 sections lengthwise.
- In a large bowl or plastic container, dissolve the salt in the water; then add the cabbage, breaking it apart as you add it to the brine.
- Use several plates to weigh the cabbage down so it is submerged in the solution.
- Let the cabbage soak for at least 6 hours and preferably overnight (10 to 12 hours).
- Remove the cabbage from the brine and spin it in a salad spinner to remove the excess moisture.
- Place the drained cabbage in a large bowl and toss it with the sugar.
- Make sure the cabbage is evenly coated with the sugar.
- Cut the scallions and the watercress into 1-inch (2.5-centimeter) sections and put them in a food processor.
- Process until finely minced.
- Combine the scallions and watercress with the cabbage, then add the grated radish and pears.
- Toss the mixture to thoroughly combine.
- Put the ginger, garlic, fish sauce, shrimp paste, cayenne, and red pepper flakes in a blender and puree until smooth.
- Pour over the cabbage mixture, using a large spoon to stir until the puree and the vegetables are evenly combined.
- Pack the mixture into a nonreactive container and cover it loosely with plastic wrap or a lid.
- Let the cabbage sit at room temperature for 2 to 6 days, depending on the temperature of the room.
- (A cooler room will take more time; a warmer room will take less.)
- The kimchi will be ready when the mixture changes to a uniform purple color throughout.
- Bubbles will be visible in the kimchi and it will have a pH of 4.5 or lower.
- When the kimchi is ready, pack it into jars and refrigerate.
- The kimchi will continue to mature and ferment in the refrigerator, though this will happen much more slowly in the cold environment.
- The kimchi should be eaten within 3 to 4 weeks.
head red cabbage, salt, water, sugar, bunches, bunches, korean, ginger, garlic, fish sauce, shrimp paste, cayenne pepper, red pepper
Taken from www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/red-cabbage-kimchi-374121 (may not work)