Food:

Disclaimer- the title of this post is not intended to offend or be disrespectful.

White Girl Kimchi made 1 quart & 1 pint

2-2 1/2 lb head of cabbage, I used Napa cabbage

1 bunch scallions, ends trimmed, cut into 3/4 inch pieces

1 T. chopped garlic

1 T. grated ginger

3 T. korean chili

3 T. korean fish sauce

1 T. plus 2 tsp. local honey

coarse sea salt

Directions:

1. Start by placing two colanders in your sink. Next cut the cabbage in half, cut out the core and then cut the cabbage into 1 inch chunks. Divide the cabbage between the two colanders.

2. Sprinkle 1 T. of coarse sea salt over each colander filled with cabbage. Toss the cabbage with your hands to disperse the salt. Let the cabbage sit for thirty minutes.

3. The cabbage should be wilted and reduced in volume. Place the cabbage in a bowl and fill with cold water, swish the cabbage around in the cold water. Drain and rinse two more times (taste it, it should taste seasoned but not overly salty) . Drain well and set aside.

4. In a large bowl mix together the garlic, ginger, scallions, korean chili, korean fish sauce and the honey.

5. GENTLY squeeze the cabbage to drain, just a little! Add the drained seasoned cabbage to the ginger/chili bowl and toss well to coat all of the cabbage (taste it and adjust seasoning). Pack the cabbage into glass mason jars being sure to leave a little head room, place a tight-fitting lid on the jar. Place the jars in a cool dark place, I place mine in the cabinet above my fridge. Let the kimchi sit for about three days and then place it in the fridge. I like to unscrew the lids and push the kimchi down and release some kimchi gases before storing in the fridge.

Love:

This is how I knew my kimchi was ready to go in the fridge- my husband came up from downstairs and said “what stinks?!” I said “kimchi is ready!” I have loved kimchi ever since I was a kid, I often wonder what my parents thought about their child asking for kimchi at the grocery store. My parents where both great cooks but we certainly didn’t eat kimchi at our dinner table. I have bought many different kinds of kimchi searching for the one that most reminded me of being a kid, failing to find the one. I have also attempted many times to make it myself, failed again! It wasn’t until I begged my friend Vanessa Chang to “please” come over and show me the mastery of this ancient food that I got a first hand look at how this special Korean condiment is made. The first time we made it she demonstrated and I watched, the second time I demonstrated and she watched, the third time I went solo and VIOLA, White Girl Kimchi was achieved! I lovely call it that because I am no way a master of kimchi, I’m still learning but I am so proud of myself for learning how to make something new that I have loved all my life. The salty, spicy, acidity that this kimchi has is just what I’ve been looking, and now a forever staple in the Cosmo Hippie Chef kitchen, even if my husband thinks it stinks! (Remember that’s how you know you did it right!) Enjoy!

Nutrition:

Probiotic- Bacteria, bacteria, bacteria! Kimchi is fermented therefore FULL of probiotics, aka good gut bacteria. Kimchi is full of vitamin A and C which are great for the immune system, 70% of our immune system happens in the gut. Our guts are so advanced it should actually have its own brain! With all the processed foods, stress and environmental toxins we are exposed to on a daily basis it is important to maintain healthy gut flora. Foods like kimchi can help, miso, sauerkraut and kombucha are also great probiotic foods.