Any foodie will agree that finding a new food is one of the best discoveries one can make. With so many cuisines to choose from, some foods can fly under your radar.
One prime example of this is kimchi. Kimchi is a traditional fermented Korean side dish. It has remained a staple in Korea for generations. Not only is kimchi packed with deliciously spicy, umami flavor, but it has several health benefits.
If this sounds right up your alley, here are kimchi recipes that we love and know you will, too.
But first, let’s breakdown what Kimchi is:
What Is Kimchi?
Kimchi originated during the Three Kingdoms period in Korea. To preserve their food for the winter, families began to ferment their cabbages.
By fermenting cabbage and other ingredients – such as garlic, ginger, chili peppers, salt, fish sauce, green onions, and other vegetables – kimchi was born!
The dish grew to immense popularity in Korea and has more recently risen in popularity across the world thanks to sharing of cultural foods.
What could have caused this kimchi craze? Its satisfying crunch and pairing versatility are two contributing factors. Another reason is the rich, layered flavors that the food offers. The taste of fermented kimchi often includes sour, spicy, and umami notes.
Kimchi’s Health Benefits
Similar to other fermented foods, kimchi has a plethora of benefits in store.
A wide range of nutrients, amino acids, and minerals can be found in a single serving of kimchi. This includes:
- Choline: Protects cells and muscles in the digestive system.
- Beta Carotene: Supports healthy immune function.
- Folate: Produces healthy cells and fosters energy production.
- Vitamin K: Creates proteins for blood clotting and maintaining bones.
In addition, kimchi is rich in probiotics that can help your gut health!
Cleveland Kitchen’s Classic Kimchi
To make a tasty dish, you need a quality brand of kimchi. If you’re searching for a great and affordable option, look no further because we have our Classic Kimchi!
This vegan kimchi offers a thick, crunchy cut that you will love. After years of home batches, we wanted to share our take on this classic. So we worked with local Korean chefs to develop a rich, fresh, spicy, and delicious ferment.
Delicious Recipes With Kimchi
Due to the versatile nature of kimchi, it can quite literally spice up a variety of recipes. With the help of this food, the healthiness of your meal will increase. On top of that, kimchi’s complex flavors add a distinct sour and spicy taste to the mix.
At Cleveland Kitchen, we have several recipes that are an easy way to explore the flavor of kimchi.
Kimchi Buchimgae Korean Pancake
This savory and spicy dish can work as crowd-pleasing appetizer for any event. Our Kimchi Buchimgae Korean Pancake recipe is packed with the flavor of green chilis, red chili, and kimchi juice.
Ingredients
- 2 & 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 & 1/2 cup water
- 1/2 tsp. fine sea salt
- 1 large egg
- 2 cups Cleveland Kitchen Classic Kimchi
- 1 tbsp. kimchi liquid
- 5 ice cubes
- 2 green chilis, chopped, optional
- 1 red chili, chopped, optional
- Vegetable oil, for cooking
How To
- Pour flour and salt into a large mixing bowl. Add water and egg. Whisk ingredients well.
- Add Cleveland Kitchen Classic Kimchi, kimchi liquid, and chilis to the bowl. Mix well. Add ice cubes to keep the batter cold.
- Heat a large pan over medium-high heat. Pour a generous amount of vegetable oil to cover the pan.
- Pour pancake mixture onto the pan. Cook on medium heat. Turn the pancake over when the bottom is cooked, and the top is partially cooked.
- Keep cooking until the pancake reaches desired crispiness.
Kimchi Vegan Bibimbap
Bibimbap is a Korean rice dish. Its name translates to “mixed rice with meat and assorted veggies.” Yet, we realize that meat is not a part of everyone’s diet. As a result, we have made a vegan kimchi bibimbap recipe that you can have on the table in just twenty-five minutes.
Kimchi Vegan Bibimbap combines rice with sliced carrots, mushrooms, spinach, and other delicious veggies. Feel free to add sesame oil and sesame seeds to enhance the flavor of your dish.
What makes this meal so special is its versatile nature. For example, the rice can be stir-fried or steamed. Not to mention, you can top your meal with spicy kimchi, gochujang, soy sauce, or whatever condiments fit best into your dietary lifestyle.
Ingredient
- 6 cups short-grained rice, cooked
- 1 cup of Cleveland Kitchen Classic Kimchi
- 1 cup sliced carrots
- 1 cup of sliced zucchini
- 1 cup sliced mushrooms
- 1 cup bean sprouts
- 1 cup spinach
- 2 tbsp. gochujang (Korean chili paste)
- 1 tbsp. sesame seeds, optional
- 2 tsp. sesame oil, optional
How To
- Cook rice according to the package.
- Sauté the veggies in a non-stick pan. Season them with some salt and oil, to taste.
- Assemble the bowls by placing 1-2 cups of rice in each bowl. Top with the cooked veggies and Cleveland Kitchen Classic Kimchi.
- Add gochujang to each bowl. Garnish with sesame seeds and a drizzle of sesame oil.
Korean Beef Bulgogi
Barbecued beef is a perfect meal for small parties or get-togethers. The smell of the barbecue will have everyone’s mouth watering before the table is even set!
Bulgogi is a Korean beef barbecue dish. One standout aspect about this amazing food is its marinade. The marinade includes pear, soy sauce, brown sugar, sesame oil, garlic, ginger, and gochujang. These various elements create the vivid taste and aroma of the barbecued beef.
Unlike the previous recipes, Korean Beef Bulgogi requires much more prep time to create (at least three hours, or overnight). So, make sure to cook the meal at a convenient time for you, or save it for a special occasion.
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 lbs. boneless rib-eye steak
- 1/2 small pear, peeled and grated
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 2 tbsps. light brown sugar
- 2 tbsps. toasted sesame oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp. freshly grated ginger
- 1 tbsp. gochujang (Korean red pepper paste)
- 2 tbsp. vegetable oil
- 2 green onions, thinly sliced
- 1 tsp. toasted sesame seeds
- 2 tbsp. Classic Kimchi
How To
- Wrap steak in plastic wrap, and place in the freezer for 30 minutes. Unwrap and slice into 1/4-inch thick slices.
- In a bowl, combine pear, soy sauce, brown sugar, sesame oil, garlic, ginger, and gochujang. Stir until well mixed.
- Place the marinade and steak in a 1 gallon Ziploc bag; marinate for at least 2 hours to overnight in the fridge. Turn the bag occasionally.
- Heat 1 tablespoon vegetable oil in a pan over medium-high heat.
- Working in batches, add steak to the pan in a single layer until cooked through, about 2-3 minutes per side.
- Serve over rice. Garnish with green onions, sesame seeds, and Classic Kimchi.
Discover The Joys Of Kimchi
With its signature sour, spicy, and umami flavors, kimchi can turn any dish into an exciting experience for your tastebuds.
Now that you know more about this fermented food, it’s time to stock up on some kimchi. Visit our website to purchase the Classic Kimchi. If you want more recipes, we have a selection of culinary-inspired kimchi recipes available.
To learn more about Cleveland Kitchen’s mission to bring fermented foods to the American diet, keep up with our weekly blog. Also, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to stay updated with our world of fermented foods!