Kimchi Toast Recipes

KIMCHI

Steps:

• Place the cabbage in a large bowl, sprinkle with 2 tablespoons (17 grams) of the salt, and toss to coat. After 15 minutes, massage and squeeze the cabbage until it begins to release liquid. Set aside for another 15 minutes, then massage again and set aside for another 15 minutes.
• Place the daikon in a medium bowl and season with the granulated sugar and 1 teaspoon of the salt. Set aside for 15 minutes.
• Whisk the gochugaru, water, brown sugar, and the remaining 1 teaspoon salt in a third medium bowl to form a coarse paste.
• To make the kimchi flavor paste, use either a mini-food processor, mortar and pestle, or immersion blender and a jar to puree the pear, onion, 10 grams (about 1/6) of the ginger, 6 grams (about 1/4) of the garlic, and the salted shrimp until smooth. Add this to the gochugaru mixture and stir to combine.
• Squeeze as much liquid as you can from the daikon without breaking the pieces and add to the cabbage, along with the scallions, the remaining ginger and garlic, and the kimchi paste.
• Position a gallon-size zip-top bag inside a pitcher or some other vessel that will allow it to be held open for loading. Wearing disposable gloves, mix the kimchi paste into the cabbage mixture with your hands, being sure to thoroughly coat the cabbage with the paste (see Cook's Note).
• Transfer the mixture to the plastic bag, then ditch the gloves and seal the bag, working out as much air as possible. The lactic acid bacteria that will magically transform the humble ingredients into kimchee prefer anaerobic environments.
• Place the sealed bag flat on a sheet pan or large baking dish and leave at room temperature until the mixture has bubbled enough to inflate the bag, at least 24 hours, but possibly up to 3 days. Transfer the kimchi and its liquid into two wide-mouthed quart-size glass jars with lids and refrigerate. Consume immediately for very fresh kimchi, or leave it for a month for a kimchi that's deeply flavored, well-rounded, and slightly effervescent.
• Refrigerated, kimchi will basically never go bad and will actually improve in flavor for months after going into the jar. Cooking will mellow its flavors, so if it gets too funky for you, it's time to make kimchi fried rice.

KIMCHI TOAST

Steps:

• Mix cream cheese and ¾ cup kimchi in a medium bowl.
• Toss scallions and cilantro in a small bowl to combine. Squeeze in juice from lime, season with salt, and toss again.
• Smear kimchi cream cheese over each slice of bread. Top with scallion salad and more kimchi (if using). Drizzle with chili oil; sprinkle with sesame seeds.

TRADITIONAL KIMCHI

Steps:

• Place cabbage and radish in a large colander. Sprinkle liberally with salt and mix to combine. Set aside for 1 hour. Add additional salt, mix, and set aside 1 hour more. Rinse cabbage and let drain.
• Meanwhile, combine garlic, onion, ginger, and rice vinegar in a blender. Add water and blend aromatic mixture on high power.
• Transfer drained cabbage to a large bowl and add aromatic mixture. Add persimmon, cucumber, green onions, and red pepper flakes and mix well.
• Transfer kimchi to airtight containers and refrigerate for 3 days.

KIMCHI DOUBLE-CHEESE TOASTIES

Steps:

• Combine the cheddar with the emmental or mozzarella and the spring onions in a small bowl.
• Spread the mayonaise over one side of each slice of sourdough. Pile the cheese mixture over the plain sides of the bread, then spoon over the kimchi. Sandwich the slices together so the mayo-coated sides are on the outside, then sprinkle with sesame seeds, if using. Heat a large frying pan or skillet over a medium heat. Arrange the toasties in the hot pan and weigh them down with another heavy pan. Cook for 4-6 mins, then turn over and cook for 5 mins more. Cut in half to serve.Twist itBLUE CHEESESwap the grated cheddar for a blue-veined stilton or cambozola for a punchier flavour.LEFTOVER KIMCHIUse any leftover kimchi in a rice- or noodle-based stir-fry made with pak choi, then serve with a fried egg on top. It also makes a fantastic dip - just blitz in a food processor with some soured cream and soft cheese until smooth.

KIMCHI SCRAMBLED EGGS ON TOAST

Steps:

• In a skillet over medium-low heat, add 1 tablespoon butter. When melted and foamy, add bread slices in an even layer. Toast until golden, about 1 minute, then flip and toast the other side, another minute. Add more butter as needed for both sides to turn golden brown and toasty. Set aside.
• Crack eggs into a small saucepan. Over medium heat, use a rubber spatula to stir and scramble the eggs; add 1 tablespoon butter and a pinch of salt. Continue stirring vigorously; once the butter has melted and the eggs start to set, keep stirring while moving the pan on and off the heat at intervals. (This is the secret to creamy, tender scrambled eggs.) Remove from heat just before the eggs are fully cooked, and stir in remaining tablespoon of butter. Fold in the kimchi and tofu and stir well to combine.
• Place toasted bread on a serving plate and top with kimchi scrambled eggs. Garnish with scallions and serve immediately.