If you know me at all, you know that I have a deep rooted obsession with anything kimchi. Kimchi in every form, any way, any day.. I can bathe in it. Nothing makes me happier than the pungent smell of kimchi that immediately makes my mouth water.
I have been making kimchi practically my whole life. Originally with my grandmother of course- but now at my restaurants, we are producing over 100 pounds of kimchi PER WEEK. Yes, I think I can say that I am pretty well versed in kimchi making.
I am planning on doing many kimchi videos, as I have over 100s of recipes that I can share just on kimchi itself. (i'm not kidding when I say I have an obsession). This traditional POGI KIMCHI is good enough to say that it is one of the best - considering this is based off my grandma's recipe. But also, I feel accessible and easy enough to replicate for a home cook. Although, not going to lie.. this is by no means a 'shortcut' or 'easy' kimchi recipe. You still have to do your part and not skip any steps or miss any ingredients. That's the heart of Kimchi, the love and effort you put into it. It is truly, truly a labor of love. So i'd say, you want to make REALLY good kimchi and need to start somewhere? Try this recipe and then by the time you are ready to level up- I should have V.2 Kimchi up by then- maybe even a whole season on JUST KIMCHI (hopefully^^).
Hope you enjoy it.
POGI Kimchi
2 tablespoons sweet rice flour
1/2 cup rock salt
1 head of Napa cabbage, quartered length-wise
1 bunch of scallions, cut into 2-inch pieces
½ of asian pear
½ of onion
1 thumb size piece of ginger
6 cloves of garlic
1/4 cup of salted shrimp (saewoo juht)
1/4 cup of anchovy fish sauce
1/4 cup of lance fish sauce
1/4 cup of plum extract
1 red finger chile
2 cups of Korean red chili pepper flakes (gochugaru)
Instructions:
1. In a small saucepan, add the rice flour and 2 cups of water over high heat. Bring to a boil, and then reduce the heat to medium-low. Cook for 20 minutes, whisking constantly, until the liquid is thickened to a ribbon-like consistency and you can see the bottom of the pan while whisking. Set aside to cool.
2. Combine 1 cup of water and the rock salt in a large bowl. Stir the mixture together until the salt is dissolved. Add the Napa cabbage inside the bowl and rub rock salt on every leaf. Leave them there for 5 hours, then flip them and leave them there for another 5 hours. After 10 hours, drain all the excess of water.
3. in a blender combine apple, onion, ginger, garlic, red chile pepper and blend until very smooth
4. Add the mixture into a large bowl, add the scallions, salted shrimp, anchovy fish sauce, lance fish sauce, plum extract, rice glue, gochugaru, and mix everything well to become a paste.
5. Add the cabbage into the bowl with the paste, and rub the paste into every single leaf.
6. Tightly pack the kimchi into jars or containers with tightly fitting lids, or cover tightly with plastic, making sure it is not exposed to the air. Allow the kimchi to sit at room temperature for at least 2 days, or longer if you desire a stronger flavor. Then put it in the refrigerator for another 5 days.