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Thanksgiving Side Dishes

Thanksgiving Side Dishes

  In my humble opinion, Thanksgiving dinner is not about turkey, on the contrary for me it is all about Thanksgiving Side Dishes. Who agrees? Well, also about seeing your family members that only remember you once a year, and when you host Thanksgiving dinner read more

Roasted Cauliflower with Guacamole

Roasted Cauliflower with Guacamole

Looking for a healthy side dish that’s quick, flavorful, and packed with nutrients? This Roasted Cauliflower with Guacamole recipe combines caramelized cauliflower florets with creamy homemade guacamole for the ultimate veggie-packed dish.

Korean Fermented Napa Cabbage

Korean Fermented Napa Cabbage

 

Kimchi is a traditional as well as national fermented Korean side dish made of vegetables with a variety of ingredients.

It is a staple of every Korean household, therefore it’s an important part of Korean culture, and I hope you try it!

Korean Fermented Napa Cabbage
Korean Fermented Napa Cabbage – Baechu Kimchi

Classic Christmas songs, hitting radio stations, malls, and stores You are definitely feeling the holiday spirit everywhere around here. 

Don’t you agree that people are just a bit happier in December, then everyone is back to grumpy selves in January, then back to happy around tax time?!

NOW, LET’S TALK ABOUT KIMCHI, SHALL WE?

The recipe finally made it on my blog, and the biggest reason is not only ’cause I love kimchi so much, but because I received an overwhelming number of requests in the last few months with the same question: “how do I knowingly make my own kimchi?” – So here it is!

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I am also asked a lot, especially in stores when I purchase tofu-how does it, taste, or can you make your own. I never tried naturally making tofu, but maybe I should do a little research and make my own.

But that will wait for a while until then I will enjoy the store-bought. Ok I was positively off the subject for a bit there, let‘s continue thoughtfully…

Korean Fermented Napa Cabbage

 

What is kimchi? 

As I said, Kimchi is a traditional as well as national fermented Korean side dish made of vegetables with a variety of ingredients.

It is a staple of every Korean household, therefore it’s an important part of Korean culture.

Kimchi can be eaten as an accompaniment to almost any meal, and it serves as a side dish with every meal.

There are many different variants of kimchi, that’s why I named it in the title “Napa cabbage”, to be specific what kind of kimchi I am presenting today.

This particular one is called “mak baechu kimchi” because it is chopped into bite-size pieces for quick fermentation, simpler serving, and easy consumption later.

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The most popular and recognizable kimchi out of all varieties is made from napa OR Chinese cabbage (baechu)- however, cucumber, daikon or white radish, scallions kimchi, and much more depending on the season are also loved and made by Koreans.

Korean Fermented Napa Cabbage

Kimchi can be non-spicy, mild, and very spicy depending on how much chili powder you are using.

The taste of fermented kimchi has a pinch of sourness, slight burn in your mouth from the spiciness, prudent smell, and kimchi should have a crunch when you bite it.

NOTE* Napa cabbage is lighter in color than other Chinese cabbages such as Bok Choy, which is also sometimes called Chinese cabbage.

Korean Fermented Napa Cabbage

I can’t wait until my kimchi ferment for a few months, so I can make delicious stews such as Kimchi Jjigae,

Budae Jjigae or use it in my Gourmet Ramen Soup, and of course kimchi pancakes, so good!  I hope you will try it and please don’t be intimidated, because it is a simple “labor of love” recipe, full of flavor, nutrition and I must add pure deliciousness.

Korean Fermented Napa Cabbage

If you decide to make Korean Fermented Napa Cabbage at home please tag on my social media, or Instagram @SandrasEasyCooking using hashtag #sandraseasycooking. Thank you so much for your love and support!

Yield: 1 BATCH

Korean Fermented Napa Cabbage

Korean Fermented Napa Cabbage
Prep Time 15 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes

Ingredients

  • 2 large Chinese Cabbage about 3 lb each (Napa Cabbage) or 3 smaller size
  • 1/2 cup salt
  • 6 cups water

Vegetables:

  • 1 small sized Korean white radish Moo or medium Daikon radish.
  • 1 large carrot 80g, or two smaller ones *optional
  • 3 Green onions chopped
  • 4 Oz Chives 100g

Seasoning/sauce:

  • 1 Tbs. Sweet rice flour + 1/2 cup water
  • 1 Cupful Red hot pepper powder use less for less spicy or more, or none for white kimchi
  • 2 Tbs. Fish Sauce
  • 1 Tbs. Oyster Sauce *optional or just use fish sauce
  • 1 Tbs. Sugar
  • 1/3 cup Salted shrimp brine shrimp
  • 1/3 Onion medium
  • 1 Asian pear
  • 8 garlic cloves
  • 1 Tbs. Crushed ginger
  • Salt to taste if necessary

Instructions

  1. Cut the cabbage lengthwise and separate it with your hands. Then cut into quarters, then chop into bite-size pieces.  Place in the big bucket and wash few (3-4) times to get it really clean. Prepare salt water, add 1/4 cups of salt with about 6 cups of water. Pour it over the cabbage and start mixing and turning your cabbage every 20-30 minutes for the next 1 1/2 to 2 hrs.
  2. Make porridge by mixing water with sweet rice powder/flour at a medium temperature. Stir until it becomes a thick and smooth texture. Take it off the stove and set it aside to cool down.
  3. While cabbage Brin and porridge are cooling off, start with the sauce.
  4. Julienne white radish, a large carrot, chop scallions, chives, scallions, brine shrimp and set aside
  5. On the other side, roughly chop onion, peel the garlic, and use whole cloves, slice peeled pear and ginger. Put it in the food processor with sugar, oyster sauce, and (optional if allergic or vegan), add 1/2 cup of water, and process until well combined. Add salt only if necessary to taste or more oyster sauce.
  6. Add Chili powder (gochugaru) in cooled porridge, stir, then pour the sauce  (from step 5.) out of the food processor in the porridge. Stir again very well and mix in with Julienne vegetables. Set aside until ready to be used.
  7. Once the Cabbage brained for at least an hour and a half, wash it a few times under cold water, drain really well and dry the bowl/bucket, then place the cabbage back in the dry bowl/bucket. Cabbage will have a balance between sweetness and saltiness, it will get a bit softer, but still firm/crunchy enough.
  8. Now the final step after washing the saltwater off. Pour the sauce and other vegetables over the cabbage. Gently mix with your hands, massage it (use gloves).
  9. Put it into airtight containers, but try to press down the cabbage because of the air.
  10. Leave it in the room temp for 2-3 days, then place it in the fridge (the best if you use a glass container or a large jar/s)
  11. After 7 days you will already have bit fermented cabbage and Kimchi juice will start to appear. But I love one after a month or so for salads, 3 months and after it's perfect for stews.

Notes

Yes, you can make kimchi without sweet rice porridge. I like to use it because it pulls all the ingredients together.

But it is optional. No, you do not have to add any seafood products. If you are able to get it or eat it, I recommended it, but it is optional. I like to keep it in the garage and I wrap the container with a plastic bag to eliminate the odor as much as possible.

Even though it is sealed completely with the lid, the kimchi smell will escape.

Usually, after 3 days, I put it in the fridge. All the products can be purchased online, or at Asian markets. Some ingredients could be found even in local grocery stores.

I like TO ADD ABOUT SODIUM levels if you never made kimchi before be careful if you are using salted shrimps and oyster sauce or fish sauce... all three ingredients are salty so please add a little bit at the time and taste.

I found this one perfect for me, but we all have different taste buds. If you are not adding any of the above, then use SALT to TASTE!

Did you make this recipe?

Please leave a comment on the blog or share a photo on Pinterest

 

 

Arugula Salad with Fresh Figs and Feta Cheese

Arugula Salad with Fresh Figs and Feta Cheese

This Arugula Salad with Fresh Figs and Feta Cheese is the perfect combination of flavors and textures. With the sweetness of fresh figs and the creaminess as well as the saltiness of feta cheese, it’s a dish that will impress your family and friends. Not read more

Italian Meatballs with Orzo

Italian Meatballs with Orzo

I have a great preference for easy-to-make meals that take less than 30 minutes to create. Italian Meatballs with Orzo is a recipe that never fails to amaze. I’m proud of my multitasking skills because I can prepare many delicious suppers in as little as read more

Air Fryer Ginger Turmeric Cauliflower over Yogurt

Air Fryer Ginger Turmeric Cauliflower over Yogurt

Air Fryer Ginger Turmeric Cauliflower over Yogurt

A delicious and healthful recipe, Air Fryer Ginger Turmeric Cauliflower over Yogurt combines the aromatic mixture of ginger and turmeric with the nutty flavor of roasted cauliflower.

This delicious creation is rich in antioxidants, nutrients, and taste. This dish will fulfill your cravings whether you’re seeking for a side dish or the main entrée for a vegetarian supper. The yogurt cools the palette after each bite by adding a smooth and creamy ingredient.

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There are several health advantages to this dish in addition to its great flavor. Caoliflower, a cruciferous vegetable also known as Brassica vegetable is high in fiber, vitamins, and minerals. It’s one of those Veg that I really love muching raw, but also roasted like this.

It is an excellent supplement to any diet because it is low in calories and high in antioxidants. Conversely, turmeric and ginger are well known for their ability to support a healthy immune system and their anti-inflammatory qualities among many other health benefits.

Air Fryer Ginger Turmeric Cauliflower over Yogurt

Even while this dish is typically served vegetarian, it goes well with a wide range of meats; fish, chicken, or any other protein you like will all work well together to enrich and balance the taste of the dish.

The charred notes from the grilled meat combined with the roasted cauliflower and creamy yogurt create a symphony of flavors that will tantalize your taste buds.

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As a firm advocate of balanced meals, I believe this Air Fryer Ginger Turmeric Cauliflower over Yogurt dish is the perfect addition to any meal. The combination of savory and a bit sweet flavors creates a harmonious balance.

Also, using the air fryer for this recipe will give you crispy and flavorful Ginger Turmeric Cauliflower with a fraction of the oil used in traditional roasting.

Air Fryer Ginger Turmeric Cauliflower over Yogurt

Now, when we are mentioning oven roasting, then you can roast these for 20-25 minutes, or until you reach a texture to your liking. If you do not have an air fryer you can use the convection mode feature which is built-in nowadays on most newer range ovens

Convection ovens and air fryers are somewhat similar appliances. Both of them function by using a fan to circulate hot air, which gives food a more uniform, quicker cooking, as well as a crispier texture. Obviously, you can’t use it for everything, but for roasting, it is perfect.

Whether you serve it as a side dish or make it the centerpiece of your meal, this delightful creation is sure to impress. I encourage you to give it a try and let me know what you think!

Side Dish

If you try making this simple dish, Air Fryer Ginger Turmeric Cauliflower over Yogurt, let me know here or over social media. Don’t forget to follow me on Instagram, Facebook or Pinterest; search @sandraseasycooking 

Happy Cooking!

Yield: 4

Air Fryer Ginger Turmeric Cauliflower over Yogurt

Air Fryer Ginger Turmeric Cauliflower over Yogurt

Using the air fryer for this recipe will give you crispy and flavorful Ginger Turmeric Cauliflower.

Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 18 minutes
Total Time 23 minutes

Ingredients

  • 1 head of cauliflower, cut into florets
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon ground turmeric
  • 1 teaspoon ground ginger
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Fresh parsley for garnish (optional)

Yogurt:

  • 1 cup of plain yogurt
  • 1 pinch of salt and black pepper, or to taste
  • 1 teaspoon lemon or lime juice

Topping options: toasted seesame seeds, nuts or salted pumpkin/sunflower seeds

Instructions

  1. In a large bowl, toss the cauliflower florets with olive oil, turmeric, ginger, salt, and pepper until evenly coated.
  2. Set the air fryer to 375°F (190°C).
  3. Place the seasoned cauliflower in the air fryer basket in a single layer, making sure not to overcrowd.
  4. Cook in the air fryer for 15-18 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through the cooking time to ensure even cooking. Once the cauliflower is golden brown and tender, remove it from the air fryer.
  5. Garnish with fresh parsley if desired and serve hot over yogurt seasoned with salt, pepper and a bit of lemon juice.

Notes

Regular plain yogurt can definitely be used with Greek yogurt, however Greek yogurt has the potential to have twice as much protein per serving.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

4

Serving Size:

1

Amount Per Serving: Calories: 136Total Fat: 8gSaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 6gCholesterol: 3mgSodium: 169mgCarbohydrates: 12gNet Carbohydrates: 8gFiber: 4gSugar: 7gProtein: 6g

This data was provided and calculated by Nutritionix. Nutrition information isn’t always accurate, but we try our best.

Did you make this recipe?

Please leave a comment on the blog or share a photo on Pinterest