Homemade Kimchi
Looking to improve your gut health naturally? This easy homemade kimchi recipe is a simple way to introduce more fermented foods into your diet. Kimchi is a traditional Korean dish made from salted and fermented vegetables, rich in live beneficial bacteria that may support digestion and help diversify your gut microbiome.
Fermented foods like kimchi contain naturally occurring probiotics that can support overall gut health when consumed regularly as part of a balanced diet.
Nutrition information provided as a guide. Individual needs and goals vary. For personalised support, book in to see one of our Accredited Dietitians.
Serves 12
Ingredients:
1/2 head napa cabbage, sliced
⅛ cup salt
Water
½ daikon radish, cut into matchsticks
2 carrots, cut into matchsticks
2-3 stalks spring onion, chopped
Sauce:
2-3 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon grated peeled fresh ginger
½ teaspoon caster sugar
1 tablespoon fish sauce
2 tablespoon korean red pepper flakes (gochugaru)
Topping:
200g dark chocolate chips, melted
Method
Cut the cabbage lengthwise through the stem into quarters. Cut each quarter into slices. Place the cabbage in a large bowl and sprinkle with the salt. Using your hands, massage the salt into the cabbage until it starts to soften a bit. Add enough water to cover the cabbage. Put a plate on top of the cabbage and weigh it down with something heavy - we used two heavy cans. Let sit for an hour.
In the meantime, prepare the other vegetables by chopping spring onions and cutting radish & carrots into matchsticks.
In a small bowl, combine the sauce ingredients and mix until combined.
When cabbage has softened, pour away salt water and rinse and drain a few times. Let drain in a colander for about 10 minutes.
In a large bowl, combine all the vegetables as well as sauce. Wearing gloves, mix everything together until well combined and the sauce is evenly distributed - it should have a nice red hue to it.
Store in glass jars and let sit at room temperature for 1-5 days depending how you like your kimchi. Once it’s ready, store it in the fridge. Enjoy!
Benefits:
Fermented foods, gut healthy recipe, Asian inspired, flavourful addition to meals
