Description
A collection of easy and forgiving fermented food recipes perfect for enhancing meals and creating cherished family memories.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 medium green cabbage (about 2 to 3 pounds)
- 1 tablespoon sea salt (more if you like it tangy)
- 1 teaspoon caraway seeds (optional)
- 1 small napa cabbage
- 2 medium carrots, peeled and julienned
- 4 scallions, sliced
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated
- 2 tablespoons fish sauce or a vegan alternative (optional)
- 2 tablespoons sea salt
- 1 to 2 tablespoons Korean red pepper flakes
- 1 pound carrots, peeled and cut into sticks
- 1 tablespoon sea salt
- 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger
- 1 cup filtered water (if needed to cover)
- 1 teaspoon mustard seeds (optional)
Instructions
- Remove the outer leaves of the cabbage and set one aside. Quarter the cabbage, remove the core, and thinly slice the rest.
- Place the sliced cabbage in a bowl and sprinkle with sea salt. Massage for 5-10 minutes until it softens and releases liquid.
- Pack the cabbage tightly into a sterilized jar, pressing down so the brine covers it. Add the reserved leaf on top.
- Cover the jar with cloth and leave at room temperature for 3-10 days, tasting daily.
- Chop the napa cabbage into bite-sized pieces for kimchi and sprinkle with salt. Let it sit for 1-2 hours.
- In a bowl, combine minced garlic, grated ginger, fish sauce (if using), and Korean red pepper flakes. Toss in carrots and scallions.
- Mix the drained cabbage with the spice paste, pressing into jars.
- Leave the jar at room temperature for 1-3 days, then refrigerate.
- Peel and cut carrots into sticks for fermented carrots. Dissolve sea salt in filtered water and cover carrots.
- Cover loosely and let sit at room temperature for 3-7 days, tasting to find the right tang.
- Seal and refrigerate when flavor pleases you.
Notes
Fermentation is forgiving and flexible; taste often to find your preferred flavor. Keep a log of dates and ingredients used for future reference.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Fermentation
- Cuisine: Global
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 1g
- Saturated Fat: 0g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 5g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
Keywords: fermentation, healthy recipes, no-fail, sauerkraut, kimchi, gut health