While poking around in the refrigerated section of my local Trader Joe's, I recently discovered a pouch of one of my favorite foods: kimchi!
I love using kimchi in weeknight meals; it's so flavorful, it quickly transforms humble ingredients like eggs and rice into tasty dinners. Though I'm lucky enough to live just a few miles from the Koreatown neighborhood of Los Angeles, my usual grocery shopping routine doesn't include a stop at the Korean market, so being able to pick up kimchi during my weekly Trader Joe's run is definitely convenient.
Straight out of the bag, this kimchi isn't as complex, spicy or pungent as what you might buy at a Korean store or make at home, but I've been enjoying it in cooked dishes like stews and stir-fries. And for those hesitant about kimchi, the less aggressive odor and taste can even be preferable. (My husband, a notorious kimchi-hater, has actually liked the dishes I've made with the Trader Joe's kimchi.)
Already have some kimchi in your fridge? Try one of the recipes below.
6 Ways to Use Kimchi
• 1 Kimchi Fried Rice with Extra Greens
• 2 Tofu Kimchi Dumplings
• 3 Kimchi Tofu Summer Rolls
• 4 Kimchi Omelet at Appetite for China
• 5 Kimchi Jigae (Kimchi Soup) at No Recipes
• 6 Kimchi and Avocado Quesadillas at Sunset Magazine
What do you like to make with kimchi?
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What's also great about this kimchi is that it's vegetarian, which most kimchis aren't. And this Korean-American girl says it's pretty good!
Actually, we've started MAKING our own kimchi this winter! I got the recipe from Sharon Astyk's book and blogged about it. She also has a recipe for tofu kimchi soup that is GREAT - stock, tofu, scallions, kimchi, and dried mushrooms.
I actually thought it was kind of yucky - ended up tossing the package. Will stick to with this easy, non-fermented recipe:
Quick kimchi
Combine a few cups of chopped napa cabbage, a tablespoon of sambal olek (an Eastern hot sauce), 3 tablespoons of rice wine vinegar, 4 sliced cloves of garlic, and a healthy pinch of salt. Stir well, chill overnight and then eat right out of the bowl!
From http://www.sheknows.com/food-and-recipes/articles/809695/8-things-to-do-with-napa-cabbage
I have designs of making my own kimchi someday, but in the meantime I discovered this TJ's kimchi recently and it's pretty good! Like sharona1700 I love that it's veg. Taste-wise it is mild. My husband has a higher tolerance for strong, super-fermented kimchi than I do but we both like this one.
I prefer to eat kimchi by itself, or with other nibbles as an appetiser. Personally, I don't think it lends itself well to use as an ingredient in other dishes. Do read the ingredients list - most commercial ones contain MSG.
While some Korean dishes do call for cooking kimchi, it's best to eat it raw, on the side--otherwise, you're killing off all the good probiotics and flora that were created during fermentation. / It's also really fun to make on your own, and saves a ton of money!
I will give it a shot since I don't want to commit to making my own kimchi. It disappoints me that it's vegetarian since I don't believe the true funk of kimchi can be accomplished without the use of seafood.
@pearmelon: There's no MSG in the Trader Joe's kimchi.
@sharona1700: Thanks for pointing out that it is vegetarian!
One quick recipe for kimchi.
1. Chop kimchi into bite sizes.
2. On a heated skillet with a little oil, sautee kimchi, and be amazed by the wonderful fragrance meanwhile.
3. after 3-5 minutes, take the kimchi out and dress it with some sugar, sesame oil, and sesame seed.
4. Eat with rice and be stunned by the uber-transformed kimchi.
HINT. This recipe becomes even better when kimchi becomes too fermented resulting in very strong smell and acidic taste.
aw man i know these kinds of comments are annoying, but this is really not kimchi at all. i'm sure it's good, since you like the recipe, so i'm not trying to knock it. i'd describe this as an asian-inspired cabbage salad.
here's a quick kimchi recipe that's a bit more authentic: http://www.maangchi.com/recipe/yangbaechu-kimchi. i haven't tried it, but it looks pretty good.