What To Eat Kimchi With Vegan – Delicious Recipes and Tips
If you’re looking for a great addition to your vegan diet, look no further than kimchi. This Korean staple is not only incredibly delicious but also offers a host of health benefits to vegans. In this article, we will cover all the things you need to know about kimchi as a vegan- from how to make it at home, what are its health benefits, and tips on pairing it with other vegan foods.
Kimchi is a fermented vegetable dish that is packed with probiotics that are essential for maintaining good gut bacteria in the body. Making kimchi at home can be an easy and fun project that yields delicious results while being extremely cost-effective. Additionally, there are many ways that you can pair Kimchi with other dishes such as tofu scramble or avocado toast.
What To Eat Kimchi With Vegan: Top Recipes
If you’re new to kimchi, it’s a traditional Korean dish made of fermented vegetables like cabbage and radishes that’s rich in probiotics. Don’t worry if you’re vegan because there are many delicious recipes to make with kimchi! Here are some popular recipes that pair well with this spicy and tangy condiment:
Classic kimchi fried rice recipe
This easy-to-make dish combines the savory flavors of stir-fried rice with sweet and sour notes from kimchi. You only need cooked rice, garlic, onions, soy sauce, sesame oil, scallions, and of course–kimchi. Stir fry for about 5 minutes until heated throughout.
Kimchi stew with tofu and vegetables
A hearty meal on cold nights can be achieved with this delightful combination of silky tofu cubes bathed in a spicy soup with mixed veggies—such as carrots or potatoes—for added nutrition.
Kimchi pancake with scallions and dipping sauce
This crispy delight is an excellent appetizer when served hot straight from the pan or as a light brunch fare topped off, complete with dipping sauces for best compliments. All-purpose flour or any gluten-free alternative can be used alongside your favorite non-dairy milk.
Kimchi and avocado toast
This breakfast item hits all the right spots combining plant-based fats from creamy avocados layered on top of toasted bread then adding your prepared kim chi topping along. Quick, easy but most importantly satisfyingly tasty!
KimChi Grilled Cheese Sandwich
The classic grilled cheese sandwich got an upgrade in every way by adding some fiery red cabbage kim chi plus melty vegan cheese over crisp bread that’s buttered on both sides for an extra dose of indulgence.
Kimchi noodle bowl with veggies and peanut sauce
This bowl is complex in flavors through the addition of scallions, carrots, peanuts, and kimchi. Nutty overtones from toasted sesame oil flows well when stirred into a smooth creamy peanut sauce to enjoy with buckwheat soba noodles for extra oomph!
How To Make Kimchi At Home
If you’re a fan of Korean cuisine, chances are that you’ve heard of kimchi. This fermented vegetable dish is packed with probiotics and can be incredibly delicious – but making it at home can seem intimidating. With this step-by-step guide and list of ingredients and equipment, however, you’ll be able to make vegan kimchi from scratch in no time.
Ingredients
- 1 medium head napa cabbage
- 1/4 cup kosher salt
- 6 scallions (trimmed and sliced 1-inch long)
- 1/4 cup gochugaru (Korean red pepper flakes)
- 2 tablespoons sweet rice flour
- 8–10 cloves garlic
- a piece ginger (about the size of your thumb), peeled
- a tablespoon sugar or honey
Equipment needed:
- A very large mixing bowl or container for salting your cabbage
- A small pot for cooking the sweet rice paste
- Purified water
A clean jar(s) with a tight-fitting lid(s) for fermentation purposes A mixing spoon/fork Gloves (optional)
Cooking Instructions:
- Salt the Cabbage: I Rinse your cabbage leaves in cold water after removing the stem/rooty section then coat each leaf evenly with salt while stuffing some salt between them if there’s any left over, sprinkle some water(not too much). then transfer it to a large bowl/container.
- Chop Vegetables: Cut the garlic, onion and ginger into tiny pieces. You can use a blender to chop them too.
- Cook sweet rice paste: In a pan add rice flour, sugar or honey with some water then boil until becoming smooth/sticky While whisking. Add this mixture to your chopped spices.
- Mix all ingredients together: Mix gochugaru together with scallions and other herbs.
- Combine The Ingredients: Add the vegetable mixtures previously cooked (Step 3) with all the cabbage leaves which looked squeezed and rinse well in step 1. Wear gloves if desired then mix vigorously inside a container/bowl.
- Fermentation Time!I Place your kimchi/water/vinegar mixture in an air-tight jar(s) while making sure there’s no air left out during the transfer. This will help keep out any unwanted bacteria. Leave at room temperature for roughly fermentation time varies according to desired taste; Typically 1-5 days
Tips for fermenting and storing kimchi properly
- Burp the jars daily: press down on top of each jar to allow gas to escape (and prevent explosions!).
- Place your jar somewhere dark (like a pantry closet) away from direct sunlight or sources of heat( oven/refrigerator).
- Cool storage: Place fermented jars in fridge after opening so it can last up-to even months.
If you follow these instructions carefully, you’ll be able to enjoy delicious homemade vegan kimchi whenever you want! Remember that fermentation largely depends on sitting at optimum temperatures allowing bacteria to survive and ferment vegetables naturally. Enjoy the process while making a healthy probiotic-rich food.
Health Benefits Of Kimchi For Vegans
Kimchi is a popular Korean dish made from fermented vegetables and spices that offer many health benefits, especially for vegans. Here’s an overview of the nutritional content of kimchi:
- Low in calories but high in fiber.
- Rich in vitamins A, B, and C, which help maintain healthy skin, vision, and immune function.
- Packed with antioxidants that protect against oxidative stress and inflammation in the body.
Gut Health And Immune System Support
The probiotics found in kimchi can support gut health by promoting the growth of beneficial bacteria while suppressing harmful bacteria. This can improve digestion, reduce bloating and gas, and even prevent certain diseases. Additionally, studies have shown that consuming kimchi regularly may boost the immune system by increasing white blood cell count.
In fact, during the SARS outbreak in 2003, there were several reports highlighting how scientists found kimchi to be effective at reducing the number of infected people when they ate it regularly alongside other traditional dishes.
Homemade vs Store-Bought Kimchi
The health benefits of homemade kimchi are generally superior to store-bought versions due to their higher concentration of live cultures. Homemade recipes also allow you to control what goes into your kimchi – you can choose fresh organic produce rather than preservative-filled ingredients often present within store-bought options. Additionally consider homemade recipes usually contain less salt compared to processed variations making it more suitable for reduced sodium diets.
If you’re vegan or interested in experimenting with plant-based foods for its promising health benefits then definitely give this low calorie food a go!
Tips For Pairing Kimchi With Other Vegan Foods
Kimchi is a delicious and versatile condiment that can add a spicy kick to any meal. Here are some tips for incorporating kimchi into your vegan diet:
In Salads, Sandwiches, and Wraps:
- Add kimchi to a salad for extra tanginess and crunch.
- Use kimchi as a filling for sandwiches and wraps.
- Mix kimchi with avocado or hummus to create a flavorful spread.
- Top off your sandwich or wrap with fresh cilantro or basil for added freshness.
As A Condiment Or Topping:
- Add a spoonful of kimchi on top of veggie burgers or tofu burgers for added flavor.
- Sprinkle kimchi onto tacos or mix it in with the filling ingredients.
- Try adding chopped kimchi as a pizza topping along with other vegetables like bell peppers, onions, and mushrooms.
Recommended Drinks:
- Kimchi is often paired well with light beer, such as Pilsner or Lager. However, you may also enjoy drinking water kefir, which is also made through fermentation like kimchi. The refreshing carbonation of water kefir will help balance out the spiciness of the dish.
Incorporating kimchi into your plant-based meals will not only add additional flavors to your dishes but also provide gut-friendly bacteria through its probiotic content. So next time you’re wondering about how to spice up your vegan menu, consider getting some Korean-style fermented veggies – you won’t regret it!
Conclusion
In conclusion, if you’re looking for new ways to add flavor and nutrition to your plant-based diet, consider adding some Kimchi into your meals! Its diverse range of uses makes it one of the most versatile fermented foods available.
FAQs:
Is Kim chi spicy?
Yes! Traditional Kimchi is known for its heat level; however, more mild versions have become popular over time.
Can I eat store-bought kimchi as part of my Vegan diet?
As long as the product doesn’t contain any non-vegan ingredients such as fish sauce or shrimp paste, then yes!
How do I know if my homemade Kim chi has gone bad?
Generally speaking , once the color has shifted from bright red to darker hue and there’s any visible mold growth around/on top of solid texture then don’t consume them.