Aromatic Perilla Leaf Kimchi: A Rice-Loving Side Dish
Making Aromatic Perilla Leaf Kimchi
Introducing a fragrant perilla leaf kimchi that you’ll want to wrap around a warm bowl of white rice whenever your appetite is low. The distinct refreshing scent of perilla leaves combined with the spicy and sweet seasoning creates a delightful side dish that will have you finishing a bowl of rice in no time. It’s also said to be good for preventing colds, making it a perfect healthy and delicious option for these times. Enjoy this delicious perilla leaf kimchi, stay healthy, and keep your spirits up! ^^
Perilla Leaf Kimchi Ingredients
- 5 bags of perilla leaves (approx. 150 leaves)
- 1 bunch of chives (approx. 50g)
- 1 medium onion
- 3 red chili peppers
- 5 Korean green chili peppers (adjust for spiciness)
- 6 cloves of garlic, minced
- 1/2 inch ginger, minced
- 3 Tbsp toasted sesame seeds
- 1/2 cup soy sauce (100ml)
- 100ml water
- 5 Tbsp fish sauce (anchovy or sand lance, approx. 30ml)
- 1 Tbsp vinegar (15ml)
- 5 Tbsp plum extract (75ml)
- 3 Tbsp corn syrup or oligosaccharide (45ml)
- 1/2 cup gochugaru (Korean chili flakes, approx. 50g)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, let’s make the kimchi seasoning. In a bowl, combine 1/2 cup soy sauce, 5 Tbsp fish sauce, 5 Tbsp plum extract, 3 Tbsp corn syrup, 100ml water, 1 Tbsp vinegar, and 1/2 cup gochugaru. Mix well until there are no lumps.
Step 2
Now, let’s prepare the vegetables for the seasoning. Peel the onion and mince it very finely. Peel and finely mince 6 cloves of garlic and 1/2 inch of ginger, using a blender or a knife. Minced garlic and ginger will greatly enhance the flavor of the seasoning.
Step 3
Remove the stems from 3 red chili peppers and 5 Korean green chili peppers. Lightly shake out the seeds and then mince them finely as well. You can adjust the amount of Korean green chili peppers based on how spicy you like your kimchi. Their pungent flavor will add to the deliciousness of the perilla leaf kimchi.
Step 4
Add the finely minced onion, garlic, ginger, and the prepared red and green chili peppers to the seasoning base you made earlier. Mix everything thoroughly with a spoon to complete the seasoning paste. It’s important to mix well so that the moisture from the vegetables blends nicely with the seasoning.
Step 5
Finally, add 3 Tbsp of toasted sesame seeds for a nutty aroma and mix them well into the seasoning. The sesame seeds will release a delicious nutty flavor with every bite, making it even tastier.
Step 6
Now it’s time to prepare the chives for mixing with the perilla leaves. Wash the chives thoroughly and drain them well. Chop them into small pieces, about 0.5 cm long. The fragrant chives will further enhance the taste of the perilla leaf kimchi.
Step 7
Add the chopped chives to the completed seasoning and mix gently to create the chive seasoning. Doesn’t it look even more appetizing with the chives added?
Step 8
Alright, now it’s time to season the perilla leaves! Wash the perilla leaves clean and make sure to completely dry them. Gently pat them dry with paper towels; this helps the seasoning adhere well and keeps the kimchi fresh longer. Lay out each perilla leaf flat and spread a thin layer of the prepared chive seasoning on top. Spreading it thinly is key, as too much can make it overly salty. This is the trick to perfect perilla leaf kimchi!
