Anna's Korean Kitchen Diary» how-to http://www.kimchibulgogi.com Korean Recipes, Videos, and Restaurant Reviews Wed, 19 Oct 2011 22:47:10 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.1.2 How to store Homemade Kimchi http://www.kimchibulgogi.com/how-to-store-homemade-kimchi/ http://www.kimchibulgogi.com/how-to-store-homemade-kimchi/#comments Wed, 03 Mar 2010 03:41:44 +0000 Anna http://www.kimchibulgogi.com/how-to-store-homemade-kimchi/ Don't know how to store Kimchi that you just made?
Save those pickle jars like the one I found on eBay! The bigger the better! Those are the perfect types of jars to store kimchi. We usually use the gallon ones but feel free to use smaller ones if you make smaller amount.

On sale on Ebay:


Plastic containers like the following are good too, but just know that you should use those containers only for storing kimchi since it will leave some smell and reddish color even after you wash it (unless you let it out in the sun to dry).

On sale on Ebay:


DON'T store them in an air-tight jars since when the fermentation starts the gas might pop out the lid...who knows what might happen...not good.

At first when you let it sit in room temperature it might overflow if you top it off to high. Leave some room so it won't overflow and make your house all stinky~

Now you know how to store Kimchi so follow the links to the kimchi recipes you might want to try!

Hope that helps.

If anyone has any further question relating to kimchi or storing kimchi, don't hesitate to ask!
(Although it may take some time but will post it up!)

ENJOY and eat more Kimchi!

Kimchi Recipes:
Traditional Whole Napa Cabbage Kimchi
Quick 'n Easy version Kimchi
Non Spicy American Cabbage Kimchi
Young Radish Water (YeoulMoo Mul) Kimchi
White Non-Spicy Kimchi

Friend : need a cup of coffee? grinder your coffee with an antique coffee grinder.

]]> http://www.kimchibulgogi.com/how-to-store-homemade-kimchi/feed/ 5 How to Clean a Whole Squid/Calamari http://www.kimchibulgogi.com/how-to-clean-a-whole-squidcalamari/ http://www.kimchibulgogi.com/how-to-clean-a-whole-squidcalamari/#comments Thu, 28 Jan 2010 01:33:39 +0000 Anna http://www.kimchibulgogi.com/?p=1861 Squid or Calamari. Fried, dried and grilled, steamed, or added to stews. Squid is used in so many different ways in Korean Cuisine.

Let's talk about how to prep your squid and clean it.

Cut squid body vertically
Cut squid's body down to expose the intestine and the ink sac.

*If you want to prep for squid ring style (maybe for fried calamari), Don't cut the body down at the first step. Instead, pull out the inner part by holding the tentacles. And then follow the steps below.*

Cut out the inner parts
You might be shocked by PINK rubber glove but this is Korean brand and very comfortable and thick (sold at Korean Markets or scroll down for other choices LOL.) Cut out the inner parts from the body. If you want to use ink for some other cooking recipes, save the ink sac but we don't use it. We are using tentacles as well so cut right next to the eyes and save tentacles and throw rest of other parts out (eyes and inner parts).

Squid Beak
After you cut out the tentacles, don't forget to take out the inedible cartilage "beak" part. Flip tentacles and you'll find it in the center. Just pull it out with your hands. Easy enough.

Suction cups
Now the suction cup part of the squid. Grab each tentacle at a time and pull hard to clean out the suction cups.

Squid Membrane/skin
Squid membrane or skin whatever you call it is EDIBLE but usually cleaned out for the appearance sake. Make a slit (or score) on the membrane like the picture.

Pull out the membrane
And just pull off the membrane/skin on the body and the tentacles as best as you can. Wash thoroughly.

squid strips
Then just cut them into strips (bite size). Now you are ready to use squid for your recipe.

Recipes with Squid:
Haemul Pajeon/Seafood Korean Pancake Recipe


Kimchi Recipes:
Traditional Whole Napa Cabbage Kimchi
Quick 'n Easy version Kimchi

Other Recipes:
Bulgogi-Korean BBQ beef
Spicy Chicken Bulgogi
Korean style Pickl (Oiji)
Fresh Spicy Cucumber Salad
Fresh Tofu Salad
Stir Fried Eggplant
Mini Ground Turkey Pancake
Zucchini Jun

]]> http://www.kimchibulgogi.com/how-to-clean-a-whole-squidcalamari/feed/ 1 How to cook steamed Dumpling/Mandu http://www.kimchibulgogi.com/how-to-cook-steamed-mandu-dumpling/ http://www.kimchibulgogi.com/how-to-cook-steamed-mandu-dumpling/#comments Tue, 13 Oct 2009 00:42:12 +0000 Anna http://www.kimchibulgogi.com/?p=1601 Steamed Mandu
Quick reference on how to steam cook Mandu.

Frozen Mandu
First of all, when you are done making Kimchibulgogi.com Mandu, make sure you separate each and freeze them like the picture shown before putting them altogether in a ziploc bag or a container. Do not overlap them when you are first freezing it, otherwise, mandu will stick to each other. Not pretty when you are ready to cook.

pour little water in
If you are a beginner just like me (Anna) pour water about this much.

Ready to steam
Just place a steamer or metal colander and cover. Bring to boil.

Place Mandu
When water starts to boil, place frozen mandu like so. Don't overlap them. They'll stick to each other. Cook about 5-8minutes. Our wrapper seemed to be thicker than usual and I cooked about 8-9minutes but the round puffy mandu turns 'wrinkly' and little transparent. Then, you are done!

Steamed Mandu
If you want to add some dipping sauce, I just mixed soy sauce and little vinegar together. Quick and easy sauce. Enjoy!

Click here for Mandu Recipe
Click here for how to fry Mandu

Steam Baskets for Sale on eBay

]]> http://www.kimchibulgogi.com/how-to-cook-steamed-mandu-dumpling/feed/ 2 How to fry Mandu or Korean Dumpling http://www.kimchibulgogi.com/how-to-fry-mandu/ http://www.kimchibulgogi.com/how-to-fry-mandu/#comments Mon, 14 Sep 2009 17:55:44 +0000 Anna http://www.kimchibulgogi.com/?p=1489 Quick reference on how to fry Mandu...
lightly oil the pan
Lightly cover frying pan with oil and fry on medium heat. If it's too high Mandu might burn without properly cooking the inner part. We don't want that!

cover mandu
I usually don't like frying things since oil splatters on my arms...ouch...let's make sure you don't get burned and cover the pan.

fry mandu
Cook both sides and when it gets golden brown, turn it off and enjoy with soy sauce! Yay!

Recipes:
Mandu/Dumpling
Click here for how to STEAM mandu

Kimchi Recipes:
Traditional Whole Napa Cabbage Kimchi
Quick 'n Easy version Kimchi

Other Recipes:
Bulgogi-Korean BBQ beef
Spicy Chicken Bulgogi
Korean style Pickl (Oiji)
Fresh Spicy Cucumber Salad
Fresh Tofu Salad
Stir Fried Eggplant
Mini Ground Turkey Pancake
Zucchini Jun

]]> http://www.kimchibulgogi.com/how-to-fry-mandu/feed/ 0 How to Cook Perfect Korean Style Steamed Rice http://www.kimchibulgogi.com/cooking-korean-steamed-rice/ http://www.kimchibulgogi.com/cooking-korean-steamed-rice/#comments Mon, 23 Feb 2009 19:46:59 +0000 Anna http://www.kimchibulgogi.com/?p=41 Have you ever tried Korean rice? I would say Korean style rice is more sticky and chewy(?). It goes really well with all different kinds of Korean Banchans/Sidedish. Love Korean steamed rice but don't have an expensive Korean cooker? (I sound like a commercial LOL) Well here's the cheap quick solution for you. You just need some Korean rice, water, and a pot! Korean Rice
Ok Let's start!
Korean Rice
First of all, buy Korean Rice! There are other kinds of rice too, so be careful. We have this kind right now, but there are other kinds of Korean Rice too, so don't feel like you have to buy what we have. As long as it says Korean somewhere it should be fine. Oh and watch out for sweet rice since they come in smaller packages. Don't buy those. Stick with KOREAN RICE. Ok? After opening just store rice as it is in a cool dry place. Don't need to do anything special. Just leave it in the corner.

Following recipe makes about 4 servings (according to my mom): Get 2 cups of rice. Wash and soak in water for about 15 minutes. rice pot After soaking, wash rice for about 3 times and put washed rice in the pot. Put 3 cups of water. If you don't like it too sticky put 2.5 cup water. More water means more sticky it will be...just don't over do it. It may turn out too watery or like a rice cake. LOL. boil rice
Put the stove on high heat first and let it boil covered. Boil for about 5-6 minutes. Open the cover/lid slightly like so, to prevent any overflow and boil for another 2 minutes. Lower the stove to medium heat (about 4 on our stove knob.) CLOSE the lid on medium heat. This is the final steaming process and a very important one. Cook on medium heat for about 15 minutes and turn the stove off. Let it sit for about 5 minutes and then open and stir nicely and serve.
a bowl of rice
Yay! Your very first bowl of rice! You know, not many Koreans can cook by pot too. Most people tend to rely on cookers these days but this is more traditional way. So you are a pro Korean cook now! Hooray! Oh if you have leftovers, put them in a container and store in the freezer and microwave for couple minutes. That's the single's way of storing cooked rice or it will go bad.

Bonus: Do you see the the bottom layer of rice sticking to the pot that looks too hard to call it steamed rice? Don't throw it away. We usually call those Nooroongji (left over dried rice?) Just pour 4 cups of water and boil it and it becomes a quick porridge for you. It will be a good snack or good breakfast whatever you call it. Easy to swallow and steaming hot that will warm up your belly!

If you cook Korean rice VERY often you might consider purchasing a Korean cooker. You can cook fast and have them store for couple days without letting it go bad.
Pressure Cooker
The easiest way to cook Korean style rice is to buy a Korean cooker...this one in the picture is actually a large size and a pressure cooker (rice tastes better..or so it seems). There are different sizes and different companies. We recently got a new smaller size (4 cups) from Cuckoo. It seems like it's pretty popular among Koreans here. Everything is labeled in English as well so don't be scared to use it. Oh and too lazy to 'cook' rice? Just get Ready to go rice (HatBahn).

Cuckoo Rice Cooker on eBay

What can you do with steamed rice? Cick the links for the recipes.
Eat with different banchans
Make into riceballs
Eat with soups or stews
Or just with Kimchi!

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