grilled kimchi & fried Kimchi

When I plan recipes, I try to consolidate multiple recipes into one video if I can if they are simple enough. If you can remember from last year, I made a video called "3 Ways to Cook Heirloom Tomatoes". I could've called this kimchi video that this blog post is about "2 Ways to Cook Kimchi" but that wouldn't make any sense because to me, when it comes to listicles, it's only intriguing if you have 3 or more items in the list. Besides, I'm using kimchi in other ways too. However a BuzzFeed post called "9 Ways to Cook with Kimchi" would possibly garner me some likes and shares.

When I told my dad about recording this video, he didn't think it was so simple. But I proved him wrong- the grilled kimchi only takes 30 seconds to grill if you use a George Foreman grill and the fried kimchi only takes 15-30 seconds to fry on each side. The prep for cooking the kimchi though is slightly more involved but it's doable.

I researched ways to grill kimchi and the only search results I got were for kimchi grilled cheese sandwiches. Then I looked for ways to grill cabbage and the only search results I got were for grilling cabbage halves, which are much bigger than little kimchi pieces. I basically had to wing it for this recipe, armed only with the knowledge I obtained from grilling heirloom tomatoes last December.

When I researched ways to fry kimchi, most of the search results I got were for kimchi fried rice. However, I found one result that involved deep-frying kimchi(http://www.mrskimskimchi.com/blogs/recipes-1/13785697-it-happened-deep-fried-kimchi), which is pretty similar to pan-frying it. Heck, I followed a recipe for deep-frying candy bars last month when I made my Pan-Fried Candy Bars.

That link taught me a much faster way to dry out kimchi- put it in the microwave for 20 seconds, instead of weighing it down with a heavy can for several hours. Of course this method only works if you're using heat to cook your kimchi, so if you were making kimchi ice cream, this method would be a bad idea. Nobody likes melted ice cream. :(

When it comes to comparing which kimchi tasted better, it would be the fried kimchi, hands-down, due to the crunchiness of it. Besides, everything tastes better fried, even if it is less healthier for you. :(

You will need:

Grilled Kimchi

For the cooking equipment:

A George Foreman grill
A pastry brush

For the actual grilled kimchi:

A dozen kimchi pieces
1/4 cup of olive oil
Pinch of salt
Pinch of black pepper

1. Microwave the kimchi for 20 seconds to dry it out.
2. Brush the kimchi pieces with olive oil, using a pastry brush.
3. Season the kimchi with salt and pepper.
4. After warming up your grill, arrange the kimchi on the grill in one layer, so everything is cooked evenly.
5. Close the lid on the George Foreman gril and let the kimchi cook for 30 seconds. If smoke starts coming out of the grill, unplug the grill immediately!
6. Bon appetit!

Makes 12 grilled kimchi pieces

Fried Kimchi

For the cooking equipment:

A large bowl
A medium bowl
A small bowl
A frying pan
2 forks

For the actual fried kimchi:

A dozen kimchi pieces
All-purpose flour
2 beaten and whisked eggs
Plain breadcrumbs
Pinch of chili powder
Pinch of salt
Pinch of black pepper
Canola oil for frying

1. Pour some plain breadcrumbs into a medium bowl. Mix the chili powder, salt, and black pepper into the breadcrumbs.
2. Dredge the kimchi pieces in flour.
3. Coat the dredged kimchi pieces in egg.
4. Bread the kimchi pieces in the seasoned breadcrumbs.
5. Put breaded kimchi on to a large plate.
6. Pour canola oil into a frying pan and spread the oil around the pan.
7. Heat the oil up on the stove.
8. Once the oil is heated up, put the breaded kimchi into the frying pan. Let the kimchi cook for 15-30 seconds.
9. After 15-30 seconds, flip the kimchi pieces over using 2 forks. Let the kimchi cook for an additional 15-30 seconds. You might have to make 2 batches.
10. Remove the fried kimchi from the grill. Bon appetit!

Makes 12 fried kimchi pieces