6 Dishes That Will Make You Fall in Love With Kimchi


 by Karyn Wofford

Spicy, sour and savory, kimchi is a boldly flavored side dish that hails from Korea. It consists of fermented chili peppers and vegetables like Napa cabbage. Sound bizarre? It actually undergoes the same process that creates sauerkraut and dill pickles.

Overview

Spicy, sour and savory, kimchi is a boldly flavored side dish that hails from Korea. It consists of fermented chili peppers and vegetables like Napa cabbage. Sound bizarre? It actually undergoes the same process that creates sauerkraut and dill pickles. And if you've never tried it, your taste buds (and your waistline) are in for a treat. Kimchi is low in calories and high in fiber, which can help your body feel full longer. It's also full of digestion-promoting probiotics and even helps lower blood sugar, which can assist with weight loss. We've got six easy and delicious ways to eat more of it. And who knows? You just might fall in love with kimchi (if you haven't already)!

1. Kimchi Power Salad With Edamame and Quinoa

Craving greens, but sick of the standard Cobb or Caesar salad? Make a kimchi salad instead. Our version contains fiber-rich kale and Napa cabbage. Toss in some cholesterol-lowering edamame and mildly sweet red onions, which can help boost heart health. Quinoa gives the salad substance and a full spectrum of essential amino acids, which are crucial for healthy cell production. Finish with a drizzle of nutty sesame oil, which can help lower blood sugar.

Related: Kimchi Power Salad With Edamame and Quinoa Recipe

2. Kimchi Salsa

Add heat to your salsa by tossing in kimchi. Canned tomatoes taste distinctively different than fresh tomatoes and have higher levels of cancer-fighting lycopene. But be sure to buy organic tomatoes in BPA-free cans. Brighten up the sauce with fresh cilantro, which can help reduce "bad" cholesterol, and lime juice, which can help improve digestion. This sauce tastes great with multigrain tortilla chips.

Related: Kimchi Salsa Recipe

3. Kimchi and Grilled Chicken Lettuce Cups

Perfect for your next potluck, lettuce cups are as easy to make as they are quick. We use hormone and antibiotic-free grilled chicken breasts that are marinated with amino-rich, low-glycemic Coconut Secret Teriyaki Sauce. Simply mix the grilled chicken with chopped cucumbers, shredded carrots and the kimchi, and then scoop the mixture into Bibb lettuce cups.

Related: Kimchi and Grilled Chicken Lettuce Cups Recipe

4. Shirataki Noodle and Tofu Bowl With Kimchi

This kimchi noodle bowl bursts with low-carb shirataki noodles. Scrumptiously chewy, the noodles are made from a dietary fiber called glucomannan, which can help reduce cholesterol, promote weight loss and control diabetes. It's mixed with sauteed mushrooms, protein-rich tofu and, of course, kimchi. Top it with dried seaweed, which can help maintain healthy thyroid function and prevent inflammation.

Related: Shirataki Noodle and Tofu Bowl With Kimchi Recipe

5. Autumn Kimchi Slaw

Summer may have come to an end, but that doesn't mean fun gatherings have to cease. Fire up the grill and pair delicious marinated chicken or burgers with this fall-inspired kimchi slaw. You can even add it inside your burger! Peanuts add crunch and heart-healthy monounsaturated fats. And of all of the veggies out there, red cabbage has some of the highest levels of disease-fighting antioxidants. Crisp green apple adds a hint of autumn flavor.

Related: Autumn Kimchi Slaw Recipe

6. Deviled Eggs With Kimchi

What happens when you combine traditional Korean flavors with an American classic? Magic! Your standard deviled eggs are given some serious edge with cholesterol-fighting black sesame seeds, gut-healthy Greek yogurt, anti-inflammatory mustard and probiotic-rich kimchi. Serve this unique and tasty appetizer at your next large gathering.

Related: Deviled Eggs With Kimchi Recipe

What Do YOU Think?

Have you tried kimchi before? Do you like it? Which of these recipes would you try? Share your thoughts in the comments section below!

Related: 13 Surprising and Beneficial Probiotic Foods

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