""The first time I had kimchi was when I arrived in New York City in 1986," says Jean-Georges Vongerichten. "I was like, Oh my God, what is this? It's fermented like the sauerkraut from Alsace, where I'm from, but the flavor is different. I didn't have a recipe, so instead of fermenting, I used vinegar for the sourness." Like sauerkraut, he serves this kimchi hot...."
INGREDIENTS
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2 tablespoons vegetable oil
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1 small red onion, thinly sliced
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1 teaspoon coriander seeds
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1 tablespoon gochugaru (Korean red pepper powder); see Note
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2 tablespoons gochujang (Korean red chile paste); see Note
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3 tablespoons sherry vinegar
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3 tablespoons Asian fish sauce
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One 3 1/4-pound head Napa cabbageâ??cored and cut into 2-inch pieces
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1 small Asian pearâ??peeled, cored and coarsely chopped
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1 kirby cucumber, sliced crosswise