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Of Cabbages and Kimchi: A Practical Guide to the World of Fermented Food
SHORTLISTED FOR THE ANDRE SIMON FOOD BOOK AWARD
SHORTLISTED FOR THE FORTNUM AND MASON FOOD BOOK AWARD
A playful and accessible guide to fermenting at home
James Read is on a mission to smuggle bacteria into our kitchens. In Of Cabbages & Kimchi, he takes the ten greatest 'living' ferments - fermented foods that are neither cooked nor pasteurized - and places them under the microscope, before cooking with them in all their delicious versatility.
From the fiery funk of kimchi to the velvet tang of kefir, James describes the microbial process, then shares his recipes for recreating these wonders in your own kitchen - no specialist equipment required.
Alongside his recipes, James investigates the extraordinary cultural and historic backgrounds of fermented foods, exploring how the microbes that bring them to life have developed alongside our culinary evolution. Featuring over fifty recipes - including Mushroom and Sauerkraut Pierogi, Chilled Radish Noodle Soup and Green Chilli Fermented Salsa - and packed to the brim with Marija Tiurina's gastro-surrealist watercolour illustrations, Of Cabbages and Kimchi will help you create, understand and appreciate fermentation's bubbling magic.
SHORTLISTED FOR THE FORTNUM AND MASON FOOD BOOK AWARD
A playful and accessible guide to fermenting at home
James Read is on a mission to smuggle bacteria into our kitchens. In Of Cabbages & Kimchi, he takes the ten greatest 'living' ferments - fermented foods that are neither cooked nor pasteurized - and places them under the microscope, before cooking with them in all their delicious versatility.
From the fiery funk of kimchi to the velvet tang of kefir, James describes the microbial process, then shares his recipes for recreating these wonders in your own kitchen - no specialist equipment required.
Alongside his recipes, James investigates the extraordinary cultural and historic backgrounds of fermented foods, exploring how the microbes that bring them to life have developed alongside our culinary evolution. Featuring over fifty recipes - including Mushroom and Sauerkraut Pierogi, Chilled Radish Noodle Soup and Green Chilli Fermented Salsa - and packed to the brim with Marija Tiurina's gastro-surrealist watercolour illustrations, Of Cabbages and Kimchi will help you create, understand and appreciate fermentation's bubbling magic.
220 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 2, 2023
43 people are currently reading
477 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
August 12, 2023
Excellent read - excited to try some recipes from it too!
March 10, 2023
Fascinating, informative and highly entertaining dive into the world of fermented foods. I'd never considered fermenting my own food before, now I can't wait to crack out the jars and the SCOBYs. And those illustrations!
August 28, 2023
How many times have you read a book about food or a cookbook cover to cover? Well this is one of those rare occasions where you’ll find yourself reading it cover to cover, occasionally chuckling and going awww at the gorgeous illustrations. And yes, you’ll want to start fermenting whatever you can get your hands on.
I’m staring at three different jars while I type this so I know what I’m talking about.
I’m staring at three different jars while I type this so I know what I’m talking about.
March 13, 2023
Inspiring, informative and easily digestible. Amazing explanations of fermented products accompanied by understandable and achievable recipes with suggestions for dishes. The illustrations are beautiful and absolutely captivating.
If you are interested in fermented foods and the processes behind them this is a must read!!!
If you are interested in fermented foods and the processes behind them this is a must read!!!
January 14, 2024
accessible, informative, empowering, and fun! excited to try out loads of new recipes
January 5, 2025
This was an absolute joy to read - packed with brilliant illustration, great recipes and food history and politics.
Read
October 26, 2024I thought I was purchasing a book with recipes for Cabbage, in particular making Kimchi. What I purchased was a wonderful education on how to make so many fermented foods and drinks which are becoming the must haves for any person who is following the current health conscious trend of eating/drinking fermented foods. There are a number of recipes attached to each chapter on each group of foods.
Did you know you can make your own vinegars and soy sauce? I didn't but now I do. Not only those but sauerkraut, kimchi, kvass and kombucha to name a few.
If you are interested in not only the history of these foods but how to get started making your own, this book is for you. I am looking forward to putting this book to the test soon.
Did you know you can make your own vinegars and soy sauce? I didn't but now I do. Not only those but sauerkraut, kimchi, kvass and kombucha to name a few.
If you are interested in not only the history of these foods but how to get started making your own, this book is for you. I am looking forward to putting this book to the test soon.
June 12, 2023
Not only inspiring recipes to add to my fermenting repertoire but the most delightful illustrations by Maria Tiurina.
April 9, 2024
Took a while to read this one. One could say I have been fermenting over this.
Of Cabbages and Kimchi: a practical guide to the world of fermented food by James Read
A recipe & history/zoological exploration of some tasty food, with a few bonus microbes. Sauerkraut, Yogurt, Kimchi, Vinegar, Kvasa, and so many other cool food experiments.
On top of being well researched and with some great troubleshooting recipes, James is a very funny writer. The illustrations are out of this world as well, each page is a treasure for some really one of a kind illustrations.
Of Cabbages and Kimchi: a practical guide to the world of fermented food by James Read
A recipe & history/zoological exploration of some tasty food, with a few bonus microbes. Sauerkraut, Yogurt, Kimchi, Vinegar, Kvasa, and so many other cool food experiments.
On top of being well researched and with some great troubleshooting recipes, James is a very funny writer. The illustrations are out of this world as well, each page is a treasure for some really one of a kind illustrations.
June 4, 2023
I love this book. I own a plethora of fermentation books and this one is my absolute favourite. The history, stories, recipes and illustrations are excellent. While I’ve dabbled with sauerkraut and kombucha in the past, I now have five different ferments in my cupboard. I originally borrowed this from the library and like it so much I bought it. I recommend it highly!
February 9, 2024
I picked this up as a gift for a friend who lives in a different country, so had the opportunity to read it before passing it on.
This book is wonderful. On every page the joy and love really shines through. The chapters are an engaging journey of history and science, with some linguistics thrown in, and so, so much practical advice into starting fermenting at home. And it is so, so funny.
If this had come without the recipe sections I think I still would have been delighted, but they really tip it over, and there's a little troubleshooting guide for each type of ferment for when my bubbling jars inevitably go a bit tits up and I need reassurance.
The author is so knowledgeable and passionate and they put across their excitement incredibly well.
Oh! And the ART! The illustrations throughout the book are gorgeous, charming and really funny.
Interested in home fermenting? Enjoy eating food or food history? Please pick this up, you won't regret it.
This book is wonderful. On every page the joy and love really shines through. The chapters are an engaging journey of history and science, with some linguistics thrown in, and so, so much practical advice into starting fermenting at home. And it is so, so funny.
If this had come without the recipe sections I think I still would have been delighted, but they really tip it over, and there's a little troubleshooting guide for each type of ferment for when my bubbling jars inevitably go a bit tits up and I need reassurance.
The author is so knowledgeable and passionate and they put across their excitement incredibly well.
Oh! And the ART! The illustrations throughout the book are gorgeous, charming and really funny.
Interested in home fermenting? Enjoy eating food or food history? Please pick this up, you won't regret it.
March 11, 2023
Cute book I love the illustrations. I like that there is an explanation, then a recipe to make the thing. With info on trouble shooting issues.
For an example there is a sour kraut recipe. Then multiple recipes on how to use the sour kraut such as a Ruben sandwich or Choucroute Garnie (which I had never heard of but now want to try).
It is a great book and I am excited to try making my own fermented food from my garden.
For an example there is a sour kraut recipe. Then multiple recipes on how to use the sour kraut such as a Ruben sandwich or Choucroute Garnie (which I had never heard of but now want to try).
It is a great book and I am excited to try making my own fermented food from my garden.
March 14, 2023
What a wonderful book! Everything you need to know to start fermentation of your own - from entry level sauerkraut to the year-long project that is soy sauce. More than that though, it's shot through with the history of fermented foods and the cultures that produced them, and recipes for how to use the delicious things you'll get to make. Delightfully written with humour and insight with every page
March 14, 2023
Beautifully written and illustrated guide to the world of fermenting. Have only tried a few recipes so far but they’ve been delicious, the kimchi jigae and pancakes are stand outs.
March 17, 2024
Utterly delightful. I have a special place in my heart for books that can convey the author’s eccentricity through the tone of the writing. The illustrations are also wonderful.
March 29, 2024
4.6/5 - a perfect introduction to fermentation - not just a recipe book, but containing the history and science of fermentation.
October 5, 2024
Due to extensive research, clear presentation and the neat animations, this is a clear five stars.
Though you might not read it front to back like a novel. ;)
Though you might not read it front to back like a novel. ;)
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews