Barley and black pepper kimchi

Begin by brining the cabbage. Make a 10% solution by dissolving the 300g of salt in 3l of water

Cut the cabbages in half lengthways then slice into 1.5cm thick slices. Place in the brine for 1 1/2 hours

Cook the barley in 200ml boiling water until soft. Reserve the boiling liquid

Using half of the reserved barley liquid, blend the raw garlic and peppercorns. Once smooth, add the cooked barley and blend to a thick paste

Drain the cabbage really well, squeeze out any excess brine and mix well with the barley paste

Place in a vacuum bag, seal in a bar chamber sealer and leave in a warm place for 5–7 days (if you don't have vac pac equipment, use sandwich bags and weigh down with a sandwich bag full of water). The bag might start to inflate a little as the fermentation process creates gasses. If it is particularly warm, the process will happen quicker so keep an eye out and if you notice the bags reach bursting point, the kimchi is ready

Open the bags and taste, if you prefer it a little more tangy, leave to ferment out of the fridge for a few more days. If you are happy with the flavour, transfer to sterilised jars and store in the fridge – this will slow the fermentation process right down

Serve on its own with cheese and charcuterie, mix through a rice dish or get it out for barbecue season; it is delicious in a burger, on a hotdog or with marinated ribs