Sweet Apple Radish Kimchi & Beef Patties for Kids
Mild Kimchi for Kids, Baby Food Menu, 4-Year-Old Meal Ideas, 3-Year-Old Meal Ideas, Beef Dishes
My eldest child loves kimchi fried rice but finds regular kimchi too spicy. So, I created a mild kimchi that even toddlers can enjoy! I’ve minimized the chili powder to focus on flavor, and added plenty of seasonal sweet apples for a delightfully crisp, sweet, and tangy taste. With both radishes and apples in season and tasting their best, this is a wonderful homemade side dish recommendation for your little ones. Making it myself, I was thrilled to see how much my child enjoyed it!
Sweet Apple Radish Kimchi
- 120g Radish (cut to about two finger-widths thick)
- 1/2 small Apple (approx. 100g)
- 0.5 Tbsp Salt
- 0.5 Tbsp Minced Garlic
- 0.5 Tbsp Gochugaru (Korean chili powder)
- 1 Tbsp Plum Extract (Maesil-cheong)
- 1 Tbsp Sesame Oil
Nutritious Beef Rice Patties
- 120g Beef (Bulgogi cut)
- 4 Perilla Leaves (Kkaennip)
- 1/4 Onion (approx. 60g)
- 20g Carrot
- 200g Cooked Rice (about 1.5 bowls)
- 2 Tbsp Soy Sauce for Braising (Jorim Ganjang)
- 1 Egg
- 2 Tbsp Pancake Mix (Buchim-garu)
- A little Sesame Seeds
- 2 Marshmallow Mushrooms (approx. 30g)
- 120g Beef (Bulgogi cut)
- 4 Perilla Leaves (Kkaennip)
- 1/4 Onion (approx. 60g)
- 20g Carrot
- 200g Cooked Rice (about 1.5 bowls)
- 2 Tbsp Soy Sauce for Braising (Jorim Ganjang)
- 1 Egg
- 2 Tbsp Pancake Mix (Buchim-garu)
- A little Sesame Seeds
- 2 Marshmallow Mushrooms (approx. 30g)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
1. Making Sweet Apple Radish Kimchi for Kids: First, wash and peel the radish and apple. Slice them thinly into small, bite-sized pieces, about the size of your fingernail. If they’re cut too large like adult kimchi, it can be difficult for children with developing teeth to chew. Cutting them small makes them easy to eat with a spoon; my child finished everything served today!
Step 2
In a bowl with the sliced radish and apple, add 0.5 Tbsp salt, 0.5 Tbsp minced garlic, and 0.5 Tbsp gochugaru. Gently mix them together. Since the salt helps draw out moisture from the radish, it’s best to add it initially so it tastes slightly savory, as the liquid will mellow the saltiness. After about 10 minutes, water will be released, and the seasoning will become perfectly balanced.
Step 3
After the initial seasoning has had a chance to meld, add 1 Tbsp of plum extract and mix again. If you plan to serve it immediately, stir in 1 Tbsp of sesame oil right before serving to impart its wonderful nutty aroma. If you’re letting it age for a day or two, it’s better to drizzle the sesame oil on just before eating to preserve its fresh fragrance.
Step 4
Once the radish is sliced, making kimchi is incredibly quick! Preparing small batches and serving them fresh each time makes this a side dish that children will truly enjoy and eat enthusiastically.
Step 5
1. Making Nutritious Beef Rice Patties: Finely mince the beef using a knife, or pound it until it’s spread out. Mincing the meat thoroughly will ensure a tender texture, similar to tteokgalbi.
Step 6
Add the finely minced beef to a bowl, along with finely chopped onion (1/4), carrot (20g), marshmallow mushrooms (2), perilla leaves (4), and 1 egg. Mix everything thoroughly. Feel free to substitute or add other vegetables your child enjoys.
Step 7
While tteokgalbi is often seasoned with salt, I tried using soy sauce this time. It added a subtle sweetness that my child found even more appealing. However, be cautious not to add too much soy sauce, as it can make the mixture too wet. Use whole sesame seeds for a pleasant texture and nutty flavor.
Step 8
Add 2 Tbsp of braising soy sauce and the cooked rice to the mixture. Knead well until combined. When you add the egg and rice, the mixture might not bind as well as you’d expect. The rice grains can become separated. To ensure the patties hold together nicely, add 2 to 3 Tbsp of pancake mix (buchim-garu) or flour. Adjust the amount of pancake mix based on the consistency of the dough; you want it firm enough to shape.
Step 9
Shape the mixture into small, flattened patties. Heat a generous amount of olive oil in a frying pan. Place the patties in the pan and cook until golden brown on both sides, turning them occasionally. Cook over medium-low heat to ensure they cook through completely.
