If you know me well, you know I’m kind of obsessed (ok, maybe obsessed is the wrong word here) about fresh breath. And it’s hard when you’re a Korean food lover like me and love kimchi. I always have gum (at least 2 different kinds) and breath mints and ice breakers in my purse. I always travel with gum so if you ever need a mint or piece of gum, ask me for one. It’s my thing.
True story: when Paul (my husband) tried to kiss me for the first time .. we had sushi that night and for whatever reason I didn’t have gum or breath mints in my purse. Maybe I switched purses that night and forgot. Who knows what happened. All I remember is that he came in for the kiss and I gave him the cheek. I thought my breath stunk and didn’t want our first kiss to be a terrible one. So, he left that night, feeling deflated and wondering what had gone wrong. . I think we even talked on the phone really late that night because one of us called the other. So, I came clean and told him why and the next time I saw him, we made up for that awkward first attempt of a kiss.
And, well I guess the rest is history. He’s my husband now and no breath mints are required before smootching.
Well, all that talk about fresh breath goes out the window with this Kimchi Bruschetta. And it’s damn well worth it my friends. If you like and eat kimchi (or really any garlic heavy ethnic food), you will LOVE this bruschetta. I’m pretty adventurous with my food and love trying new things. I will pretty much try anything at least once (beef tongue. oh yes I did).
When I showed this recipe to my brother and sister, they both were a little confused. For my sister, the ricotta was weird. For my brother, he said he’d try it if the kimchi was sautéed (which it is!).
So, I’m sharing this with you today because it was freaking delicious. Delicious. So, get over the ricotta if it’s weird for you. . it adds a lovely creaminess here and because ricotta has a mild taste, it pairs delightfully with the garlic, tomatoes, kimchi and sesame oil. So, here’s to a little adventure and throwing caution to the wind. And let me just say this one more time. This kimchi bruschetta is absolutely delicious.
I hope you enjoy!
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- ½ french baguette, sliced
- 1 garlic clove, peeled and left whole
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 1½ heaping cups kimchi, chopped
- 1 medium to large sized tomato, diced with the seeds removed
- fresh ricotta cheese
- fresh green onions, diced for garnish
- Using a large nonstick skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the baguette slices and cook until well toasted on each side; for about 2 to 3 minutes on each side. Remove from heat, rub one side of all the baguette slices with the garlic and set aside.
- Using a medium to large sized nonstick skillet, heat the sesame oil over medium high heat. Add the kimchi and sauté for about 3 to 4 minutes, or until heated through. Remove from heat and set aside to cool for a few minutes. Combine the fresh diced tomatoes and sautéed kimchi and mix well.
- To assemble: spread the ricotta cheese on each baguette and top with the tomato/kimchi mixture. Garnish with the diced green onions and serve immediately.
If you don’t have an Asian or Korean market close to you and want to pick up some kimchi, try looking at your neighborhood Costco!! Good luck and I hope you give this recipe a try!
It looks delicious. I do have to admit though I had to Google kimchi 🙂
hi Barbara, thank you! and totally understand that if you are not Korean or didn’t grow up or are in a city where Korean food is prevalent, you wouldn’t know what kimchi is. . But if you are adventurous and love food, which I know you do. . I wanted to share this article I just read the other day about Kimchi and Korean food: http://www.seriouseats.com/2014/08/how-korean-cuisine-got-huge-in-america.html
Haha, love your cute story, Alice! I’m a little obsessed with brushing my teeth. I don’t like chewing gum so I probably brush my teeth way more often than I need to, but at least I have fresh breath 🙂 I’d be happy to put my fresh breath aside for a serving of this kimchi bruschetta!
haha, thank you Ashley!!
Haha! I don’t think the ricotta is weird at all…granted I never eat kimchi so don’t really know how it tastes. But i’ll take your word for it Alice – I don’t think you’d lie to us all 😉 We’re bruschetta buddies today cause I just posted a bruschetta recipe! I think it’s all those beautiful seasonal tomatoes screaming our names or something! Thanks for sharing 🙂
Hi Kelly, of course!! Loved your bruschetta and pesto recipe as well!
Love this Alice, such a great idea. And I absolutely love your writing style!
Haha thanks so much, Matt!!
Ha! Thanks for making me laugh this morning :)!! Who cares about bad breath when you get to indulge in one or five of these?? So beautiful and I bet super tasty!
Thanks so much Kathi! 🙂 yes, super tasty indeed!
This looks so good! I so need to make a new batch of kimchi!
You make your own kimchi?! Kevin, you rock. Do you have a recipe on your blog?
Your first kiss story is hilarious, and so cute!! I love kimchi but you’re right – it gives me the worst breath! But who cares, this looks too good to pass up!! What a fun twist on bruschetta!
Thank you, Cate!! I’m telling you this was so delicious. . I hope you give it a try!
What a wonderful story! I get it though.. Garlic was my first boyfriend. 🙂 I love that you’ve combined two delicious foods in one in such a beautiful and unique way. And why shouldn’t they go together? Costco has kimchi? I had no idea, I’ll definitely have to check that out!!
Maria, thank you!! Costco totally has kimchi . . and I know they have it for sure in Washington. . I used to buy mine sometimes at the Issaquah location when I couldn’t get to the Asian market or Hmart.
Hahah Alice you almost sent that man packing! So cute 🙂 I love these!! I need to find kimchi is our local Asian stores and try it soon. Your recipes always inspire me to.
Haha, right?! Thank you, Zainab!!
and YES, you need to try Kimchi ASAP!!
Alice, you are a genius!!! This sounds soooo amazing. Also, that awkward first kiss story is fabulous. I’m glad breath mints aren’t required anymore 🙂
haha, thank you Amy!! You need to try this .. I know you will love it!
Girl we have an expression called putting your foot in something and it means you did the dang thing and you definitely put your foot in these! They are stunning and fantastic, and I want 10!
Did the dang thing. Love this!! 🙂 Thanks, J!
Wow Alice! this is a really great way to use Kimchi and I love using it as a pickle style topping. I have some homemade kimchi which would be pretty awesome like this. ps,) yes it can get pretty funky, but damn worth the flavour!
hahahha that anecdote is JUST SO CUTE!!!!!!!! <3 ^_^ I LOVE LOVE LOVE meals that have been spruced up with an extra hint of garlic !!! It just makes food taste sooooo much flavorful for some reason and I for one, would certainly not care about how my breath smells if it means that I get to eat LOTS of these bruschettas!!!!! I mean, that is why breath mints and gum are for!!! hehehe! Kimchi is like my most favorite thing to eat. Usually, at weddings here, they have this large section for appetizers and it includes all kinds of raitas, finger foods and kimchi; I always end up piling up a mountain of kimchi on my plate so this is just perfect! Pinning! 😀 <3
Oh what a fabulous idea! I absolutely love kimchi and sometimes eat it with toast when I need a snack in a hurry, but your bruschettas make them so much more posh!
Hehe loved your story about your first kiss with your hubby, so adorable 🙂 This is such a great idea Alice! We always have a big batch of homemade kimchi on hand and it sounds amazing with the ricotta cheese and bruschetta flavors! I can’t wait to make this, pinning 🙂
Oh Kelly, please let me know if you try this! If you like kimchi, you will love this!
Oh Alice, I wanted to tell you that I just tried making this kimchi bruschetta on the weekend and it was phenomenal! The hubs and I absolutely loved it – so many incredible flavors going on at once – it was amazing! I even tried using feta and it was fantastic! Thanks so much for this awesome recipe girl – it was a total winner and will definitely be making a regular appearance around here 🙂
Oh that makes me so happy to hear, hooray!!! I’m going to try feta next time!! 🙂
I love Kimchi!! Kimchi Bruchetta is a fabulous idea.. Love it!! Have a great weekend.. 🙂
DEeeeeeeeeeeeeLISH Looking!
“”All I remember is that he came in for the kiss and I gave him the cheek.””” that is funny 😀 xx
haha, thank you!!
Woman…this looks so good! Reminds me of the cream cheese and kimchi sandwiches I made as an after-school snack in HS. Gotta try this…I just made a batch of kimchi!
Amy, you need to try this!! you will love it!
I must admit, I’ve never tried kimchi… but bruschetta that looks this good is worthy of bad breath!!! 🙂