Homemade Preserved Mustard Greens [Kiam Chye]

This recipe Preserved Mustard Greens [Kiam Chye] was shared by Sonia, Nasi Lemak Lover.

Tried brining the mustard greens Sonia's way.  Must thanked her for this EZ way to make our own 'kiam chye, hum choy'.

Here's the recipe adapted from Sonia.

Kiam Chai / Hum Choy

(Homemade Pickled Mustard Greens)

(recipe source: adapted from My Little Space and flavours lifestyle magazine, with minor changes)
Ingredients
2 kg mustard greens (kai choy) 芥菜, rinsed & drained 
145 gm coarse salt
Brining solution
3-4 litres water, or enough to cover
4 tbsp salt
40 gm ginger, sliced
1/2 tsp turmeric powder
1 tbsp rice flour, mixed with 4 tbsp water
Equipment- ceramic crock and heavy object (example plate), or glass jar with lid and a plastic sheet and rubber band.

1. Cut large heads of mustard greens into half, rub salt in between the leaves and stem then set aside for about 6 hours to draw out the moisture and wilt the greens.
2. Bring water to boil together with all other brining ingredients. Then set aside to cool before used.
3. Squeeze moisture from the mustard greens and then pack them into jar. 
4. Pour cooled brining solution into the jar to keep those mustard greens covered. 
5. Cover the top with plastic sheet & tide it up with rubber band, then cover by lid and set aside to in a cool place to ferment for 5-7 days.
6. Check on the greens every day and skim off the whitish bloom that appears on the surface of the brining solution.
7. Remove the mustard green after the 7th day without squeezing out any liquid, discard brining solution.
8. Wrap the mustard greens in cling film and store refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 2 months. 

Photos taken on my homemade preserved mustard greens

Notes

• Vegetable is crunchy, not too salty and has a mild sourish taste
• Just rinse and soak preserved kiam chye for 10 minutes [or taste it before soaking] to reduce the saltiness before cooking.

I cooked again this dish [Stir Fry Spicy Stingray with Preserved Mustard Greens], this time using my homemade preserved mustard greens [kiam chye].  It was delicious.  The vegetable was soft but crunchy after frying.