Doenjang Jjigae Recipes

CLASSIC DOENJANG JJIGAE (KOREAN SOYBEAN PASTE STEW)

Steps:

• To make the anchovy stock, combine rice starch water, dried anchovy, and sea kelp in a stone pot or heavy bottom pot and bring to boil. Reduce the heat to low and simmer for 3-4 minutes. Discard the anchovies and sea kelp.
• To make the stew, smear the pastes in a mini scoop strainer or slotted spoon and incorporate into the stock. Add the onion and bring to a gentle boil over medium heat.
• Add zucchini, tofu, and mushroom; continue to boil over medium-low heat for 1-2 minutes.
• Add garlic, chili flakes, and fresh chili and heat through. Sprinkle green onion and remove from heat. Serve hot with rice.

DOENJANG JJIGAE (KOREAN SOYBEAN PASTE STEW)

Steps:

• Cut the tofu and zucchini into about 1-inch cubes. Cut the radish into thin small squares. Thinly slice the onion and pepper. Roughly chop the scallion. Slice the meat into thin strips.
• Preheat a small pot with a little bit of oil. Sauté the meat, soybean paste, and chili pepper flakes, over medium heat for 3 to 4 minutes.
• Add the water (or anchovy broth) and stir well to dissolve the soy bean paste. Add the radish (if using a potato, add it in the next step). Boil over medium high heat for 3 to 4 minutes.
• Add the onion, garlic, tofu, zucchini, and chili pepper. Boil for an additional 5 to 6 minutes. Throw in the scallion pieces and add the optional vinegar with a minute or two remaining.
• Serve with a bowl of rice while it is still bubbling from the heat.

DOENJANG JJIGAE (된장찌개 / FERMENTED-SOYBEAN STEW)

Steps:

• Put the dashi in a stockpot or other large pot set over medium-high heat and bring to a simmer. Whisk in the doenjang and cook for 10 minutes to bring out its natural sweetness. Add the gochujang and simmer for 5 minutes. Add the gochugaru, garlic, and soy sauce and simmer for another 10 minutes.
• Add the onions and simmer for 5 minutes. Add the zucchini and simmer for 5 minutes. (Adding the vegetables at different times will ensure that they will all be fully cooked at the end.) Add the chili peppers, beef, and tofu and simmer for 5 minutes. Taste and adjust the seasoning with more soy sauce if necessary.
• Remove the pot from the heat, add the scallions, put on the lid, and let the stew rest for at least 30 minutes, and up to 2 hours, before serving. Serve with steamed rice and your favorite banchan, as any and all pair well with this stew.