Korean Gamja Tang Potato Stew Recipes

GAMJATANG (PORK BONE SOUP)

Steps:

• Soak the pork bones in cold water for at least 1 hour (to get rid of any excess red liquid that looks like blood). Drain away the water. (If you can, try to change the water every 15 mins.)
• Place the bones into a large pot and add enough water to cover the bones, then boil it for about 10 minutes over medium high heat, covered. Drain away the water and rinse the bones in cold running water.
• In a large clean pot, place the bones and add the water (7 cups) and all ingredients from the "aromatic vegetables" section. Simmer it on medium to low heat for 1 hr 30 mins, covered.
• While the bone broth is simmering;(1) Put the potatoes in a separate pot and add enough water to cover them. Boil it over medium high heat until the potatoes are nearly cooked (about 90%). Drain away the water and set aside the potatoes until needed.(2) In a separate pot, add some water and the salt (1/8 tsp) and boil it. Once the water is rapidly boiling, parboil the napa cabbage for 1 to 2 mins. Drain away the water and cool down the leaves. Tear down each leaf length ways with your hands. (Or you can use a knife to cut them.)
• Sieve the broth (from step 3) through the strainer and catch the broth in a large bowl. Also, keep the pork bones but discard any boiled spices/vegetables. It should result in about just under 5 cups of broth.
• Transfer the broth into a clean pot, then add back the pork bones, potatoes, cabbage leaves, and the seasoning base into the pot. Boil over medium high heat until the potatoes cook completely (10 to 15 mins).
• Reduce the heat to medium. Add the remaining vegetables (mung bean sprouts, crown daisy leaves, perilla leaves, and green chilies) and the ground sesame seeds into the pot and boil further 1 to 2 mins until they soften. Serve warm with steamed rice.

GAMJATANG (SPICY PORK BONE STEW)

Steps:

• Soak the bones for an hour or longer in cold water. Change the water half way through if you can. Drain.
• Bring a medium pot of water to a boil. Drop the bones in. Let it come back to a boil. This will take about 7 to 8 minutes.
• Drain the bones. Wash the bones under running water. Clean the pot. Return the bones back to the pot. Add 8 cups of water, the onion, garlic, ginger and scallion. Bring it to a boil. Continue to boil, uncovered, for 10 minutes over medium high heat. Reduce the heat to medium low. Continue to boil, covered, for 50 minutes to an hour until the meat is tender and the broth is milky.
• Mix the seasoning ingredients well together.
• Bring a medium pot of water to a rapid boil. Blanch the cabbage until the white parts turn soft, 4 to 5 minutes. Remove the cabbage from the pot (keep the hot water to boil the potatoes) and shock in cold water to stop the cooking. Drain and squeeze out water. Cut into 2 to 3-inch lengths.
• Mix the cabbage well with 1 tablespoon of the seasoning.
• Cut the potatoes in half with the skin on. In the pot of water used to blanch the cabbage, boil the potatoes until almost cooked. Peel the potatoes.
• Remove the meat from the broth. Discard the aromatic vegetables, reserving the broth (about 5 cups). Place the bone back in the pot with the broth. Add the cabbage, potatoes, and the remaining seasoning. Boil for about 10 minutes.
• Throw in the perilla leaves and scallion. Add salt and pepper to taste. Boil for an additional couple of minutes, and then add the crushed perilla seeds.

KOREAN GAMJA TANG ("POTATO STEW")

Steps:

• 1) Soak the bones in cold water for an hour or two to get rid of the residual blood, then drain under cold water. 2) Put the pork bones into a large pot and add enough water to cover. Simmer on medium heat with a mix of garlic, onion, ginger, green onions, black pepper to get rid of the pork smell, cook about 2 hours. The water should reduce from simmering, add more accordingly. Discard any particles of oil and fat that float on top. 3) Drain and rinse the cooked pork bones, discarding the vegetables and removing any excess fatty debris. 4) Prepare the sauce ingredients in a mixing bowl, set aside until ready for use. 5) Add 10~12 cups of fresh water and bring to a boil. Add the sauce and whole potatoes (halved if large) with the pork. Cook on medium heat for 25~30 minutes. 6) When potatoes are soft , include the chopped vegetables to the mix and boil for another 15~20 minutes. 7) Sample the broth and adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper. Adding extra deulkkae garu (perilla seed powder) and gochugaru (red pepper flakes) is also okay. Let the stew simmer for another 10~15 minutes. 8) Serve with warm rice and plenty of banchan (side dishes). *If you want to shave off prep and cooking time, you can skip the soaking of the pork bones and just boil them with the vegetables. Boil the pork bones for an hour (instead of the recommended two) and the meat should still be tender.

GAMJA TANG

Steps:

• Make the broth: In a medium Dutch oven, combine the vegetable broth, ginger, mushrooms, onion, chili, and doenjang. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer until you have a lovely aromatic broth as a base for this stew, 45 minutes to 1 hour.
• Fish out the mushrooms and slice them, then return the slices to the broth.
• Meanwhile, make the sauce: In a small bowl, mix together ½ cup water, the garlic, gochugaru, gochujang, "fishy" sauce, and wild sesame seeds.
• Make the stew: Add the sauce, potatoes, and bean sprouts to the broth and simmer until the potatoes are tender, about 30 minutes.
• Right before serving, add the scallions, perilla leaves, sweet potato vermicelli, and sesame oil.