Hearty and Delicious Spam and Tofu Jjigae (Stew)
Easy Spam and Tofu Jjigae Recipe Using Ingredients from Your Fridge
If you have Spam or canned tuna from gift sets, or leftover vegetables in your fridge, make a fantastic meal with this recipe! This spicy and deeply flavored Spam and Tofu Jjigae is a perfect match for rice. We’ll be following Chef Kim Dae-seok’s recipe to make it simple and delicious.
Main Ingredients- Spam 200g (about 1/2 can)
- Tofu 300g (1 block)
- Potato 1 (medium size)
- Onion 1/2 (medium size)
- Zucchini 1/2 (medium size)
- Green onion 1/2 stalk
- Cheongyang pepper (Korean chili pepper) 2 (adjust to spice preference)
Seasoning Ingredients- Cooking oil 1/2 Tbsp
- Chili oil 2 Tbsp
- Minced garlic 1 Tbsp
- Soy sauce 3 Tbsp
- Sugar 1 Tbsp (heaping, leveled off)
- Water 1.5 cups (approx. 300ml)
- Anchovy sauce 1 Tbsp (or soup soy sauce)
- Cooking oil 1/2 Tbsp
- Chili oil 2 Tbsp
- Minced garlic 1 Tbsp
- Soy sauce 3 Tbsp
- Sugar 1 Tbsp (heaping, leveled off)
- Water 1.5 cups (approx. 300ml)
- Anchovy sauce 1 Tbsp (or soup soy sauce)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, peel the potato, wash it thoroughly, and cut it into approximately 1.5cm cubes. Cutting them to a uniform size will help them cook evenly.
Step 2
Dice the onion into similar-sized pieces as the potato, about 1.5cm cubes, and set aside.
Step 3
Cut the zucchini into 1.5cm cubes, the same size as the potato. Be careful not to cut them too small, as they might become mushy during cooking.
Step 4
Prepare the block of tofu (300g) by cutting it into 1.5cm cubes, similar to the vegetables. Let it drain for a moment. Handle the tofu gently when cubing to prevent it from breaking apart.
Step 5
For the Spam (200g, about half a can), briefly blanch it in hot running water for about 30 seconds. This helps reduce its saltiness and remove excess fat. After draining, dice the Spam into 1.5cm cubes, matching the size of the prepared vegetables.
Step 6
Now, let’s start sautéing. Heat 1/2 Tbsp of cooking oil in a pot or deep pan. Add the cubed potatoes and onions and sauté over medium heat for 2-3 minutes, until the potatoes begin to turn translucent.
Step 7
Once the onions start to turn golden brown, reduce the heat to low. Add 2 Tbsp of chili oil, 1 Tbsp of minced garlic, and 3 Tbsp of soy sauce. Sauté for about 1 minute, stirring to release the aromas. Be careful not to burn the seasonings.
Step 8
Add the diced Spam (200g), half zucchini, 2 Cheongyang peppers (adjust to your spice preference), and 1 Tbsp of sugar (leveled off, not heaped). Stir-fry for another minute, ensuring all ingredients are well coated with the seasoned mixture. This step helps meld the savory flavor of the Spam with the sweetness of the vegetables.
Step 9
Pour 1.5 cups (approx. 300ml) of water into the pot, being careful as it may splatter. Scrape the bottom of the pot to incorporate any stuck seasonings into the liquid.
Step 10
Cover the pot with a lid and bring to a rolling boil over high heat for 3 minutes. The liquid will start to reduce as the ingredients cook.
Step 11
After 3 minutes, gently add the cubed tofu and 1 Tbsp of anchovy sauce. Cover the pot again and simmer for another 3 minutes. Stir carefully to avoid breaking the tofu. Finally, add the chopped green onions and simmer briefly to finish. Your delicious Spam and Tofu Jjigae is ready! Serve it over hot rice and enjoy.
