Braised Potatoes (Gamja Jorim)
Making Nostalgic Braised Potatoes
This recipe brings back memories of childhood with its savory and slightly sweet braised potatoes. Cooking in an earthenware pot (ttukbaegi) instead of a regular pot imparts a deeper flavor and a subtle smoky essence, making the dish even more delicious. Follow these simple steps for a comforting and satisfying meal.
Main Ingredients- 4 potatoes (medium-sized)
- 1/2 onion
- 1 Korean green chili pepper
Seasoning- 1 Tbsp gochujang (Korean chili paste)
- 1/3 Tbsp doenjang (Korean soybean paste)
- 1.5 Tbsp gochugaru (Korean chili flakes)
- 2 Tbsp soy sauce
- 1 Tbsp maesilcheong (plum syrup)
- 1/3 Tbsp sugar
- 1 Tbsp sesame oil
- Pinch of black pepper
- 1 Tbsp gochujang (Korean chili paste)
- 1/3 Tbsp doenjang (Korean soybean paste)
- 1.5 Tbsp gochugaru (Korean chili flakes)
- 2 Tbsp soy sauce
- 1 Tbsp maesilcheong (plum syrup)
- 1/3 Tbsp sugar
- 1 Tbsp sesame oil
- Pinch of black pepper
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, peel the potatoes and wash them thoroughly under running water. For this recipe, about 4 medium-sized potatoes are ideal for cooking in an earthenware pot.
Step 2
Cut the prepared potatoes into bite-sized pieces. Slice the onion thinly and thinly slice the Korean green chili pepper. Prepare these ingredients together. You can adjust the amount of chili pepper to your spice preference.
Step 3
In a large bowl, combine the cut potatoes, onion, and green chili pepper. Add all the seasoning ingredients: 1.5 Tbsp gochujang, 1/3 Tbsp doenjang, 1.5 Tbsp gochugaru, 2 Tbsp soy sauce, 1 Tbsp maesilcheong, 1/3 Tbsp sugar, 1/2 Tbsp sesame oil, and a pinch of black pepper. (Note: While the original recipe states 1 Tbsp sesame oil, it’s recommended to use 1/2 Tbsp here and add the remaining 1/2 Tbsp at the end for a total of 1 Tbsp).
Step 4
Gently mix all the ingredients and seasonings with your hands until well combined. It’s important to ensure the seasoning coats the potatoes evenly.
Step 5
Now, prepare your earthenware pot. Lightly oil the bottom of the pot (with sesame oil or cooking oil). Add the seasoned potatoes and sauté them until they are slightly golden brown. Once lightly sautéed, cover the pot with a lid and simmer over medium heat for 2 minutes.
Step 6
Remove the lid and add water, matching the volume of the potatoes (a 1:1 ratio). Once the water comes to a boil, continue to cook for another 2 minutes. Then, cover the pot again, reduce the heat to low (from medium), and let it simmer gently.
Step 7
Continue to cook over low heat until the sauce thickens and reduces. Check the potatoes by piercing them with a chopstick; cook until tender and the sauce reaches your desired consistency. Once the potatoes are fully cooked and have absorbed the flavors, turn off the heat.
Step 8
Transfer the delicious braised potatoes to a serving dish. Enjoy this comforting meal with a bowl of hot rice!
