Hearty and Refreshing Snow Crab Doenjang Jjigae Recipe
How to Prepare Seasonal Snow Crabs and Cook Delicious Doenjang Jjigae
Discover the ultimate recipe for Snow Crab Doenjang Jjigae, a delightful fusion of fresh, seasonal snow crabs and savory soybean paste. This guide provides detailed instructions on preparing the crabs, brewing a rich broth, and simmering the perfect jjigae. Get ready for a comforting and satisfying home-cooked meal!
Ingredients- 1 packet Dadam Jjigae Seasoning (or 2-3 Tbsp commercial doenjang)
- 3 fresh seasonal snow crabs
- 1 block firm tofu (approx. 300g)
- ½ medium zucchini
- 800ml (approx. 4 cups) rice water
- 1 Tbsp homemade or commercial doenjang (for added depth)
- 1 Tbsp fine gochugaru (Korean chili flakes)
- 2 Tbsp chopped green onion
- 1 Tbsp minced garlic
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, let’s prepare the fresh snow crabs. Use a brush to scrub away any dirt from the crab’s shell. Rinse thoroughly under cold running water multiple times to ensure all impurities are removed. This step is crucial for a clean taste.
Step 2
Now, let’s get the crabs ready to maximize their delicious flavor. Separate the body from the legs. Open the body and carefully remove the gills and the triangular stomach sac (sand sac) using scissors; these can be unpleasant to eat. Cut each crab into about 4 bite-sized pieces. We’ll also add the separated crab shells to the pot while simmering to extract even more flavor for the broth.
Step 3
Let’s create the rich and refreshing broth for our doenjang jjigae! The secret to eliminating any fishiness and enhancing the umami is using rice water. Rice water creates a smoother texture and amplifies the natural flavors of the ingredients. When cooking with a generous amount of crab, like today, rice water alone is sufficient to create a deep and delicious broth that will make you want to eat bowls and bowls of rice.
Step 4
Prepare the additional ingredients for the stew. Slice the zucchini into half-moons or cubes about 1cm thick. Dice the tofu into similar-sized cubes as the zucchini. If you prefer a spicier kick, thinly slice some Korean green chili peppers (cheongyang peppers) after removing the seeds. This will add a wonderful touch of heat.
Step 5
Now, let’s start cooking the jjigae! Pour the prepared rice water into a pot. Stir in the Dadam Jjigae Seasoning (or your chosen doenjang), minced garlic, and gochugaru, ensuring they dissolve well. Once the water begins to boil, add the prepared snow crabs and their shells. As it simmers, skim off any foam that rises to the surface; this process helps to achieve a cleaner and clearer taste.
Step 6
Once the crab has released its delicious flavor into the broth, add the prepared zucchini and tofu. Finally, stir in the chopped green onions and 1 tablespoon of gochujang. Let it simmer until everything is well combined and the stew comes to a rolling boil again. Your delicious Snow Crab Doenjang Jjigae is now ready! The savory doenjang aroma mixed with the fresh seafood scent is truly mouthwatering.
Step 7
Voila! Your appetizing Snow Crab Doenjang Jjigae is complete. Can you see how delicious it looks? The plump crab meat is incredibly inviting. The combination of the savory doenjang broth and tender crab meat is a flavor explosion. Eating a spoonful of rice drenched in this broth is pure bliss. My family members, who particularly love the tofu in this stew, raved about how delicious it was. Even the children enjoyed it so much that they ate two bowls of rice with just this jjigae, without touching other side dishes. It’s truly a satisfying home-cooked meal that the whole family loves.
