Hearty Pork Jjageuli Stew Recipe
Spicy and Flavorful Pork Jjageuli Stew: A Perfect Dinner Recommendation for Chilly Weather
This stew has a comforting taste that’s perfect for when the cool breeze starts to blow.
Main Ingredients- 100g Pork
- 1/2 Zucchini
- 1/2 Onion
- Mushrooms (Shiitake or others), as needed
- Small piece of Tofu
- 6 cups Broth or Water
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, prepare a broth to add depth of flavor to your jjageuli. A simple broth made with dried kelp and anchovies is sufficient. If you don’t have broth, you can use plain water. This broth will make the jjageuli even richer.
Step 2
Next, prepare your vegetables by chopping them into bite-sized pieces. Feel free to use whatever vegetables you have on hand. Even without zucchini, you can make a delicious stew with just onions. I used dried shiitake mushrooms; rehydrating them adds a wonderful aroma. Dried shiitake mushrooms are convenient to store and very useful to have for cooking.
Step 3
Lightly grease a heated pot and add the pork. Stir-fry the pork until it turns white to bring out its flavor. If you plan to add potatoes, sauté them along with the pork at this stage. Adding potatoes will make the jjageuli even more filling.
Step 4
Once the pork is partially cooked, add all the prepared vegetables to the pot and stir-fry them together. As the vegetables cook with the oil, their natural sweetness will be released.
Step 5
Now, pour in the prepared broth or 6 cups of water, cover with a lid, and let it simmer gently over medium heat. This allows the natural sweetness of the vegetables to infuse into the soup. This step helps the flavors of the ingredients meld together for a deeper taste.
Step 6
When the vegetables and pork are tender and cooked through, add 1 tablespoon of gochujang and 1 tablespoon of minced garlic to enhance the stew’s flavor. Stir well to dissolve the seasonings.
Step 7
The key to the jjageuli’s savory taste is seasoning with saeujeot! Add 1 tablespoon of saeujeot to adjust the saltiness. If it’s not salty enough, gradually add more saeujeot to your preference. The unique, deep umami of saeujeot will elevate the stew’s taste.
Step 8
Finally, add the cubed tofu and chopped green onions, cover the pot, and let it cook for a few minutes with residual heat. Once the tofu is heated through and the green onions have released their fragrance, your delicious pork jjageuli is ready! Enjoy it with a warm bowl of rice.
