Mussel and Radish Rice with Abalone Doenjang Stew
Mom’s Home Cooking in 30 Minutes! Hearty Mussel and Radish Rice & Rich Abalone Doenjang Stew
Enjoy a nutritious meal made with mom’s authentic touch, ready in just 30 minutes! After 7 years of living alone, the hustle and bustle of daily life often meant skipping meals, leaving me longing for the warmth of home-cooked food. One day, while browsing the market, I discovered fresh, seasonal mussels and abalone at a great price. This sparked an idea: ‘How can busy people enjoy delicious, homemade meals like their moms used to make?’ I developed this recipe for ‘Mussel and Radish Rice’ and ‘Abalone Doenjang Stew’ using common refrigerator ingredients (onions, zucchini, chili peppers, etc.) for a quick and healthy meal. My hope is that this recipe brings a more fulfilling and bountiful dining experience to solo diners and those who eat alone.
Hearty Mussel and Radish Rice Ingredients- 20 fresh mussels
- 1/3 Korean radish (mu)
- 2 cups rice
- 2 cups dried kelp stock (dashima water)
Nutritious Abalone Doenjang Stew Ingredients- 1 abalone
- 1/3 zucchini
- 2 shiitake mushrooms
- 1/2 onion
- 2 stalks green onion
- 1 Korean green chili pepper (cheongyang chili)
Flavorful Abalone Doenjang Stew Seasoning- 3 Tbsp doenjang (Korean soybean paste)
- 1 Tbsp gochugaru (Korean chili flakes)
- 1 tsp dried anchovy powder
- 2 cloves minced garlic
- 1 tsp toasted sesame seeds
- 150ml dried kelp stock (dashima water)
- 1 abalone
- 1/3 zucchini
- 2 shiitake mushrooms
- 1/2 onion
- 2 stalks green onion
- 1 Korean green chili pepper (cheongyang chili)
Flavorful Abalone Doenjang Stew Seasoning- 3 Tbsp doenjang (Korean soybean paste)
- 1 Tbsp gochugaru (Korean chili flakes)
- 1 tsp dried anchovy powder
- 2 cloves minced garlic
- 1 tsp toasted sesame seeds
- 150ml dried kelp stock (dashima water)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
1. Prepare the mussels: Scrub the mussel shells thoroughly to remove any dirt or debris. Trim off the tough, dark beards.
2. Slice the radish: Cut the Korean radish into approximately 1cm thick slices.
Step 2
1. Make mussel broth: In a pot, combine the prepared mussels, 1/4 of the sliced radish, 1/2 onion, 2 green onions, 1 cheongyang chili pepper, 1/2 shiitake mushroom, 500ml of water, and 1 Tbsp salt. Bring to a boil to create a flavorful mussel broth. Once boiled, remove the mussels and set aside their meat separately.
2. (Tip!) Using mussel broth adds a deep umami flavor to both the rice and the stew.
Step 3
1. Cook the rice: In an electric rice cooker, add the 2 cups of washed rice. Layer the sliced radish on top of the rice, followed by the reserved mussel meat. Pour in the 2 cups of kelp stock.
2. Start cooking: Close the rice cooker lid and simply press the ‘cook’ button. While the rice is cooking, let’s prepare the delicious doenjang stew!
Step 4
1. Prepare the abalone: Lightly sprinkle the abalone with salt and scrub it clean with a soft brush. Rinse under running water and pat dry with a paper towel. Using the back of a spoon, carefully slide it between the abalone meat and shell, starting from the head, to separate them. Be cautious not to burst the internal organs.
2. Prepare the vegetables: Dice the zucchini, shiitake mushrooms, and onion into approximately 1cm cubes. Finely chop the green onions and cheongyang chili pepper. Mince the garlic.
Step 5
1. Sauté the vegetables: Heat a little cooking oil in a pot over medium heat. Add the diced zucchini, shiitake mushrooms, and onion, and sauté until fragrant.
2. Simmer the stew: Once the vegetables are slightly tender, add the prepared abalone and stir-fry until about half-cooked. Then, add 3 Tbsp doenjang, 1 Tbsp gochugaru, 1 tsp dried anchovy powder, 2 cloves minced garlic, and 150ml of kelp stock. Simmer over medium-low heat until the stew thickens slightly.
Step 6
1. Finished look: The abalone doenjang stew, with its chewy abalone and assorted vegetables, is simmering beautifully. (This step visually showcases the finished dish, reiterating the components from the previous step.)
Step 7
1. Enjoy your meal: The chewy abalone doenjang stew is incredibly versatile! Serve it with blanched cabbage or pumpkin leaves, along with rice, for a satisfying meal. Enjoy this hearty dish alongside your warm Mussel and Radish Rice.
