Spicy and Refreshing Zucchini Gochujang Stew
A tantalizingly spicy and savory zucchini gochujang stew! On chilly days like these, a warm bowl of stew is all you need to clear your plate. Introducing a delightful stew that’s easy to make and will become a family favorite.
Here’s a magical ‘Zucchini Gochujang Stew’ that makes a bowl of rice disappear in no time when mixed with hot rice. It boasts a fantastic flavor profile where the richness of pork, the sweetness of zucchini and potatoes, and the spiciness of gochujang harmoniously blend. It’s perfect for elevating your everyday meals, not just special occasions.
Stew Ingredients
- 90g Pork Neck or Shoulder
- Pinch of salt
- Pinch of black pepper
- 0.5 Tbsp Gochujang (Korean red chili paste)
- 1/4 Onion
- 1 Potato
- 1/4 Zucchini
- 350ml Anchovy-Kelp Broth
- 0.5 Tbsp Minced Garlic
- 0.5 Tbsp Gochugaru (Korean red chili flakes)
- 0.5 Tbsp Saeujeot (fermented salted shrimp)
- 0.5 Tbsp Cheongju (rice wine)
- 1 Korean Green Chili Pepper
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, prepare 90g of pork neck or shoulder. Lightly season the pork with salt and black pepper. This seasoning helps to remove any gamey odor and makes the pork more flavorful. Lightly oil a pan and sauté the pork over medium heat until golden brown.
Step 2
Once the pork is somewhat cooked, add 0.5 Tbsp of gochujang and stir-fry it with the pork. Reduce the heat to low to prevent the gochujang from burning and stir-fry for about 1 minute until the pork and gochujang are well combined. Stir-frying like this deepens the flavor of the gochujang and significantly enhances the stew’s broth.
Step 3
Transfer the well-stir-fried pork to a plate. Setting the pork aside helps it maintain its shape and texture when added back into the stew later, preventing it from breaking apart.
Step 4
Now, prepare the vegetables for the stew. Dice the 1/4 onion, 1 potato, and 1/4 zucchini into approximately 1.5cm cubes. Cutting the vegetables into uniform sizes ensures they cook at the same rate and look appealing.
Step 5
Place the stir-fried pork into a ttukbaegi (earthenware pot). Cooking the stew in a ttukbaegi allows it to retain heat for a long time, keeping the stew warm and delicious.
Step 6
Pour in 350ml of anchovy-kelp broth. Using broth, rather than plain water, creates a much deeper and more refreshing flavor. If anchovy-kelp broth is unavailable, you can use rice water or store-bought broth.
Step 7
Once the broth begins to boil, add the diced zucchini and onion first. Zucchini and onion cook relatively quickly, so it’s best to add them early.
Step 8
Now, add the seasoning ingredients to enhance the stew’s flavor. Include 0.5 Tbsp minced garlic, 0.5 Tbsp gochugaru, 0.5 Tbsp saeujeot, 0.5 Tbsp cheongju (rice wine), and a pinch of black pepper. Saeujeot adds umami and saltiness, while cheongju effectively removes the pork’s gamey odor.
Step 9
When the stew returns to a rolling boil, add the diced potatoes. Potatoes take a bit longer to cook, so it’s advisable to add them after the zucchini and onion have softened slightly.
Step 10
Reduce the heat to medium and simmer for about 7 minutes until the potatoes are tender. Near the end of cooking, add 1 finely chopped Korean green chili pepper. Adding green chilies provides a spicy kick and makes the stew more refreshing.
Step 11
Once all the ingredients are cooked through and the broth has a rich flavor, your delicious Zucchini Gochujang Stew is ready!
Step 12
The finished stew has a wonderfully refreshing and spicy broth. The deep flavor of the pork, the sweetness of the vegetables, and the piquancy of the gochujang create a fantastic harmony.
Step 13
On chilly days like these, a warm bowl of Zucchini Gochujang Stew is enough to make a bowl of rice disappear quickly. It promises a satisfying and delicious meal.
Step 14
Spoon a generous amount of Zucchini Gochujang Stew over hot rice and mix. It’s such a ‘rice thief’ that you won’t even think about other side dishes. Its deliciousness will naturally make you want a second bowl of rice.
Step 15
The preparation process is very easy and simple, and it doesn’t take long to cook, making it a stress-free dish even on busy days. How about serving this delicious Zucchini Gochujang Stew on your table tonight?
Step 16
You can make a delicious stew with just common ingredients like zucchini and potatoes, which are usually found at home, without needing any special items. It’s so simple and delicious that you’re bound to succeed. Be sure to try making this Zucchini Gochujang Stew!
