Spicy Sausage and Bean Sprout Stew: The Ultimate Rice Companion
Baek Jong-won’s Sausage and Bean Sprout Stew Recipe
Introducing Baek Jong-won’s recipe for Sausage and Bean Sprout Stew, a dish guaranteed to become a staple in your home cooking! The spicy, savory sauce perfectly coats the sausages and bean sprouts, creating a flavor explosion that makes you reach for bowl after bowl of rice. It’s a fantastic side dish that pairs wonderfully with simple additions like dried seaweed (gim) or a fried egg for a complete meal.
Main Ingredients- 300g fresh bean sprouts
- 150g Vienna sausages
- 0.5 medium onion
- 1 bunch green onions
- 200ml water
- 1 Tbsp sesame oil
Spicy Seasoning Sauce- 2 Tbsp gochujang (Korean chili paste)
- 2 Tbsp gochugaru (Korean chili flakes)
- 2-3 Tbsp soy sauce (adjust to taste)
- 1 Tbsp plum extract (or corn syrup/oligosaccharide)
- 1 Tbsp minced garlic
- 1 Tbsp mirin (rice wine for cooking)
- A pinch of black pepper
- 2 Tbsp gochujang (Korean chili paste)
- 2 Tbsp gochugaru (Korean chili flakes)
- 2-3 Tbsp soy sauce (adjust to taste)
- 1 Tbsp plum extract (or corn syrup/oligosaccharide)
- 1 Tbsp minced garlic
- 1 Tbsp mirin (rice wine for cooking)
- A pinch of black pepper
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Begin by thoroughly washing the bean sprouts under running water and draining them well. It’s important to wash them properly to ensure a clean, fresh taste.
Step 2
For this dish, Vienna sausages, bean sprouts, onion, and green onions are sufficient to create a delicious meal. If you prefer a spicier kick, feel free to add 1-2 chopped Cheongyang chilies (Korean hot peppers) to the mix!
Step 3
If you wish to remove any additives or reduce the inherent saltiness of the sausages, you can blanch them in boiling water for about 30 seconds. This will result in a cleaner flavor. To help the sauce penetrate better, make cross-shaped cuts on the sausages.
Step 4
Now, let’s prepare the flavor-packed seasoning sauce for the bean sprout stew. Since the sausages will release some saltiness as they cook, it’s best to start with a moderate amount of soy sauce and adjust it later while simmering. Feel free to tailor the sweet and savory balance to your personal preference. This seasoning ratio is based on Baek Jong-won’s original recipe, slightly adjusted to suit my taste.
Step 5
Heat 1 tablespoon of cooking oil in a pan over medium heat. Add the scored Vienna sausages and sauté them until they are lightly browned and fragrant.
Step 6
Once the cuts on the sausages start to open up slightly, pour in 200ml of water. Let it simmer to create a flavorful broth from the sausages.
Step 7
As the water comes to a boil, add the prepared onion, washed bean sprouts, green onions, and the prepared seasoning sauce all at once to the pan. This simple process makes for an incredibly satisfying dish! To prevent any ‘fishy’ smell from the bean sprouts, it’s recommended to cook this step with the lid off.
Step 8
Stir everything together gently to distribute the sauce evenly. Cook until the bean sprouts and onions are tender yet still have a slight crispness. You can adjust the seasoning by adding more soy sauce or a pinch of salt if needed. Once cooked, turn off the heat and stir in about 0.5 tablespoon of sesame oil for a final touch of nutty aroma. Be mindful not to add too much sesame oil, as it can make the dish feel greasy.
