Kimchi jjiggae, Kimchi stew, 김치찌개

 

Kimchi jjiggae  is one of the most popular all the stews in Korean cuisine and is made from mature kimchi, tofu, and meat or seafood. It is a warm, hearty, spicy and savory dish. When ever we were out eating korean bbq we often got a bowl of this stew and a bowl of rice at the end of the meal.

There are many variations of this dish as each household uses their own favorite ingredients.

This is my version and I used what I had available.
It is not always easy to make Korean food in Norway although many immigrant stores are pretty well stocked with exotic food, but Korean products are sadly scares.
I was out of gochujang, so I have replaced it with something called kimchi base that I have found in one of the local immigrant shops.

400 g thinly cut rib eye or the type of meat you want to use
1 tablespoon sesame oil
5 dl kimchi
0.5 dl kimchi brine
1/2 chopped onion
2 cloves crushed garlic
1 tbsp gochujang/kimchi base
1-2 tsp gochugaru or cayenne pepper
7.5 dl water
1/2 package tofu
2 sliced scallions

In a heavy bottomed saute the beef, garlic and the onions, when the onions are glossy add kimchi and keep sauteing until the mixture is very fragrant.

Add the kimchi juice, water, chili paste, chili flakes and drizzle sesame oil, stir everything together to combine.

Bring to a boil and taste for spiciness, adjust with gochugaru to increase the heat to where you want it. Add the tofu, turn down the heat to a simmer and let it cook for 15-20 minutes, or until the beef and kimchi are tender.

When you’re ready to serve the kimchi jjiggae, add the green onions. Put the pot on the tablet and serve it with rice.