Korean-style Tofu, Vegetable, and Beef Stew
Photo: Alex Farnum; Styling: Karen Shinto
Time: 50 minutes. This rustic soup, called doenjang jjigae in Korean, is pure comfort in a bowl.
How to Make It
Step 1
1
Toss beef with 1 tsp. each soy sauce and sesame oil and cook, stirring, over medium heat in a small saucepan. Set aside.
Step 2
2
Put stock, 1 tbsp. soy sauce, and 2 tsp. sesame oil in a large, heavy pot. Add fermented soybean paste (if using Japanese red miso instead, add just before serving) and stir to dissolve. Stir in garlic and chiles and bring to a boil, covered.
Step 3
3
Add tofu, cabbage, zucchini, daikon, and two-thirds of the green onions; return to a boil, then lower heat and simmer, covered, until everything is tender, at least 5 minutes. Meanwhile, if using Japanese red miso, whisk with 1/2 cup hot broth. Stir miso broth, remaining green onions, and reserved beef into stew just before serving.
Step 4
4
*Find at Korean markets. Japanese akamiso is available at gourmet grocery stores; you could also use white miso in a pinch.
Step 5
5
Note: Nutritional analysis is per serving.
Ingredients
5 ounces ground beef
1 teaspoon plus 1 tbsp. reduced-sodium soy sauce
3 teaspoons Asian sesame oil, divided
6 cups reduced-sodium beef stock
4 tablespoons Korean fermented soybean paste (doenjang)* or Japanese akamiso (red miso)
2 tablespoons finely chopped garlic
4 dried red chiles, split open
1 pound soft or medium water-packed tofu (not
1 pound napa cabbage, cut into 1/2-in.-thick slices
1/2 pound large yellow zucchini, halved lengthwise and thinly sliced
1/2 cup daikon radish, halved lengthwise and thinly sliced
5 green onions, halved lengthwise and cut into 2-in. pieces
Directions
Step 1
1
Toss beef with 1 tsp. each soy sauce and sesame oil and cook, stirring, over medium heat in a small saucepan. Set aside.
Step 2
2
Put stock, 1 tbsp. soy sauce, and 2 tsp. sesame oil in a large, heavy pot. Add fermented soybean paste (if using Japanese red miso instead, add just before serving) and stir to dissolve. Stir in garlic and chiles and bring to a boil, covered.
Step 3
3
Add tofu, cabbage, zucchini, daikon, and two-thirds of the green onions; return to a boil, then lower heat and simmer, covered, until everything is tender, at least 5 minutes. Meanwhile, if using Japanese red miso, whisk with 1/2 cup hot broth. Stir miso broth, remaining green onions, and reserved beef into stew just before serving.
Step 4
4
*Find at Korean markets. Japanese akamiso is available at gourmet grocery stores; you could also use white miso in a pinch.
Step 5
5
Note: Nutritional analysis is per serving.
