D is for Doen Jang Chigae: Korean Bean Paste Stew

by Stefania Butler, Posted Jan 18th 2006 @ 2:05PM

In my family, whenever anyone was sick or when a wintery day was particularly chilly, my mom would make Doen Jang Chigae. It is spicy, savory, and comforting all at the same time. It's a stew that is best described as "cranked up" miso soup. Chigae has a soybean paste base like miso soup, but the paste is stronger-tasting and more fermented. And Koreans add chilies and garlic to turn up the flavor and intensity.

There are as many ways to make doen jang chigae as there are people who make it, but the basic technique is the same. The paste is dissolved in a seafood-based broth and garlic, chilis, veggies, and tofu are added. At Brother's Korean restaurant in San Francisco, if you order enough items, the owner will often bring you a sizzling pot of Doen Jang Chigae on the house.

Doen Jang Chigae (adapted from Cookery Art)

10 dried anchovies
3 cups water
1 block of firm tofu
1 jalapeño or serrano pepper
1 green onion
1 medium zucchini
1 tsp sesame seed oil
4 Tbs of chopped garlic
4 Tbs of chopped onion
1 oz of ground beef
4 Tbs of Doen Jang (soy bean) paste
1 Tbs of Kochu Jang (red bean paste)

Directions:
1. Put 3 cups of water in a pot and boil with anchovies for about thirty minutes. Take out anchovies. Set aside anchovy broth.
2. Cut tofu into 1 X 1 X 1/2 inch pieces, and cut de-seeded chili pepper into 1/2 thick pieces, diagonally.
3. Cut zucchini into half circles, 1/4 inch thick. pieces. Chop green onion into 1/2 long pieces.
4. In another pot, stir chopped onion and garlic with a teaspoon of sesame seed oil.
5. Add ground beef and Doen Jang paste and stir until beef is cooked.
6. Add anchovy water and boil.
7. Add chili pepper, and red bean paste.
8. Add zucchini and boil for about five minutes. Add tofu and boil about two minutes. Add green onion before serving. Serves 2-3.

Filed Under: Brought to you by the letter D, How To
Tags: asia, dinner, doen jang chigae. Korean bean paste stew, DoenJangChigae.KoreanBeanPasteStew, west coast