Hearty Beef and Squash Soup: A Festive Korean Delicacy
Preparing for the Holidays with Joeun Market: Hearty Beef and Squash Soup featuring Hanwoo Beef Gift Sets
As the Chuseok holiday approaches, preparing a festive table can be a delightful challenge. Today, we’re making ‘So-gogi Bakguk’ (Beef and Squash Soup), a dish often prepared by my mother-in-law and reminiscent of my mother’s cooking. Paired with Joeun Market’s premium Hanwoo beef gift sets, this soup offers a rich and comforting taste of tradition. Enjoy the harmonious blend of tender squash, savory beef, and a milky broth, perfect for creating a warm and cherished holiday atmosphere.
Core Ingredients- Squash (Bak) 250g (cut into bite-sized pieces)
- Beef (for soup) 250g
- Firm Tofu 1/2 block
- Green Chili Pepper 1 (seeds removed, thinly sliced diagonally)
- Red Chili Pepper 1 (seeds removed, thinly sliced diagonally)
- Green Onion 1/2 stalk (thinly sliced diagonally)
- Minced Garlic 1 Tbsp
- Soy Sauce (for soup, Guk-ganjang) 3 Tbsp
- Sesame Oil 2 Tbsp
- Salt (to taste)
- Broth 5 cups (made with anchovies, kelp, dried shrimp, etc.)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Begin by preparing your vegetables. Peel the squash, remove the seeds, and cut it into bite-sized pieces, about 1cm thick. Finely slice the green and red chili peppers diagonally after removing the seeds to add a touch of color. Slice the green onion diagonally for aroma, and mince the garlic. Having all ingredients prepped makes the cooking process much smoother.
Step 2
Cut the beef for the soup into manageable pieces, roughly 2-3 cm. Avoid cutting them too small, as they might break apart during cooking. Ensuring a consistent size will result in a better texture.
Step 3
Heat 2 tablespoons of sesame oil in a deep pot over medium heat. Once the sesame oil is fragrant, add the beef and a pinch of salt for seasoning. Sauté the beef for about 3-5 minutes until it’s lightly browned. This step is crucial for locking in the juices and developing a richer flavor in the broth.
Step 4
Prepare 5 cups of broth using your preferred method (e.g., simmering anchovies, kelp, and dried shrimp). Once the beef is sautéed, carefully pour the hot broth directly over it. Adding hot broth helps to extract more flavor from the beef and speeds up the cooking process. Bring the soup to a boil over high heat.
Step 5
As the broth comes to a boil, use a spoon to skim off any foam or scum that rises to the surface. Removing this impurities will result in a clearer, cleaner-tasting soup.
Step 6
Add the pre-cut squash and tofu to the pot. Cook for about 10-15 minutes, or until the squash becomes tender and slightly translucent. Season the soup with 3 tablespoons of soup soy sauce (Guk-ganjang). Finally, add the sliced green onions, chili peppers, and minced garlic. Simmer for a few more minutes until the flavors meld together. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt if needed. Your delicious Beef and Squash Soup is ready to be enjoyed!
