Spicy and Flavorful! Easy Tuna, Tofu, and Kimchi Stew Recipe
The Secret to a Deeply Savory Tuna, Tofu, and Kimchi Stew
The key to a delicious kimchi stew is, of course, well-fermented kimchi! But did you know there’s another secret that can drastically change the flavor? It’s when you add the tuna – adding it at the beginning versus right at the end makes a world of difference. I’m introducing the most delicious Tuna, Tofu, and Kimchi Stew, made with my special trick. Follow along and enjoy!
Main Ingredients- 400g well-fermented kimchi (cut into bite-sized pieces)
- 2 cans of tuna (drained)
- 1/2 block of firm tofu
- 1 green chili pepper (sliced diagonally)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Hello everyone! Today, I’m sharing a recipe for a hearty and spicy ‘Tuna, Tofu, and Kimchi Stew’ that’s perfect for any weather. I’ll also share some tips for achieving a deep flavor, so pay close attention!
Step 2
First, prepare 400g of well-fermented kimchi. Cut it into bite-sized pieces suitable for stew. Then, open two cans of tuna and drain the oil. You can set the drained oil aside to add extra flavor later!
Step 3
Heat a pot over medium heat and add the chopped kimchi. Stir-fry the kimchi until it becomes translucent and tender. This step is crucial for mellowing the sourness and bringing out the sweetness and umami of the kimchi. Once the kimchi is well stir-fried, add 1 tablespoon of red pepper flakes and quickly mix them with the kimchi. Be careful not to burn the flakes!
Step 4
Now, add the two drained cans of tuna to the stir-fried kimchi. A quick tip: adding the tuna too early can cause the fish to break apart and make the broth cloudy. That’s why we add it after stir-frying the kimchi. Gently mix the tuna with the kimchi.
Step 5
Next, let’s prepare the tofu. Slice half a block of firm tofu into about 0.5cm thick pieces. Lightly oil a frying pan and pan-fry the tofu slices over medium heat until both sides are golden brown. Pan-frying the tofu beforehand prevents it from breaking apart in the stew and gives it a beautiful shape, plus a lovely nutty flavor.
Step 6
Now, add about 3-4 cups of water or anchovy-kelp broth to the pot, enough to cover the kimchi. Bring it to a boil over high heat, then reduce to medium heat and simmer for about 10 minutes to let the kimchi flavor infuse the broth. Once the stew starts bubbling, carefully add the pan-fried tofu. Let it simmer for another short while, and finally, add the diagonally sliced green chili pepper. Simmer for another 1-2 minutes to add a touch of heat and aroma, making it even more delicious.
Step 7
And there you have it! A mouth-watering, delicious Tuna, Tofu, and Kimchi Stew is ready. Enjoy a hearty meal with a bowl of hot rice. The combination of the spicy broth, tender tofu, and savory tuna is simply irresistible.
