Spicy & Sweet Pork and Zucchini Stew (Ae-hobak Jjigae)
Flavorful Pork and Zucchini Stew with a Deliciously Sweet Broth!
Enjoy a hearty and satisfying evening meal with this Pork and Zucchini Stew, featuring the sweet and slightly spicy flavor of zucchini that has beautifully infused the broth! Perfect for a comforting dinner. (Source: Sesangui Moden Recipe, Man-eui Recipe)
Stew Ingredients- 1/2 medium zucchini (sliced into 0.7cm thick half-moons)
- 1/2 medium onion (sliced into strips)
- 1 stalk large green onion (sliced diagonally)
- 1/2 block firm tofu (cut into 1.5cm cubes)
- 200g pork shoulder (cut into bite-sized pieces)
- 1/2 Korean green chili pepper (sliced diagonally, optional for extra spice)
- 1/2 Korean red chili pepper (sliced diagonally, for color)
- 3 cups anchovy-kelp broth (standard paper cup measurement)
Seasoning Ingredients- 1.5 Tbsp gochujang (Korean chili paste)
- 1 Tbsp gochugaru (Korean chili flakes)
- 0.5 Tbsp minced garlic
- 1 Tbsp soup soy sauce (adjust to taste)
Pork Marinating Ingredients- 1 Tbsp cooking wine (mirin or sake)
- Pinch of salt
- Pinch of black pepper
- 1.5 Tbsp gochujang (Korean chili paste)
- 1 Tbsp gochugaru (Korean chili flakes)
- 0.5 Tbsp minced garlic
- 1 Tbsp soup soy sauce (adjust to taste)
Pork Marinating Ingredients- 1 Tbsp cooking wine (mirin or sake)
- Pinch of salt
- Pinch of black pepper
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, prepare all the vegetables. Slice the zucchini and onion into similar sizes, and cut the tofu into 1.5cm cubes. Slice the green onions and chili peppers diagonally for a nice presentation.
Step 2
In a bowl, combine the pork shoulder with 1 Tbsp cooking wine, a pinch of salt, and a pinch of black pepper. Gently mix to marinate for about 10 minutes. This step helps remove any gamey smell from the pork and makes it more tender.
Step 3
Heat a little oil in a pot over medium heat. Add the marinated pork and stir-fry until the surface is lightly browned. Cooking the pork slowly over medium heat ensures it’s cooked through and tender.
Step 4
Once the pork is browned, add the seasoning ingredients (1.5 Tbsp gochujang, 1 Tbsp gochugaru, 0.5 Tbsp minced garlic, 1 Tbsp soup soy sauce) to the pot. Stir-fry with the pork for about 1 minute to allow the seasonings to coat the meat and develop a deeper flavor. Then, pour in 3 cups of anchovy-kelp broth and bring to a boil over high heat.
Step 5
When the broth comes to a rolling boil, add the sliced zucchini and onion. Reduce the heat to medium, cover the pot, and let it simmer for about 10 minutes, or until the zucchini and onion are tender. The vegetables will release their sweetness into the broth.
Step 6
Finally, add the cubed tofu, sliced green onions, and chili peppers. Let it simmer for a few more minutes until the tofu is heated through and the vegetables are still slightly crisp. Turn off the heat, and your delicious Pork and Zucchini Stew is ready to be served! Enjoy with a hot bowl of rice.
