Spinach Doenjang Soup: A Healthy and Delicious Recipe
Soothing and Refreshing Spinach Doenjang Soup – Perfect with a Bowl of Rice!
Who else but Koreans would describe a piping hot bowl of soup as ‘refreshing’? This is truly a wonderfully invigorating Spinach Doenjang Soup! I’m currently taking medication for high cholesterol, and a side effect(?) of this medicine is that it depletes my magnesium levels significantly. It’s generally better to get magnesium from food rather than high-potency supplements to avoid side effects, so I decided to make Spinach Doenjang Soup. Enjoy the delightful combination of deep doenjang flavor and fresh spinach!
Ingredients- 100g fresh spinach
- 100g soft tofu
- 1 Tbsp doenjang (Korean soybean paste)
- 5g dried kelp (dashima)
- 1 tsp dried anchovy powder
- 1 tsp dried shrimp powder
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Let’s start by making a flavorful broth. In 600ml of water, add 5g of dried kelp, a piece of radish, and 1 tsp of dried anchovy powder. Simmer for about 10 minutes to create the broth. This amount is for 2 servings, and since the water reduces while simmering, 600ml is the perfect starting volume.
Step 2
When the broth comes to a rolling boil, you’ll see white foam floating on the surface. It’s best to skim this off for a cleaner taste. Once skimmed, reduce the heat to low and let it simmer for another 5 minutes to deepen the flavor of the broth.
Step 3
Remove the kelp and radish pieces from the broth. Now, dissolve 1 Tbsp of doenjang into the broth. Since the saltiness of doenjang can vary between brands, it’s wise to start with a smaller amount and adjust the seasoning to your preference.
Step 4
Dice 100g of soft tofu into bite-sized pieces, about 1.5cm cubes, and add them to the pot.
Step 5
Next, add 1 tsp of dried shrimp powder for an extra layer of umami. If you have whole dried shrimp, you can also add those directly to the soup for a wonderful savory flavor.
Step 6
Now, let everything simmer and meld together. Allow the soup to gently boil, letting the flavors of all the ingredients combine beautifully.
Step 7
Once the soup returns to a boil, add the thoroughly washed spinach. After adding the spinach, gently ladle some of the hot broth over it. This helps the spinach cook quickly and evenly, preserving its fresh, crisp texture.
Step 8
Voila! Your delicious Spinach Doenjang Soup is ready. A spoonful of this warm, comforting soup will surely melt away the day’s fatigue. Enjoy your meal!
