Spicy Kimchi Tofu Mushroom Soup Food

KIMCHI JJIGAE (KOREAN KIMCHI SOUP)

Steps:

• Cut up vegetables, kimchi and tofu and set aside.
• Rinse meat, cut into thin strips 1-2" long.
• Marinate meat in rice wine with two pinches black pepper for 15 minutes (you can use your stew pot for this).
• Meanwhile, add vegetable oil to pan or wok and cook kimchi on medium-high until done (usually 5-7 minutes). Stir consistently. Kimchi will turn slightly translucent.
• In a separate bowl, combine soup base ingredients and mash together.
• Add vegetables, kimchi, soup base and water to the pot with the meat, leaving out the tofu. Use kimchi juice as part of the water if extracted.
• Bring to a boil; leave on a rolling boil until meat is cooked or about 5 minutes, being careful not to let water boil away.
• Taste soup for adjustments; add water as needed, or make extra soup base if needed.
• As soon as the meat is done, turn the heat down to low, add the tofu slices.
• Stir gently, serve with rice (your mouth will be hot -- I like to use rice that is room-temp!).

KIMCHI JJIGAE (KIMCHI SOUP)

Steps:

• Put pork belly in a bowl. Add garlic, ginger, soy sauce, sesame oil and fish sauce. Toss well to coat and let marinate for 10 minutes.
• Set a heavy-bottomed soup pot over medium heat. Melt butter, then add pork belly mixture and let it cook gently for 5 minutes. Add onion and cook, stirring, until softened, about 5 minutes. Turn heat to medium high and add kimchi, gochujang and gochugaru. Let mixture simmer for 2 minutes.
• Add kimchi juice and water (or broth, if using) and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to a brisk simmer and cook for 20 minutes. Taste broth and adjust seasoning.
• Just before serving, add tofu and stir gently to combine. When tofu is heated through, ladle into bowls and garnish with scallions.

TOFU MUSHROOM SOUP

Steps:

• Place dried mushrooms in a bowl or large heatproof measuring cup and cover with 2 cups boiling water. Let sit for 30 minutes. If mushrooms are sandy, agitate from time to time. Line a strainer with cheesecloth and place over a 1-quart measuring cup. Drain through the strainer, then twist mushrooms in the cheesecloth, holding them over the strainer, to squeeze out the last of the flavorful liquid. Discard reconstituted mushrooms or set aside for another use.
• While porcinis are soaking, pull tough stems away from shiitake mushroom caps. Slice caps thin and set aside.
• Combine the mushroom broth with enough water to make 9 cups liquid and place in a saucepan or soup pot. Add shiitake stems, quartered button or cremini mushrooms, halved head of garlic, salt and ginger slices, and bring to a boil. Reduce heat, cover and simmer 30 minutes.
• Use a slotted spoon or skimmer to remove mushrooms, stems, garlic and ginger from broth. Add soy sauce to broth. Taste and adjust salt.
• Bring broth back to a boil and add tofu. Reduce heat to a simmer or a gentle boil, cover partly and simmer for 30 minutes. Tofu will puff a little, and texture will become more porous and spongy.
• Add thinly sliced shiitake mushroom caps, cover and simmer 5 minutes. Stir in cilantro and chives. Taste, adjust seasoning and serve.