Baek Jong-won’s Dakbokkeumtang: A Delicious Home-Style Braised Chicken Recipe
Baek Jong-won’s Dakbokkeumtang: A Delicious Home-Style Braised Chicken Recipe
Mastering Dakbokkeumtang at Home with Baek Jong-won’s Signature Method
Let’s make a crowd-pleasing Dakbokkeumtang that’s always a hit! This recipe offers a flavorful and satisfying experience.
Main Ingredients- 1 pack (approx. 1kg) chicken cut for braising
- 2 medium potatoes
- 1 medium carrot
- 2 green chilies or Cheongyang peppers
- 1/2 eggplant
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Today, we’re going to make Dakbokkeumtang, a beloved national dish, following a recipe inspired by Baek Jong-won. While the basic steps are similar, a few extra tips can elevate the flavor to a deeper, more delicious level.
Step 2
Prepare 1 pack of chicken cut for braising. To effectively remove any gamey smell from the chicken and make the meat more tender, soak the chicken in milk for about 15 minutes. This step is crucial for eliminating the characteristic odor and enhancing the overall flavor of the dish.
Step 3
Remove the chicken from the milk, rinse it thoroughly, and place it in a pot or deep pan. Add enough water to cover the chicken. It’s better to start with a moderate amount of water and let it reduce as it cooks, rather than adding too much initially.
Step 4
Add the prepared 2 tablespoons of sugar to the water with the chicken and bring it to a boil. Adding sugar early allows it to subtly infuse the chicken with sweetness, creating a more complex and savory taste.
Step 5
As the chicken simmers, skim off any impurities or foam that rise to the surface. Removing these impurities will result in a cleaner and more refined taste for your Dakbokkeumtang.
Step 6
Once the broth is simmering, add 2 tablespoons of gochugaru (Korean chili flakes) to introduce a spicy kick. If you prefer a spicier dish, feel free to increase the amount of gochugaru or add one Cheongyang pepper for extra heat.
Step 7
While the Dakbokkeumtang is simmering, take this time to prepare the vegetables that will be added later. The main dish will be reducing and its flavors deepening, so having your vegetables ready will streamline the process.
Step 8
For the vegetables, we’re using 2 potatoes, 1 carrot, 2 green chilies, and 1/2 an eggplant, which is in season. The green chilies add a fresh aroma and visual appeal, while the eggplant contributes a soft, pleasing texture.
Step 9
Add the potatoes first, as they take the longest to cook due to their density. By this time, you’ll notice the broth has thickened considerably. When the potatoes are almost tender, add the rest of the vegetables: the carrot, chilies, and eggplant. Adding vegetables in stages based on their cooking time ensures they are all perfectly cooked.
Step 10
Now, let everything simmer together beautifully. Warm, soupy dishes like this are perfect for the current weather. I had Yukgaejang last weekend, and Dakbokkeumtang is just as comforting and delicious.
Step 11
And there you have it – Baek Jong-won’s Dakbokkeumtang is complete! Thanks to the initial sugar addition, the sauce has a delightful sweetness. Soaking the chicken in milk ensured there’s no gamey odor, and the meat is wonderfully tender. Enjoy this hearty dish with a bowl of warm rice!
