Beautiful Spam Kimchi Stew (Kimchi Jjigae)
Elevate Your Kimchi Stew: A Beautifully Presented Spam Kimchi Jjigae
Tired of ordinary Kimchi Jjigae? Let’s make a visually appealing version! The taste of kimchi varies from household to household, so it’s best to adjust the seasonings to your preference. This recipe focuses on presenting a common Spam Kimchi Jjigae in a more elegant way, perfect for special occasions or just to brighten up a regular meal.
Main Ingredients
- 1/2 head of well-fermented kimchi
- 200g Spam (1 can)
- 200g firm tofu
- 1 onion
- 500ml light anchovy-kelp broth
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Prepare the ingredients for your delicious Spam Kimchi Jjigae.
Step 2
Cut the Spam and tofu into pieces about the length of your pinky finger and twice its thickness. Thinly slice the onion. Separate the thick white stems from the leafy parts of the kimchi. Tip: The thick stem parts, when placed at the bottom of the pot, add a wonderful depth of flavor and prevent the stew from sticking. Cut the leafy parts into bite-sized pieces.
Step 3
Lay a piece of kimchi leaf flat. Place a slice of Spam on top and carefully roll it up.
Step 4
If the kimchi leaf is large, fold in the sides before rolling it up. If it’s smaller, just roll it tightly. Roll the tofu slices in kimchi leaves in the same manner. This helps maintain a neat shape during cooking.
Step 5
Line the bottom of your pot with the thickly sliced onions. On top of the onions, arrange the thick white stem parts of the kimchi. This layer prevents sticking and enriches the stew’s base flavor.
Step 6
Neatly arrange the rolled kimchi, tofu, and Spam pieces in the pot. Pour in the 500ml of anchovy-kelp broth. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce to medium-low, and simmer until the kimchi is tender and the flavors have melded beautifully. Tip: If the stew’s color is too light, add a bit more gochugaru (Korean chili flakes). If your kimchi is too sour, add a pinch of sugar to balance the flavor. If it needs more saltiness, season with guk-ganjang (soup soy sauce).
Step 7
Your beautifully presented Spam Kimchi Jjigae is now complete! Each spoonful offers a delightful combination of kimchi, Spam, and tofu. Enjoy this visually pleasing and incredibly delicious stew!
