Hearty Sweet Potato Stem Soybean Paste Stew
Savory Soybean Paste Stew with Freshly Picked Sweet Potato Stems
This flavorful soybean paste stew is made with tender sweet potato stems, grown fresh in my brother-in-law’s garden. The stems are peeled, cut into generous chunks, and simmered to perfection. Enjoy the comforting taste of homemade ingredients and the rich aroma of well-fermented soybean paste. It’s a delightful, healthy dish perfect for any meal!
Stew Ingredients
- Fresh sweet potato stems, 1 handful (approx. 100-150g)
- 1 medium potato
- 1/2 medium onion
- 1 red chili pepper
- 2 green chili peppers (preferably Korean ‘cheongyang’ peppers)
- 100g cleaned clams
- 2 Tbsp soybean paste (doenjang)
- 4 cups broth (anchovy and kelp base recommended, approx. 800ml)
- 1 Tbsp minced garlic
- 2 Tbsp shiitake mushroom powder (optional)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Begin by thoroughly washing all your fresh ingredients. Peel the potato and cut it into bite-sized cubes. Slice the onion thickly, either into wedges or cubes. Slice the red and green chili peppers diagonally, removing the seeds if you prefer less heat. For the sweet potato stems, use a peeler to remove the tough outer skin, then cut them into generous 5-7 cm lengths. Briefly rinse the cleaned clams under running water.
Step 2
In a pot, combine anchovies and kelp, then add 4 cups of water to create a flavorful broth. Once the broth comes to a boil, remove the kelp. Add the cubed potatoes and the prepared sweet potato stems to the anchovy broth and start simmering. Cook for about 5-7 minutes, or until the potatoes are halfway tender.
Step 3
When the potatoes are partially cooked, add the sliced onion, chili peppers, and the cleaned clams to the pot. Dissolve the 2 tablespoons of soybean paste by sifting it through a fine-mesh sieve into the stew, or by whisking it with a little broth beforehand. Stir in the shiitake mushroom powder and minced garlic. Allow the stew to simmer gently over medium-low heat for about 5 more minutes, letting all the flavors meld together beautifully. Your delicious sweet potato stem soybean paste stew is now ready to be enjoyed!
