Rich and Spicy Beef Brisket Soft Tofu Stew
Super Simple Beef Brisket Soft Tofu Stew (No Extra Ingredients Needed!) – A Deep Flavorful Recipe
While doing some serious fridge cleaning, I found some beef brisket in the freezer and wanted to make something with it, but I had absolutely no other ingredients on hand. So, I called my mom for ideas! I decided to make soft tofu stew, one of my favorites, without any extra vegetables. This is my mom’s incredibly delicious recipe! It’s simple, rich, spicy, and packed with beef.
Stew Ingredients
- 1 pack Soft Tofu
- 150g Beef Brisket (Beef Short Rib)
- 1/3 stalk Green Onion
Seasoning and Broth
- 1 Tbsp Sesame Oil
- 1 Tbsp Cooking Oil
- 2 Tbsp Fish Sauce (Kkanari)
- 2 Tbsp Soy Sauce (for soup)
- 1 cup Hot Water
- 1 Tbsp Minced Garlic
- 1.5 Tbsp Red Pepper Flakes (Gochugaru)
- 1 Tbsp Sesame Oil
- 1 Tbsp Cooking Oil
- 2 Tbsp Fish Sauce (Kkanari)
- 2 Tbsp Soy Sauce (for soup)
- 1 cup Hot Water
- 1 Tbsp Minced Garlic
- 1.5 Tbsp Red Pepper Flakes (Gochugaru)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, wash the green onion thoroughly and chop it into bite-sized pieces. This will add a fresh aroma to the stew. Don’t worry if they are cut a bit large; they will soften as they cook.
Step 2
In a pot, combine 1 Tbsp sesame oil, 1 Tbsp cooking oil, and 1 Tbsp minced garlic (using a tablespoon as a measure). Cook over very low heat to create fragrant garlic oil. It’s crucial to use low heat to prevent the garlic from burning, which can make it taste bitter. Keep the heat on low throughout this step!
Step 3
Once the garlic is fragrant and the garlic oil is ready, add the beef brisket to the pot.
Step 4
Sauté the beef brisket in the garlic oil. Stir occasionally to prevent it from sticking to the pan. Cook until the beef loses its pink color and is partially cooked, then move on to the next step.
Step 5
Now, add 1.5 Tbsp of red pepper flakes (Gochugaru) and stir-fry it with the beef. If you prefer a spicier stew, use 1.5 Tbsp. If you prefer a milder flavor, use 1 Tbsp. Stirring the red pepper flakes with the beef and oil will naturally render chili oil, adding a deeper flavor.
Step 6
As the red pepper flakes and beef sauté in the garlic oil, a delicious chili oil will naturally form. This chili oil is what gives the stew its savory depth and spicy kick.
Step 7
Pour in 1 cup of hot water (about 200ml), pre-heated using a kettle. The water should be enough to just cover the beef. Using hot water helps maintain the stew’s temperature and allows the ingredients’ flavors to meld better.
Step 8
Bring the water to a boil. Once it starts bubbling vigorously, it’s time to add the soft tofu.
Step 9
Gently break the soft tofu into about four pieces directly in the pot. Adding it in larger chunks helps preserve its delicate texture. Avoid mashing it too much with the spoon.
Step 10
Add the chopped green onion on top of the stew. The refreshing taste of the green onion will complement the rich broth.
Step 11
Finally, add 2 Tbsp of fish sauce (Kkanari) and 2 Tbsp of soy sauce (for soup) to season the stew. You can adjust the saltiness with additional salt if needed. It’s best to taste and add seasoning gradually.
Step 12
Your delicious Beef Brisket Soft Tofu Stew is ready! Even if the tofu is slightly broken, it’s still incredibly tasty. The rich beef broth, the spicy chili oil, and the tender tofu create a wonderful harmony of flavors, completely different from seafood-based soft tofu stews. Enjoy this deeply flavorful meal!
