Spicy and Refreshing Marinated Crab Stew with Leftover Marinated Crabs
A Special Doenjang Stew Recipe Enhanced with the Rich Umami of Leftover Marinated Crabs
Do you have leftover marinated crabs from holidays or special occasions? Instead of letting them go to waste or worrying about storage, try making this delicious marinated crab stew! The marinated crabs themselves are packed with various seasonings, allowing you to achieve a deep and rich flavor without needing many additional ingredients. This stew offers a refreshing taste reminiscent of seafood soup, with the coolness of radish, the tenderness of tofu, and the freshness of various vegetables, making it a perfect dish to warm you up. Make the most of your leftover marinated crabs and try this unforgettable marinated crab stew!
Main Ingredients
- 1 plate of marinated crabs
- Radish, about 7-8cm long
- 1/2 block of tofu
- 1/3 Korean zucchini (aehobak)
- 1/2 onion
- 1-2 Cheongyang peppers
- 1 stalk of green onion
- 1/2 pack of enoki mushrooms
- 1 piece of instant broth cube or disc
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
The picture shown is of delicious marinated crabs made by my mother. These will be the star ingredient of this dish.
Step 2
In a pot, add 1.5 liters (about 6 cups) of water and one instant broth cube or disc to create a savory broth. This step significantly deepens the base flavor of the stew.
Step 3
While the broth is simmering, peel the radish and slice it thinly. It’s best to cut it not too thick for stew, ensuring it cooks evenly.
Step 4
To ensure a quick cooking time, slice the radish thinly, similar to how you would for radish soup. Thin slices allow the radish to cook faster and absorb the broth’s flavor more effectively.
Step 5
Once the broth is boiling vigorously, use a sieve to dissolve 2 tablespoons of doenjang into the broth, ensuring there are no lumps. Let it simmer briefly after dissolving the doenjang to bring out its savory aroma.
Step 6
When the doenjang broth comes back to a boil, add the sliced radish and cook for another 5 minutes until the radish turns translucent. Allow time for the radish to release its refreshing flavor into the stew.
Step 7
While the radish is cooking, dice the onion into 1.5cm cubes. Slice the 1-2 Cheongyang peppers diagonally for a touch of spiciness. Cut the Korean zucchini into half-moon shapes, about 0.5cm thick.
Step 8
When the radish is cooked and the broth boils again, add all the prepared vegetables – onion, Cheongyang peppers, and Korean zucchini – and cook until they are tender. The colorful vegetables add visual appeal.
Step 9
Cut half a block of tofu into approximately 2cm cubes and add them to the stew. Gently place the tofu to prevent it from breaking apart.
Step 10
Once the stew comes to another boil, add the marinated crabs. The seasonings from the crabs will dissolve into the broth, adding a rich umami flavor.
Step 11
As the stew starts to boil vigorously, add the stalk of green onion, sliced diagonally. The refreshing aroma of the green onion will enhance the stew’s overall flavor.
Step 12
Continue to simmer for about 5 more minutes, allowing all the ingredients to meld together. Taste and adjust the seasoning with 0.5 teaspoon of salt, or as needed. If the marinated crabs are already salty enough, you can omit or use very little salt. If you feel it lacks umami, you can add a tiny bit more doenjang to adjust the flavor.
Step 13
Once the broth has reduced slightly and the flavors have harmonized, add the half pack of enoki mushrooms, prepared for eating. Simmer for another moment, and your stew is complete.
Step 14
It’s best to let the freshly made stew cool slightly before serving. For an even richer taste, transfer it to an individual earthenware pot (ttukbaegi) and reheat it briefly before eating. Enjoy it piping hot.
Step 15
Thanks to the leftover marinated crabs, this spicy, refreshing, and deeply flavored marinated crab stew is ready without much extra seasoning! It’s a true rice thief, and even the kids love it.
Step 16
This is the recipe for a delicious marinated crab stew, a unique dish made with leftover marinated crabs, boasting a rich flavor and refreshing taste like seafood soup, thanks to the addition of marinated crabs and cool radish!
