Budae Jjigae - Croatian Style

Ingredients

While the original Korean Budae Jjigae traditionally includes ingredients like spam, hot dogs, and instant noodles, the Croatian adaptation incorporates local ingredients such as smoked sausages, cured ham, and paprika. This gives the dish a unique Croatian twist while still maintaining the essence of the original flavors. We alse have the original recipe for Budae jjigae, so you can check it out.

• 200g (7 oz) smoked sausages, sliced 200g (7 oz) smoked sausages, sliced
• 150g (5.3 oz) cured ham, diced 150g (5.3 oz) cured ham, diced
• 1 onion, thinly sliced 1 onion, thinly sliced
• 2 cloves of garlic, minced 2 cloves of garlic, minced
• 1 carrot, sliced 1 carrot, sliced
• 1 red bell pepper, sliced 1 red bell pepper, sliced
• 2 potatoes, peeled and cubed 2 potatoes, peeled and cubed
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 1 tablespoon paprika 1 tablespoon paprika
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce 1 tablespoon soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon gochujang (Korean chili paste) 1 tablespoon gochujang (Korean chili paste)
• 4 cups (950ml) chicken broth 4 cups (950ml) chicken broth
• 200g (7 oz) tofu, cubed 200g (7 oz) tofu, cubed
• 100g (3.5 oz) kimchi, chopped 100g (3.5 oz) kimchi, chopped
• 2 green onions, chopped 2 green onions, chopped
• Salt and pepper to taste Salt and pepper to taste

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 350 kcal / 1465 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 20g, 7g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 20g, 5g
• Protein: 25g
• Fiber: 4g
• Salt: 2g

Preparation

1. 1.
   In a large pot, heat some oil over medium heat. Add the sliced smoked sausages and diced cured ham. Cook until lightly browned.
2. 2.
   Add the sliced onion, minced garlic, sliced carrot, and sliced red bell pepper. Sauté until the vegetables are slightly softened.
3. 3.
   Stir in the cubed potatoes, tomato paste, paprika, soy sauce, and gochujang. Cook for a few minutes to allow the flavors to meld together.
4. 4.
   Pour in the chicken broth and bring the stew to a boil. Reduce the heat and let it simmer for about 15 minutes, or until the potatoes are tender.
5. 5.
   Add the cubed tofu and chopped kimchi to the pot. Simmer for an additional 5 minutes.
6. 6.
   Season with salt and pepper to taste. Garnish with chopped green onions.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Smoked sausages — If you prefer a milder flavor, you can use regular sausages instead.
• Cured ham — Feel free to substitute with any other cured meat of your choice.
• Gochujang — Adjust the amount according to your spice preference.
• Kimchi — If you can't find kimchi, you can substitute it with sauerkraut for a similar tangy flavor.
• Tofu — Firm tofu works best in this recipe as it holds its shape during cooking.

Tips & Tricks

• For a spicier stew, add some crushed red pepper flakes.
• Serve the Budae Jjigae with a side of steamed rice or crusty bread to soak up the flavorful broth.
• Customize the ingredients by adding mushrooms, cabbage, or any other vegetables you enjoy.
• Make a larger batch and freeze the leftovers for a quick and delicious meal on a busy day.
• Experiment with different types of smoked sausages and cured meats to create your own unique flavor profile.

Serving advice

Serve the Croatian Army Stew hot in individual bowls. Garnish with chopped green onions for a fresh touch. Enjoy it with a side of steamed rice or crusty bread.

Presentation advice

To enhance the presentation, arrange the sliced smoked sausages, cured ham, and colorful vegetables on top of the stew. This will create an inviting visual appeal.