Spicy Soft Tofu Stew

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons (30ml) vegetable oil 2 tablespoons (30ml) vegetable oil
• 1 onion, thinly sliced 1 onion, thinly sliced
• 2 cloves of garlic, minced 2 cloves of garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon (15g) gochugaru (Korean red pepper flakes) 1 tablespoon (15g) gochugaru (Korean red pepper flakes)
• 1 tablespoon (15g) gochujang (Korean red pepper paste) 1 tablespoon (15g) gochujang (Korean red pepper paste)
• 4 cups (950ml) seafood or vegetable broth 4 cups (950ml) seafood or vegetable broth
• 1 cup (240ml) water 1 cup (240ml) water
• 1 zucchini, sliced 1 zucchini, sliced
• 4 ounces (113g) mushrooms, sliced 4 ounces (113g) mushrooms, sliced
• 1 cup (240g) clams, cleaned 1 cup (240g) clams, cleaned
• 1 package (14 ounces/397g) soft tofu, cubed 1 package (14 ounces/397g) soft tofu, cubed
• 2 green onions, chopped 2 green onions, chopped
• Salt, to taste Salt, to taste

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 250 kcal / 1046 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 10g, 1g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 25g, 8g
• Protein: 15g
• Fiber: 5g
• Salt: 2g

Preparation

1. 1.
   Heat the vegetable oil in a large pot over medium heat.
2. 2.
   Add the sliced onion and minced garlic to the pot and sauté until the onion becomes translucent.
3. 3.
   Stir in the gochugaru and gochujang, cooking for a minute to release their flavors.
4. 4.
   Pour in the seafood or vegetable broth and water, and bring the mixture to a boil.
5. 5.
   Add the sliced zucchini, mushrooms, and clams to the pot. Simmer for 5 minutes or until the clams open.
6. 6.
   Gently add the cubed soft tofu to the stew, being careful not to break it apart. Cook for an additional 2 minutes.
7. 7.
   Season with salt to taste and garnish with chopped green onions.
8. 8.
   Serve the Spicy Soft Tofu Stew hot with steamed rice.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Soft Tofu — Handle the soft tofu with care to prevent it from breaking apart. Gently add it to the stew towards the end of the cooking process.
• Gochugaru (Korean red pepper flakes) — Adjust the amount of gochugaru according to your spice preference. Add more for extra heat or reduce for a milder flavor.
• Gochujang (Korean red pepper paste) — Look for gochujang in Korean grocery stores or online. It adds a unique and essential flavor to the stew.

Tips & Tricks

• For a heartier version, add other seafood such as shrimp or squid.
• If clams are not available, substitute with mussels or omit the seafood altogether for a vegetarian option.
• Adjust the spiciness by adding more or less gochugaru and gochujang.
• Serve the stew with a side of kimchi and pickled radishes for a traditional Korean meal.
• Leftovers can be refrigerated and reheated the next day, allowing the flavors to meld even further.

Serving advice

Serve the Spicy Soft Tofu Stew piping hot in individual bowls. Accompany it with a bowl of steamed rice and a side of kimchi for a complete and satisfying meal.

Presentation advice

Garnish the stew with a sprinkle of chopped green onions to add a pop of color. Serve it in traditional Korean ceramic bowls to enhance the visual appeal.