Tochitură Moldovenească with a North Korean Twist

Ingredients

In the original Tochitură Moldovenească, the pork is typically marinated in wine and cooked with onions, garlic, and various spices. In this adaptation, we replace the wine with a combination of soy sauce and gochujang, a Korean chili paste, to infuse the dish with a spicy kick. Additionally, we incorporate kimchi, a staple in North Korean cuisine, to add a unique tangy and fermented flavor profile. We alse have the original recipe for Tochitură Moldovenească, so you can check it out.

• 500g (1.1 lb) pork shoulder, cubed 500g (1.1 lb) pork shoulder, cubed
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1 onion, finely chopped 1 onion, finely chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon gochujang (Korean chili paste) 1 tablespoon gochujang (Korean chili paste)
• 1 cup kimchi, chopped 1 cup kimchi, chopped
• 2 cups chicken broth 2 cups chicken broth
• 2 bay leaves 2 bay leaves
• 1 teaspoon paprika 1 teaspoon paprika
• Salt and pepper, to taste Salt and pepper, to taste
• Fresh parsley, for garnish Fresh parsley, for garnish

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 350 kcal / 1465 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 20g, 6g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 10g, 4g
• Protein: 30g
• Fiber: 2g
• Salt: 2g

Preparation

1. 1.
   Heat the vegetable oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the pork cubes and cook until browned on all sides. Remove the pork from the pot and set aside.
2. 2.
   In the same pot, add the chopped onion and minced garlic. Sauté until the onion is translucent.
3. 3.
   Return the pork to the pot and add the soy sauce, gochujang, and chopped kimchi. Stir well to coat the pork with the sauce.
4. 4.
   Pour in the chicken broth and add the bay leaves and paprika. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
5. 5.
   Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low. Cover the pot and simmer for 1.5 to 2 hours, or until the pork is tender and the flavors have melded together.
6. 6.
   Serve the spicy pork stew hot, garnished with fresh parsley. Enjoy with steamed rice or noodles.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Kimchi — If you prefer a milder flavor, you can rinse the kimchi before adding it to the stew. Adjust the amount of gochujang according to your spice preference.

Tips & Tricks

• For an extra kick of spice, add a few slices of fresh chili pepper to the stew.
• If you can't find gochujang, you can substitute it with sriracha or another chili paste.
• Serve the stew with a side of steamed bok choy or pickled vegetables for a complete meal.
• Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and taste even better the next day as the flavors continue to develop.
• Adjust the cooking time based on the desired tenderness of the pork.

Serving advice

Serve the spicy pork stew in individual bowls, accompanied by steamed rice or noodles. Garnish with fresh parsley for a pop of color.

Presentation advice

To enhance the presentation, sprinkle some sesame seeds over the stew before serving. The contrasting colors of the pork, kimchi, and parsley will make the dish visually appealing.