We’re cooking again.  It’s been awhile since we ( hubby and I) head to the kitchen and experiment on a new recipe.  My husband has been frequenting a Korean restaurant near his office building.  He brought me there once and ordered Beef Kimchi.  I couldn’t decide if I like it or not, it’s so spicy that I need to grab my glass of water asap!  He said its an acquired taste, so I guess I trusted his word for it.

Just last week, he sent three links on Skype.  They’re all recipes and videos on how to cook Kimchi soup.  I wasn’t that much interested at first but he asked me if I was able to get all of them.  I browsed all three of them and decided on the one that has clear instructions and simple recipe.

We head to the supermarket the next day and hunt for all the recipes in my list.  We found all but one.  The grocery store ran out of green onions! This Sunday afternoon, a rainy day at that, was a perfect day to make a hot and spicy Beef Kimchi Stew.  The original recipe was from aeriskitchen.com which was Pork Kimchi Stew.  Since I prefer eating beef than pork, I substituted the meat ingredient.

We both worked in the kitchen excitedly, relishing the thought of cooking with my significant other.  It was an easy recipe, having the grandest time slicing the soft tofu.  I convinced myself that I’m going to like what my hubby wants to eat.  It did smell good after awhile.  When the final ingredient was in and after bringing it to a boil, I served it really hot.  Straight from the kitchen!

The satisfied look on his face while he kept saying, “Ang sarap, tamang-tama lang, the best Honey!” (taste great, just right, the best), was enough to make my day.  Surely enough, it really was an acquired taste.  My kids were amused that it brought color to my face.  The extra spicy flavor turned my face so red that my baby girl thought I was crying.  Surprisingly, I craved for more after my first serving.  It was great with boiled rice.  Never thought I would like something Korean.  For those who likes spicy foods, kimchi is the way to go.  Have fun with this revised recipe or you might add a little twist yourself.

BEEF KIMCHI STEW

Main Ingredients:

• 2 cups of fermented kimchi
• 2 cups water
• 1 pack soft tofu
• 1 Tbsp sesame oil
• 1 Tbsp cooking oil ( any variety)
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp minced garlic
•  4 chili peppers

Beef Ingredients:

• 1 cup beef
• 1/2 tsp minced garlic
• 1 Tbsp rice wine
• 2 pinch salt
• 2 pinch pepper

Directions:

1. Slice the beef cubes to bite sizes.
2. Marinate the beef by combining it with rice wine, minced pepper, salt, and pepper.
3. Slice the kimchi to smaller sizes.
4. Slice the soft tofu into squares.
5. Slice the chili peppers into smaller pieces.
6. Heat the pan with low to medium heat.
7. Pour the sesame oil and add the marinated beef.
8. Cover and leave for 5 minutes.
9. Add the kimchi, 2 cups of water, and kimchi broth.
10. Add cooking oil.
11. Cover and let it simmer for 10 minutes.
12. Add the tofu and cover for 2 minutes.
13. Add the chili peppers and cover for another 2 minutes.
14. Serve hot directly from the pan or transfer to a large bowl.