Here's a recipe for Dak-bokkeumtang (Korean Spicy Braised Chicken), tailored for an international audience:
Dak-bokkeumtang (Korean Spicy Braised Chicken) Recipe
Dak-bokkeumtang is a flavorful and spicy Korean braised chicken dish with vegetables. It's a popular comfort food perfect for sharing.
Ingredients (Serves 2-3):
- 1 whole chicken (about 2 lbs), cut into pieces
- 2 potatoes, peeled and cut into chunks
- 1 onion, sliced
- 1/2 carrot, cut into chunks
- 1 green onion, diagonally sliced
- 2 green chili peppers (optional), diagonally sliced
- 4 cups (800ml) water
Sauce Ingredients:
- 3 tablespoons Korean chili paste (gochujang)
- 2 tablespoons Korean chili powder (gochugaru)
- 3 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 2 tablespoons rice wine (mirin)
- 1 teaspoon ginger juice or minced ginger
- A pinch of black pepper
Instructions:
- Prepare the Ingredients:
- Clean the chicken by rinsing it under cold water and removing any excess fat.
- Cut the potatoes, carrots, and onions into bite-sized pieces.
- Slice the green onions and chili peppers diagonally.
- Blanch the Chicken:
- Bring a pot of water to a boil.
- Add the chicken pieces and blanch for about 3 minutes.
- Rinse the chicken under cold water. (This helps remove impurities and reduces any gamey taste.)
- Make the Sauce:
- In a bowl, combine all the sauce ingredients and mix well.
- Simmer the Chicken:
- In a large pot, add the blanched chicken, water, and the sauce.
- Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce to medium heat and simmer for about 10 minutes.
- Add Vegetables:
- Add the potatoes, carrots, and onions to the pot.
- Simmer for another 15 minutes, or until the potatoes are tender.
- Add Green Onion and Chili Peppers:
- Add the green onions and chili peppers (if using).
- Simmer for another 5 minutes.
- Serve:
- Once the sauce has thickened and the chicken and vegetables are cooked through, remove from heat and serve hot.
Tips and Variations:
- Blanching: While blanching the chicken is optional, it helps to remove any impurities and results in a cleaner taste.
- Vegetables: You can substitute potatoes with sweet potatoes.
- Spice Level: Adjust the amount of chili powder or chili paste to control the spiciness.
- Flavor Boost: Add a dash of curry powder for a unique flavor.
- Noodles: Add glass noodles or ramen noodles towards the end of cooking for a heartier meal.