Cheese Budae Jjigae Recipe

Ingredients with Measurements:
- 1 can of Spam (7 oz), sliced
- 1 cup of sliced hot dogs
- 1 cup of sliced onions
- 1 cup of sliced green onions
- 1 cup of sliced mushrooms
- 1 cup of sliced cabbage
- 1 cup of sliced carrots
- 1 cup of sliced tofu
- 1 cup of sliced American cheese
- 2 cups of water
- 2 cups of chicken broth
- 1/4 cup of gochujang (Korean chili paste)
- 1/4 cup of gochugaru (Korean chili flakes)
- 2 tablespoons of soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons of sugar
- 1 tablespoon of minced garlic
- 1 tablespoon of sesame oil
- Salt and pepper to taste

Special equipment needed:
- Large pot or Dutch oven
- Ladle
- Serving bowls

Step-by-step instructions:

1. In a large pot or Dutch oven, add water and chicken broth and bring to a boil.
2. Add sliced Spam, hot dogs, onions, green onions, mushrooms, cabbage, and carrots to the pot and stir.
3. Add gochujang, gochugaru, soy sauce, sugar, minced garlic, and sesame oil to the pot and stir.
4. Reduce heat to medium and let the stew simmer for 10-15 minutes.
5. Add sliced tofu and American cheese to the pot and stir until the cheese is melted.
6. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
7. Serve hot in individual bowls.


Time:
Preparation time: 20 minutes
Cooking time: 25 minutes
Temperature:
Medium heat
Serving size:
4-6 servings

Nutritional information:
Calories: 350
Fat: 20g
Carbohydrates: 20g
Protein: 25g

Substitutions for ingredients:
- Spam can be substituted with ham or bacon.
- Hot dogs can be substituted with sausages or beef.
- American cheese can be substituted with cheddar or mozzarella.

Variations:
- Add ramen noodles or rice cakes to the stew for a heartier meal.
- Use different vegetables such as zucchini, bell peppers, or bean sprouts.
- Add seafood such as shrimp or clams for a seafood version.

Tips and tricks:
- Use a non-stick pot or Dutch oven to prevent the cheese from sticking to the bottom.
- Cut the vegetables into bite-sized pieces for easier eating.
- Adjust the amount of gochujang and gochugaru to your desired level of spiciness.

Storage instructions:
Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.

Reheating instructions:
Reheat in a pot over medium heat until heated through.

Presentation ideas:
Serve in individual bowls with a ladle.

Garnishes:
Sprinkle with sliced green onions and sesame seeds.

Pairings:
Serve with steamed rice and kimchi.

Suggested side dishes:
Korean pancakes (jeon) or Korean fried chicken.

Troubleshooting advice:
- If the stew is too thick, add more water or chicken broth.
- If the cheese is not melting, increase the heat and stir constantly.

Food safety advice:
Make sure all ingredients are cooked thoroughly before serving.

Food history:
Budae Jjigae, also known as Army Stew, originated in South Korea after the Korean War when food was scarce. It was created by using surplus food from U.S. military bases such as Spam, hot dogs, and cheese.

Flavor profiles:
Savory, spicy, and cheesy.

Serving suggestions:
Serve hot and enjoy with family and friends.

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Region: Korean

Taste: Savory, Cheesy, Spicy, Umami, Tangy