left over kimchi... let's make soup!

this is my take on kimchi soup / stew in my household.
i am no chef or expert in korean cooking-- this is our ghetto version.
it varies depending on what veggies we have around...
experiment and try different stuff!

the original recipe base came from my cousin, 
but our family is full of modifiers!

KIMCHI STEW / SOUP

(once again, no exact measurements!)

 

ingredients
(DOUBLE OR TRIPLE THEM IF YOU WANT)

 
• 1 to 2 cups of kimchi from your favorite market
  (you can chop it into bite-sized pieces if you prefer. do not drain!)
• trader joe's beefless strips
  (or your fave mock beef or pork strips)
• a small onion, diced 
• sliced shiitake mushroom
  (i like two packages of fresh shiitakes, or portabella when i can't find shiitake!)
• minced garlic cloves
  (i use about 4 or 5)
• approx. 1/2 cup of scallions.
  (chop them into 1/2" chunks or slice them into coins. it is up to you.)
• ginger to taste
  (you can use fresh or dried.  we use dried mostly for this... about 1 to 1/2 tsp)
• water
  (it depends on how thick you want it. i usually add enough to coat everything-- about 1 and 1/2 cups to 2 cups of kimchi-- and make a more stew-like dish.  some people use a 2 part water to one part kimchi ratio)
• a package of tofu, cubed or sliced
  (i personally like using firm tofu, but feel free to use silken) 
• mirin to taste
  (sweet taste, start of with a tablespoon)
• rice vinegar to taste
  (sour taste, start off with a tablespoon)
• soy sauce or braggs  to taste
  (salty taste, start off with a 1/2 tablespoon. sometimes the kimchi you get can be really salty!)
• sriracha or other hot sauce to taste
• red pepper flakes, optional
• optional veggies: zucchini, sprouts, fresh napa cabbage, daikon, carrots, hot peppers, etc

directions

• drain your kimchi, but keep the juice in a separate bowl! YOU NEED THE JUICE!
• in your soup pot, sauteed your onion in sesame oil. add the garlic, and beef-less strips. 
• add the shiitake mushrooms and juice from your kimchi to the saute. add any other veggies here as well.
• add your water.
• add ginger, mirin, rice vinegar, and soy sauce to the pot. adjust these ingredients as you wish.
• stir until everything is well combined! 
• bring to a boil. 
• taste! add sriracha to your liking. i like it super spicy! you can also add your optional red pepper flakes.
• add the tofu and simmer until everything is flavorful and the kimchi is tender.
• ladle into bowls and top with scallions.  yum!