Friday, September 18, 2009

Comfort Food

My favorite comfort food is kimchi stew (kimchi jjigae). Well, I shouldn't really call it kimchi jjigae since what I make is truly not traditional. First of all, usually it is made with pork, but when I made it this week, I used chicken. I also didn't use any of the flavorings that are often used.

We always have a big jar of kimchi in our fridge. Usually, my mother-in-law makes kimchi and gives us some. On the rare occasion that she doesn't give us any, we buy it. I guess making kimchi could be a fun project one of these days... Anyway, here is the jar of kimchi that was quite ripe and therefore perfect for kimchi stew.

I simply sauteed some chicken in some olive oil and after the chicken was browned, I added the kimchi a bit of water.

Then I reduced the heat and let the stew simmer for a few hours.

After a few hours, the chicken was all shredded and very flavorful. Before serving the dish, I added a bit of sesame oil.

And here is my plate with some white rice. While this dish isn't the prettiest food I have ever made, it sure is comfort food! :o)

Question: What's your favorite comfort food?

Be well,
Andrea
Posted by at 4:53 AM
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32 comments:

  1. I love recipes that have some tradition behind them, it makes the meal that much more satisfying.

    I think oatmeal is my comfort food! I haven't been eating it much lately but anything warm, sweet and healthy to boot is comforting in my book.

    I totally thought of you last night when I was making gazpacho! I know it's one of your favs too. :)
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  2. my mom's chicken casserole is my favorite comfort food :)
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  3. Ooh that looks spectacular. I have so much fun with switching around ingredients, too :)

    Favourite comfort foods of mine include popcorn and split pea soup.
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  4. kimchi chicken? such a great idea! never thought about it! Your mother in law makes kimchi? is she korean?
    my comfort food is really simple: big bowl of steamed kabocha! you can see I comfort myself every night~~
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  5. What is kimchi?

    My favourite comfort meal would have to be roasted chicken with carrots and onions (from the same pan).
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  6. I've never heard of that. It look delicious! My favorite comfort food? Probably chicken and dumplings. I finally found a recipe that tastes a lot like Cracker Barrel's recipe!
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  7. I love kimchi jjigae! N makes a great version. Yours looks tasty.
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  8. Here is some more info regarding today's post:

    Yes, my mother-in-law is Korean.

    Kimchi is Korean pickled cabbage. It's similar to Sauerkraut but spicier. It's often eaten cold as a side dish to accompany your main meal. The teenager doesn't really care for cold kimchi, but he loves warm kimchi... So I'm experimenting a lot with "warm kimchi dishes"... :)
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  9. Your kimchi stew looks excellent, great comfort food! My best comfort food is always some kind of stuffed pasta like ravioli.
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  10. That looks delicious, definitely comfort food! :) Mine would have to be pasta!
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  11. I'm a total gooey cheesey person when it comes to comfort, oh and pasta.

    your Kimchi dish looks DELISH!

    Is it spicy? it looks like it could be.
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  12. Is kimchi a kind of pickled thing? I've never had it...

    Comfort foods: anything with a rich tomato sauce and melted cheese :D
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  13. Mac and cheese for sure! When in doubt, I'm eating mac and cheese.
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  14. Oh YUM! That looks fantastic.
    My favorite comfort food has to be cheeseburgers. They always hit the spot for me. I like them with Swiss cheese and mushrooms, on a whole wheat bun of course!
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  15. I wish i understood the magic behind fermented soy beans (tofu) and fermented cabbage. Either way i know they are both great for health. Cabbage is great for sensitive stomachs. Looks delicious and healthy and now my tummy is screaming for me to go make lunch =)
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  16. I need to make me some kimchi. That's one thing I don't have in the fridge at the moment. Looks good, Andrea!! My comfort food would have to be bread. I could eat a slice of baguette or any sourdough and I'd be happy.
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  17. You know, I am going to have to try kimchi- I've never had it before...i'm not a huge cabbage fan, but I need to give it a try!

    Have a great weekend!!
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  18. i love, love, love cultured veggies.

    for comfort food...i'd have to say anything that is oozing cheese.
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  19. oh how i love kimchi!! looks so delicious!
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  20. Oooh sounds and looks delicious- I've never had that before!
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  21. yum that looks amazing. i haven't been able to find any kimchi in koreatown without any MSG added....it gives me a headache. have you?
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  22. I gotta say I think that looks absolutely delicious.

    For me, comfort food is a big plate of pasta and sauce with grated parmesan cheese. I rarely eat this because I need ALOT of it when I eat it. That's just the way it is.
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  23. Kimchi jjigae is comfort food for me too :) I need to make kimchi-making a project as well! I've been neglecting that part of my heritage because I hear it's difficult to get it right ><

    I love any Korean stews as comfort food, including deunjang (miso) jjigae and miyuk gook (seaweed soup). Yuuuum!
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  24. Mmmm..... kimchi stew is comfort food for me too. Also, Korean Soon tofu. I like to eat them during Winter.
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  25. I've never heard of kimchi! I must be completely out of the loop because that looks amazing
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  26. I've never tried kimchi before! I am not a big fan of sauerkraut but am willing to try anything once. Your chicken dish looked *really* delicious esp. how the chicken was all shredded up :-)

    Comfort food:
    sweet: kheer (Indian rice pudding) or warm tapioca pudding
    savory: Warm baguette w/ butter or a delicious pasta dish
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  27. I loooove kimchi. I discovered it when I first moved to California, it's so delicious. Love the way you seasoned your chicken
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  28. I've never heard of Kimchi... but it does look really good!! My fave comfort food... chili I think! With some melted cheese on top and toast on the side! Yum!!
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  29. Looks amazing!

    My favorite comfort food is pasta with lots of cheese! :)
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  30. Yum! I've never had it either but it looks awesome! My favorite comfort food is pasta/mac & cheese/mashed potatoes and gravy - "thanksgiving casseroles" - really just CARBS on top of carbs with a side of carbs. hehe
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  31. Kimchi is my newest "OMG YUM!" food! A friend introduced us and I've been HOOKED.

    But as for comfort foods...oatmeal with peanut butter is among the healthiest. My mom's roast beef is another.

    Less healthy would have to be spaghetti with meat sauce, or ice cream. Cooold comfort!
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  32. Mmm, I bet Jason would love this! He lived in Korea for 2 years and loves the food.
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