Kim Chee Firm Tofu Soup

Alright don't hate me, but I go outside.  Let me explain.  Before all this COVID-19 madness started, I was working on improving my exercise routine.  I started going to the gym regularly and it was becoming a habit.  I wanted to work my jogging up to 10 miles per week.  I actually used to jog a lot.  A two-mile or 4-mile run was normal for me years ago and so was 10 miles per week.  I used to do a lot of 5K runs as well. 

Obviously, I've slacked off hard and I want to get back into it.  By mid-March, I had worked my way up to 3-5 miles per week and felt pretty good about it.   A number of events and personal changes in my life happened.  Additionally, I had to move as the place I was living in was being sold.  I gave up my plants, my entire container garden.

I now work remotely and may get a pay cut soon.  I understand that the previous projected budget for this fiscal year is now a lot less and that adjustments must be made. I know that I'm lucky to still have a job and I am better off than a lot of people and I am grateful for that.  A pay cut is much better than getting laid off and losing medical coverage.  I am aware of this and I am thankful.  I know a lot of people are stressed out right now.  Life is not normal and we are all doing our best to cope.  Don't be mean and talk shit to me.  Everyone has their own struggles.

I go outside to go walking for exercise.  I would like to attempt to jog, but I wear a mask and it's already hard to breath.  I push the crosswalk buttons with my elbows and wash my hands/arms when I reach home.  Yesterday, I tried lifting some weights at home after my walk.

Anyway, I went to the UPS store to return some items.  After moving to a new place, you realize you need some things.  Some things I purchased didn't work out.  For example, the over-the-toilet shelf was missing some pieces and the lazy susan spice rack couldn't fit in my cabinet.  There is a Korean grocery store just under the UPS store, in the same building.  Since I was already there, I decided to stop by.  I got a big container of whole cabbage kim chee and a bento.  It was great because I was able to make numerous meals with the kim chee, including this soup, another batch of kim chee soup with seafood, and a fried rice.  Being able to make a ton of meals with something helps reduce the amount of times you have to go out to get food.

I used firm tofu because that's what I had available in my fridge.  The soft tofu soup made with SOFT tofu, which is the authentic way is much better.  The broth is also much better the authentic way.  This is just my easy variation.  I ate it with some brown rice.

I honestly don't know if I used un choy or pak choy or a different kind of choy.  I googled it and was still unsure.  Let me know if you know, when you watch my videos.  Thank you!

Ingredients:

• 2 Arabiki sausages, cut into bite-size pieces
• 1 cup kim chee, chopped
• 1/2 block firm tofu, cubed
• 2 cups water
• 1 bunch un choy, chopped (about 2 cups)
• 1 Tablespoon sesame oil
• 1 Tablespoon toasted sesame seeds
• 1 Tablespoon chili oil 
• 2 Tablespoons green onions, chopped

Instructions:

1. Prepare ingredients as described above (chop, cube).
2. Add sausages to pan. 
3. Stir fry until slightly charred all over.
4. Add kim chee, water, tofu, un choy, sesame oil, sesame seeds, and chili oil.
5. Bring to a boil.
6. Garnish with chopped green onions.
7. Enjoy!

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