Tilapia Gochijang Dooboo Jigae (Hot Pepper Paste soup with Tilapia and Tofu)

Hiyah people!
I haven't been posting for a while because of my diet. But now, since I'm finally off the hook, I get to enjoy cooking again ;)
So this is a pretty light recipe, but will leave you feeling full any day. For the cooler nights of late August.

I don't like to specify amounts because I feel it's subjective (hey, how much gochujang you put in is up to you...can't force you to burn your mouth off ;) ) Anyways, I never cook by amounts unless when I'm baking, that's when I follow the recipe down to the letter.

Ingredients
Water
Tofu (1/3 of a block is good)
Kombu (Or any thick seaweed)
1 Tilapia filet
Gochujang (Korean hot pepper paste)
Dwenjang (Asian soybean paste)

Any kind of vegetables.

Soy sauce (to taste)*

1. Put cold water into a large pot, add dried kombu and diced tofu. Bring to a boil.
2. Add tilapia filet.
3. Add gochujang paste to taste. I usually add 2 tablespoons, I like it to be spicier.
4. Add any vegetables you prefer.
5. Add dwenjang if you think it needs more salt
6. Serve with soy sauce (diners can adjust soup savoriness to taste) and steamed white rice.

Homage to Halal

When you think of food in NY, what comes to mind? Bagels and cream cheese with lox? Junior cheesecake? One of the hidden jewels of the city lies in the vast web of halal food carts embedded in the streetcorners, their gas engines spewing out carbon monoxide and at the same time the delicious aroma of barbecued meat. What do you get when you put yellow rice, some meat, spices, veggies, white sauce, and hot sauce all together? Chicken/Lamb over rice!!

The experience: 

Open up your white plastic takeout box. Close your eyes and smell. Take the plastic fork and jab at a piece of lamb. Open your mouth and try it. Chew the crisp rind of the meat, and savor the flavoring that enhances with every bite. Pick up a forkful of yellow rice. Put it in your mouth and chew carefully, tasting the earthiness of the turmeric. Also, have a bite of the simple salad: shredded iceberg lettuce with a few slices of tomato, smothered with white sauce. Repeat the above process until there is nothing left. The food they offer is not expensive, yet honestly satisfying, without any pretension.

I haven't yet been to the "Great" 6th Avenue and 53St food cart yet, but from what I have tasted at different food carts throughout town, they all taste wonderful. And the hot sauce is really hot, but not enough for someone like me, a fire eater. 

Not going to give away the recipes!
They also have GYROS!!!!

Next time you try some when you come to New York!! $3-6 to pay for 30 minutes of foodie heaven.