Aromatic Tofu Braised with Wild Aster
Flavorful Tofu Braised with Abundant Wild Aster: No Other Side Dishes Needed! ‼️
This savory braised tofu, infused with the fragrant aroma of wild aster, is so delicious that you won’t need any other side dishes. Enjoy the tender tofu and aromatic aster by mixing them with rice. It’s a truly satisfying meal!
Main Ingredients
- 50g prepared wild aster (chrysanthemum greens)
- 1 block firm tofu
- 1/2 onion
- 1/2 green onion
Braising Sauce
- 3 Tbsp soy sauce
- 1 Tbsp fish sauce (or tuna extract)
- 1 Tbsp sesame oil
- 1 Tbsp sugar (adjust to taste)
- 3 Tbsp gochugaru (Korean chili flakes, adjust to spice preference)
- 1 Tbsp minced garlic
- 1/2 cup water (approx. 100ml)
- 3 Tbsp soy sauce
- 1 Tbsp fish sauce (or tuna extract)
- 1 Tbsp sesame oil
- 1 Tbsp sugar (adjust to taste)
- 3 Tbsp gochugaru (Korean chili flakes, adjust to spice preference)
- 1 Tbsp minced garlic
- 1/2 cup water (approx. 100ml)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, clean and trim 50g of fresh wild aster. Cut it into bite-sized pieces, about 3-4cm long. Preserving its unique fragrance is key to this dish.
Step 2
In a small bowl, combine 3 Tbsp soy sauce, 1 Tbsp fish sauce, 1 Tbsp sesame oil, 1 Tbsp sugar, 3 Tbsp gochugaru, and 1 Tbsp minced garlic. Mix well to create the braising sauce. Preparing the sauce in advance will save you time during cooking.
Step 3
Heat 1-2 Tbsp of cooking oil in a pan over medium heat. Slice the block of tofu into pieces about 2cm thick and place them in the hot pan. Sear each side until golden brown, flipping as needed. This step will firm up the tofu and add a nutty flavor.
Step 4
Once the tofu is nicely browned, push it slightly to one side of the pan. Add about half of the prepared braising sauce to the empty space in the pan and sauté briefly to release its aroma. Then, pour in 1/2 cup (approx. 100ml) of water and stir to dissolve the sauce.
Step 5
Arrange the prepared wild aster, thinly sliced 1/2 onion, and diagonally sliced 1/2 green onion attractively over the browned tofu. Adding plenty of vegetables will enhance the flavor.
Step 6
Add 1-2 Tbsp of water to the remaining braising sauce to thin it slightly. Scrape the bottom of the bowl to get all the sauce and pour it evenly over the vegetables and tofu. This ensures the sauce coats everything well.
Step 7
Cover the pan with a lid, reduce the heat to low, and let it simmer gently for about 5 minutes. Spooning some of the liquid over the ingredients occasionally will help distribute the flavors. When the wild aster’s fragrance has infused into the tofu and the sauce has thickened slightly, your delicious braised tofu with wild aster is ready. Enjoy it with a bowl of warm rice!
