Golden Recipe! Delicious Braised Tofu
Golden Recipe! Delicious Braised Tofu
The Best Side Dish for Home Meals! Delicious Braised Tofu with Perfect Seasoning
Whip up a simple yet incredibly flavorful braised tofu, a staple side dish that pairs perfectly with rice, using just a few basic ingredients from your pantry. This recipe features a golden ratio of seasoning that the whole family will love. Enjoy the delightful contrast of slightly crisped exterior and tender interior tofu, infused with a rich, savory sauce.
Main Ingredients- 2 blocks firm tofu (for pan-frying or stew)
- 1 stalk scallion (approx. 20cm)
- 5 Tbsp cooking oil
- 3 Tbsp sesame oil (for coating tofu + seasoning)
Braised Tofu Seasoning- 3 Tbsp soy sauce
- 0.5 Tbsp soup soy sauce (or regular soy sauce)
- 1 Tbsp sesame oil
- 3 Tbsp gochugaru (Korean chili flakes, adjust to taste)
- 1 Tbsp sugar (adjust to taste)
- 2 Tbsp minced garlic
- 1 Tbsp toasted sesame seeds
- 3 Tbsp soy sauce
- 0.5 Tbsp soup soy sauce (or regular soy sauce)
- 1 Tbsp sesame oil
- 3 Tbsp gochugaru (Korean chili flakes, adjust to taste)
- 1 Tbsp sugar (adjust to taste)
- 2 Tbsp minced garlic
- 1 Tbsp toasted sesame seeds
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, prepare 2 blocks of tofu. Drain the tofu on a sieve and lightly pat dry with paper towels. Cut the tofu into uniform pieces, about 1.5-2cm thick. Heat 5 Tbsp of cooking oil in a frying pan over medium heat. Pan-fry the tofu pieces until golden brown on both sides. To prevent the tofu from breaking, avoid flipping it too often; let one side cook thoroughly before flipping just once.
Step 2
Finely chop the scallion (about 20cm long). You can use both the white and green parts. Adding chopped scallions during cooking will enhance the aromatic flavor.
Step 3
Now, let’s make the delicious seasoning for the braised tofu. In a bowl, combine 3 Tbsp of soy sauce and 0.5 Tbsp of soup soy sauce. Using a mix of these two soy sauces adds a deeper umami flavor.
Step 4
Add 1 Tbsp of sesame oil to the seasoning mix for a nutty aroma. While you can drizzle sesame oil at the end, mixing it in beforehand helps to fully infuse the flavor.
Step 5
Add 1 Tbsp of sugar to balance the sweetness of the sauce. You can adjust the sugar level according to your preference.
Step 6
Generously add 2 Tbsp of minced garlic. The pungent flavor of garlic will enrich the overall taste of the sauce.
Step 7
Stir in 3 Tbsp of gochugaru for a mild spicy kick. If you’re making this for children, you can reduce or omit the gochugaru.
Step 8
Finally, add 1 Tbsp of toasted sesame seeds for extra nuttiness. Crushing the seeds slightly before adding them will release more aroma.
Step 9
Combine all the prepared seasoning ingredients in the bowl and mix well with a spoon or spatula until a smooth sauce is formed. Ensure there are no clumps.
Step 10
In a heated wok or deep frying pan, add the remaining 1 Tbsp of sesame oil. Arrange one block of the pan-fried tofu pieces neatly at the bottom. Then, spoon about half of the prepared seasoning sauce evenly over the tofu.
Step 11
Layer the second block of tofu on top of the first layer, or arrange them side by side.
Step 12
Pour the remaining seasoning sauce evenly over the tofu. Reduce the heat to low. Once the braised tofu starts to simmer, let it cook, stirring occasionally to prevent the sauce from burning. Be mindful not to overcook, as the sauce can burn easily.
Step 13
This recipe involves braising the tofu using only the seasoning sauce, without adding water. When braising without water, the sauce can scorch easily. To prevent this and add extra richness, you can drizzle a little more sesame oil around the edges of the pan. Maintaining low heat is crucial. Cook until the sauce has well penetrated the tofu and reached your desired consistency, then turn off the heat.
Step 14
Your delicious braised tofu, generously coated with savory seasoning, is now ready! This satisfying home-style side dish is perfect for enjoying with a bowl of rice. It’s a simple yet nutritious dish that makes for a perfect meal accompaniment.
