Hearty Home-Style Braised Tofu and Spam with Radish
Hearty Home-Style Braised Tofu and Spam with Radish
Ultimate Guide to Braised Tofu, Spam, and Radish: Delicious Braising Sauce Recipe for Tofu Dishes
Today, we’re bringing together some delicious ingredients to create a flavorful braised dish! You don’t have to use all the ingredients listed; feel free to use what you have on hand to make this wonderful meal!
Main Ingredients- 800g Korean radish (cut into bite-sized pieces, about 1.5cm thick)
- 3 medium potatoes (sliced thinly, about 0.7cm thick)
- 1 onion (sliced)
- 1 can Spam (approximately 1.5 cans worth, sliced into 1.5cm thick pieces)
- 1 block firm tofu (cut into 1.5cm thick pieces)
- 2 Tbsp green onions (chopped)
Braising Sauce- 4 Tbsp Gochugaru (Korean chili powder)
- 1.5 Tbsp minced garlic
- 3 Tbsp Oligodang (corn syrup) or honey (adjust to taste)
- 8 Tbsp soy sauce
- 2 Tbsp fish sauce (for added umami)
- 2 Tbsp Mirin (rice wine for cooking)
- 600ml water
- 4 Tbsp Gochugaru (Korean chili powder)
- 1.5 Tbsp minced garlic
- 3 Tbsp Oligodang (corn syrup) or honey (adjust to taste)
- 8 Tbsp soy sauce
- 2 Tbsp fish sauce (for added umami)
- 2 Tbsp Mirin (rice wine for cooking)
- 600ml water
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, peel the Korean radish (800g) using a peeler and cut it into bite-sized pieces, about 1.5cm thick. The tenderness of the radish is key to a great braised dish!
Step 2
Similarly, cut the firm tofu (1 block) into 1.5cm thick pieces. Ensure they are not too thin to prevent them from breaking apart during cooking.
Step 3
For the Spam, use about 1.5 cans, sliced into 1.5cm thick pieces. This thickness ensures it cooks evenly with the other ingredients.
Step 4
The potatoes (3 medium) add a lovely soft texture to this braise. Slice them thinly, about 0.7cm thick, so they cook well alongside the radish.
Step 5
Slice the onion (1) and use it to line the bottom of your pot. The onion will caramelize as it cooks, adding sweetness and preventing the other ingredients from sticking.
Step 6
Arrange the prepared Korean radish (800g) neatly on top of the onions. Layering the radish allows it to absorb the braising liquid evenly, enhancing the flavor.
Step 7
Next, add the sliced potatoes on top of the radish. Layering these denser ingredients first helps them cook through as the dish simmers.
Step 8
Now, let’s make the flavorful braising sauce. In a bowl, combine 4 Tbsp Gochugaru, 1.5 Tbsp minced garlic, 3 Tbsp Oligodang, 8 Tbsp soy sauce, 2 Tbsp fish sauce, and 2 Tbsp Mirin. Mix everything well. You can adjust the sweetness by modifying the amount of Oligodang.
Step 9
Evenly pour the prepared braising sauce over the layered ingredients (onion, radish, potatoes) in the pot. Make sure to distribute it thoroughly so all ingredients get coated.
Step 10
Next, pour in 600ml of water, distributing it evenly over the sauce and ingredients. The liquid should mostly cover the ingredients.
Step 11
Cover the pot and bring it to a boil over medium-high heat. Once boiling, reduce the heat to medium and let it simmer for about 15 minutes. This initial simmering helps the radish and potatoes soften.
Step 12
After 15 minutes, when the radish and potatoes are partially tender, it’s time to add the soft tofu and flavorful Spam.
Step 13
Add the tofu and Spam, then continue to simmer over medium heat for another 15 minutes. Handle the tofu gently to prevent it from breaking apart.
Step 14
The key to a great braise is basting! Periodically, use a ladle to spoon the simmering liquid over the ingredients. This process ensures the flavors penetrate deeply into all the components, making the dish much more delicious.
Step 15
Once the radish and potatoes are tender enough to be easily pierced with a fork, add the chopped green onions. Their fresh, sharp flavor will enhance the overall taste of the braise.
Step 16
Continue to simmer gently after adding the green onions until the sauce has reduced to your desired consistency. Your hearty and delicious braised tofu and Spam with radish is now ready! This dish is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser and a perfect companion to a bowl of rice!
