Lovely Heart-Shaped Perilla Leaf Tofu Fritters
Lovely Heart-Shaped Perilla Leaf Tofu Fritters
Make Delicious Lunchbox Side Dishes with Beautiful Heart-Shaped Perilla Leaf Tofu Fritters
These adorable heart-shaped perilla leaf and tofu fritters are a feast for the eyes! Perfect for lunchboxes, their beautiful design will surely bring a smile. Enjoy the delightful combination of crispy exterior, tender tofu, and fragrant perilla leaves.
Ingredients- 1 block Tofu (approx. 300-400g)
- About 10 Perilla Leaves
- 2 Eggs
- 1 Tbsp Cooking Sake (Mirin, etc.)
- Pinch of Salt
- 5 Tbsp Starch (Potato or Corn)
- Generous amount of Cooking Oil
- A little Sesame Oil
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, prepare all the ingredients for the recipe. Make sure to wash the perilla leaves thoroughly.
Step 2
Cut the tofu into bite-sized pieces, about 2cm x 3cm. Sprinkle a pinch of salt over the cut tofu and let it sit for a moment to season. This helps to draw out excess moisture, making the tofu firmer and more flavorful.
Step 3
Crack the eggs into a bowl. Gently beat them, removing any chalaza (the stringy bits attached to the yolk), which will result in a smoother texture when cooked. To the beaten eggs, add 1 tablespoon of cooking sake to eliminate any eggy smell, and a pinch of salt for seasoning. Mix well to prepare the egg wash.
Step 4
Let’s create beautiful heart shapes with the fragrant perilla leaves! Trim the stems from the perilla leaves. Fold each leaf in half, and then use scissors to carefully cut a curved shape from the folded edge towards the stem. When unfolded, you’ll have lovely heart-shaped perilla leaves. Prepare several of these.
Step 5
Take the salted tofu and press it firmly with paper towels to remove as much moisture as possible. Removing excess water is crucial for ensuring the fritters don’t fall apart during cooking and achieve a crispy texture.
Step 6
Coat the dried tofu pieces thinly and evenly with starch on both sides. Lightly tap off any excess starch. This starch coating will help the egg wash adhere better.
Step 7
Dip the starch-coated tofu into the prepared egg wash, ensuring both sides are fully coated. Gently tap off any excess egg from the tofu.
Step 8
Now, let’s heat the pan. Once the pan is hot, add a generous amount of cooking oil and a little sesame oil for added aroma. Reduce the heat to low. Carefully place the egg-coated tofu pieces into the pan one by one. Maintaining low heat is key to prevent burning.
Step 9
Lightly dust the rough side (the side that will attach to the tofu) of your heart-shaped perilla leaves with a small amount of starch. This will help the leaves adhere better to the tofu.
Step 10
Once the tofu on the pan begins to set slightly, gently place one heart-shaped perilla leaf onto the top of each tofu piece. Lightly press the leaf to ensure it sticks well.
Step 11
Flip the fritters and cook until they are golden brown and beautifully cooked on both sides. Be careful not to overcook the side with the perilla leaf; a brief cooking time will help maintain its vibrant green color. Once both sides are golden, your perilla leaf tofu fritters are ready!
Step 12
A tip for even more beautiful and delicious heart-shaped perilla leaf tofu fritters: Cook slowly over low heat to ensure they cook through without burning. Especially, cook the side with the perilla leaf only briefly to preserve its fresh color and aroma. Enjoy your lovingly made heart-shaped perilla leaf tofu fritters!
