Savory Soy Sauce Braised Tofu: A Simple Side Dish Recipe
Super Easy Soy Sauce Braised Tofu Recipe!
This is a recipe for very simple soy sauce braised tofu. It’s a dish that’s perfect as a staple side for any meal, offering a delightful balance of savory and sweet flavors.
Ingredients
- 1 block firm tofu
- 2 Tbsp sesame oil
- 2 Tbsp cooking oil
- 1 Tbsp minced garlic
- 4 Tbsp soy sauce
- 4 Tbsp water
- 1 Tbsp sugar
- 1 Tbsp plum extract (or syrup)
- 1/2 stalk green onion, finely chopped
- 1 Tbsp toasted sesame seeds
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, please check and prepare all the ingredients needed for the dish. Drain the tofu and finely chop the green onion.
Step 2
To make the delicious soy sauce mixture, start by adding 1 tablespoon of minced garlic into a bowl, preferably one with some depth.
Step 3
Next, add 4 tablespoons of soy sauce, which forms the base of the savory flavor.
Step 4
Add 4 tablespoons of water, roughly the same amount as the soy sauce, to adjust the consistency of the sauce. This helps the tofu absorb the flavors well.
Step 5
Add 1 tablespoon of sugar for a touch of sweetness. Feel free to adjust the sugar amount to your preference.
Step 6
Also add 1 tablespoon of plum extract (or plum syrup) for a sweet and tangy flavor, and a nice glaze. If you don’t have plum extract, you can substitute it with corn syrup or rice syrup.
Step 7
Finely chop half a stalk of green onion. The fresh aroma of the green onion will blend beautifully with the sauce, making the dish even more delicious.
Step 8
Now, add all the finely chopped green onions to the prepared sauce mixture. Making the sauce ahead of time like this will help shorten your cooking time.
Step 9
Cut the block of tofu into bite-sized pieces, about 2 cm thick. After slicing, gently press the tofu with paper towels to remove excess moisture. This step is crucial to prevent oil splattering when frying and to achieve a nicely browned exterior.
Step 10
Heat 2 tablespoons of cooking oil in a wide frying pan over medium heat. Controlling the heat is important to ensure the tofu browns nicely without burning.
Step 11
Add 2 tablespoons of sesame oil to the pan along with the cooking oil for an added nutty aroma. It’s best to add sesame oil with cooking oil to prevent it from burning easily.
Step 12
Now, carefully place the drained tofu pieces into the frying pan. Cook them over very low heat until they are lightly golden brown on the surface. Cooking slowly over low heat prevents the tofu from burning and keeps the inside tender.
Step 13
Once one side of the tofu pieces turns a nice golden brown, pour the prepared soy sauce mixture evenly over the tofu. Now, increase the heat to medium and let the sauce simmer and thicken.
Step 14
Continue cooking over medium heat until the sauce has reduced and coated the tofu nicely. Gently swirling the pan occasionally will help prevent the sauce from sticking to the bottom and ensure the tofu is evenly glazed.
Step 15
When the sauce has thickened and coated the tofu with a beautiful sheen, transfer it to a serving dish. Finally, sprinkle 1 tablespoon of toasted sesame seeds on top for an extra nutty flavor. Your delicious soy sauce braised tofu is now ready to enjoy!
