Spicy and Flavorful: Super Simple Tuna Soft Tofu Stew
Spicy and Flavorful: Super Simple Tuna Soft Tofu Stew
How to Make Easy Soft Tofu Stew with Tuna: Recipe for a Delicious and Quick Meal
Craving a warm, comforting bowl of stew? This recipe for Tuna Soft Tofu Stew is perfect for those moments when you want something delicious and satisfying without needing a lot of special ingredients. You might have seen hearty seafood soft tofu stews bubbling on TV and felt inspired, only to realize you didn’t have seafood on hand. Fear not! Today, I’m sharing how to make a wonderfully simple tuna soft tofu stew, even without seafood or meat. The key ingredients are canned tuna, soft tofu, and chili oil. The seasoning relies on anchovy broth, fish sauce, and soy sauce for a deep savory flavor. If you’re short on time or don’t have anchovy broth, using a broth cube is a fantastic shortcut – I used one myself for this recipe! If you don’t have chili oil, you can easily make your own by stir-frying scallions in cooking oil until fragrant, then adding chili powder and cooking it down. Ready to make the easiest soft tofu stew with canned tuna? Let’s get started!
Ingredients- 2 Tbsp chili oil (or 2 Tbsp cooking oil + 1.5 Tbsp chili powder)
- 0.5 Tbsp chili powder
- 350ml anchovy broth (350ml water + 1 broth cube)
- 1 Tbsp crab soy sauce (or tuna extract, soy sauce)
- 1 Tbsp anchovy fish sauce
- 2/3 Tbsp soy sauce
- 0.5 Tbsp minced garlic
- Pinch of black pepper
- Scallions, chopped, for garnish
- 1 egg
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Gently rinse the soft tofu package under running water before opening. Once rinsed, carefully cut the package in half with a knife, then gently peel away the packaging. It’s a good idea to rinse it briefly after cutting to ensure no impurities from the knife get into the tofu.
Step 2
Cut the soft tofu into roughly 1.5cm to 2cm thick pieces. The thickness isn’t critical, so feel free to make large, rustic cuts. Lightly sprinkle some salt over the cut tofu pieces. This helps to draw out some of the excess water, making the tofu slightly firmer while you prepare the other ingredients.
Step 3
Drain the oil completely from the canned tuna. Canned goods can sometimes contain trace amounts of furan, which is volatile. Allowing the can to sit open for about 10 minutes before use helps to dissipate this. So, it’s a good tip to open the tuna can first when you start cooking.
Step 4
Finely mince 1/3 of an onion. Minced onion will add sweetness and depth to the broth.
Step 5
Thinly slice the scallions. You can separate the white and green parts if you like, but thinly slicing them works well for adding freshness and aroma to the stew.
Step 6
Mince 3 Korean green chilies (cheongyang peppers) for a spicy kick. You can adjust the amount or omit them if you prefer less heat or are cooking for children.
Step 7
Heat 2 tablespoons of chili oil in a pot. If you don’t have chili oil, you can use 2 tablespoons of cooking oil instead. If using cooking oil, you’ll add chili powder later to create your own chili oil infusion.
Step 8
Add the minced scallions, minced onion, and minced green chilies to the pot. Sauté over medium-low heat until fragrant and slightly softened. Stir-frying the aromatics well will release their sweetness and flavor.
Step 9
Once the vegetables are fragrant, add 0.5 tablespoon of chili powder and stir-fry quickly over low heat to prevent burning. (If using cooking oil to make chili oil, add 1.5 tablespoons of chili powder at this stage and stir-fry thoroughly.) Stir-frying the chili powder deepens its color and flavor.
Step 10
Pour in 350ml of anchovy broth. I used 350ml of water with 1 broth cube dissolved in it for convenience. Using anchovy broth will significantly enhance the umami base of your stew.
Step 11
Bring the broth to a simmer, then add the crab soy sauce (or alternative) and soy sauce. Let it simmer for a moment to allow the flavors to meld. If you don’t have crab soy sauce, tuna extract or regular soy sauce will also work wonderfully.
Step 12
Taste the broth and adjust the seasoning with salt if needed. Remember that the soft tofu will dilute the saltiness slightly, so aim for a slightly saltier taste than you might prefer initially. This ensures the final stew is perfectly seasoned.
Step 13
Finally, add the large pieces of soft tofu to the pot. Gently place the drained tuna and crack 1 egg on top. If you prefer your egg fully cooked, let it simmer longer. For a runnier yolk, add the egg just before turning off the heat and cook briefly. Your delicious Tuna Soft Tofu Stew is ready to enjoy!
