Spicy and Sweet, Guaranteed Delicious! Super Easy Braised Tofu
Spicy and Sweet, Guaranteed Delicious! Super Easy Braised Tofu
Rice Thief Alert! Spicy, Sweet, and Fantastically Paired: An Easy Braised Tofu Recipe
Wondering what to make for side dishes today? With this delicious braised tofu, a whole meal will be ready in no time! The perfect balance of spicy and sweet flavors melds with the savory sauce, creating a top-tier rice accompaniment that everyone, young and old, will love. Here’s a magical recipe to create a wonderful meal with simple ingredients.
Main Ingredients- 1/2 block firm tofu (approx. 200g)
- 1 Korean chili pepper (Cheongyang pepper)
- 1/4 stalk green onion
Spicy and Sweet Braising Sauce- 3 Tbsp soy sauce
- 3 Tbsp cooking wine (Mirin)
- 1 Tbsp corn syrup
- 1 tsp sugar
- Pinch of black pepper
- 3 Tbsp soy sauce
- 3 Tbsp cooking wine (Mirin)
- 1 Tbsp corn syrup
- 1 tsp sugar
- Pinch of black pepper
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, gather your ingredients for today’s star dish: delicious braised tofu! You’ll need fresh tofu, a Korean chili pepper for a touch of spice, and green onions for aromatic flavor.
Step 2
Slice the tofu into bite-sized pieces, about 1.5cm thick. Place the sliced tofu on paper towels and gently press to absorb excess moisture. Removing moisture is key to prevent oil splattering while frying and to achieve a crispier texture.
Step 3
Heat a generous amount of cooking oil in a pan over medium-low heat. Carefully place the patted-dry tofu slices into the hot oil. Let them fry for about 2-3 minutes until one side is golden brown. This process firms up the tofu’s surface and adds a nutty flavor.
Step 4
Wash the green onion and thinly slice the white parts into small pieces, about 0.5cm thick. The fragrant aroma of the green onion will blend beautifully with the sauce, elevating the flavor of the braised tofu.
Step 5
Remove the stem from the Korean chili pepper and deseed it thoroughly. Then, thinly slice it, similar to the green onion. If you enjoy more spice, you can leave the seeds in. Alternatively, you can use regular chili peppers if Cheongyang peppers are unavailable.
Step 6
Now, let’s make the delicious sauce! In a bowl, combine 3 Tbsp soy sauce, 3 Tbsp cooking wine (Mirin), 1 Tbsp corn syrup for sweetness, and 1 tsp sugar for an extra touch of sweetness. Mix everything together until well combined. The savory soy sauce, sweet elements, and the flavor from the cooking wine will create a perfectly balanced sauce.
Step 7
Finally, add a pinch of black pepper to the sauce according to your preference. The subtle peppery kick will add depth and complexity to the braised tofu.
Step 8
Add the pre-sliced green onions and Korean chili peppers to the sauce mixture and gently stir. The aromatic green onions and spicy peppers will now be infused with the sauce, making it look even more appetizing.
Step 9
Flip the tofu slices in the pan and fry the other side until golden brown. Frying both sides ensures a delightful texture.
Step 10
Pour the prepared, flavorful sauce evenly over the nicely fried tofu slices. You can tilt the pan slightly to help the sauce coat all the tofu pieces.
Step 11
Once the sauce is added, avoid stirring the tofu. Let it simmer gently over medium heat for no more than 1 minute, allowing the sauce to absorb into the tofu. Be mindful of the heat to prevent burning; turn off the heat as soon as the sauce thickens slightly.
Step 12
Voila! Your delicious spicy and sweet braised tofu is ready. It’s absolutely heavenly served over a bowl of warm rice. Revive your appetite with this amazing braised tofu recipe right now!
