Spicy Braised Tofu Recipe (Baek Jong-won Style)
Spicy Braised Tofu Recipe (Baek Jong-won Style)
Perfect for When You Have No Appetite! Baek Jong-won’s Spicy Braised Tofu
Make delicious braised tofu with an economical block of tofu! This is Baek Jong-won’s recipe, packed with chili powder for a spicy kick that stimulates your appetite. It’s the perfect side dish that will have you reaching for more rice.
Main Ingredients- 1 block firm tofu (approx. 300-350g)
Seasoning & Other Ingredients- 1 Tbsp fermented shrimp paste (minced)
- 2 Tbsp coarse chili powder (you can mix with regular chili powder for a milder heat)
- 2 Tbsp soy sauce
- 1/2 tsp ground ginger or minced fresh ginger
- 180ml water (about 1 cup)
- 1 Tbsp perilla oil
- 1 Korean chili pepper (seeded and finely chopped)
- 60g green onion (white and green parts separated, finely chopped)
- 1/2 Tbsp minced garlic
- 1 Tbsp fermented shrimp paste (minced)
- 2 Tbsp coarse chili powder (you can mix with regular chili powder for a milder heat)
- 2 Tbsp soy sauce
- 1/2 tsp ground ginger or minced fresh ginger
- 180ml water (about 1 cup)
- 1 Tbsp perilla oil
- 1 Korean chili pepper (seeded and finely chopped)
- 60g green onion (white and green parts separated, finely chopped)
- 1/2 Tbsp minced garlic
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, cut the tofu into 1cm thick slices. If you use firm tofu, it will be easier to cut without crumbling.
Step 2
Finely chop the green onions, separating the white and green parts. Have them ready for cooking.
Step 3
Finely chop the Korean chili pepper after removing the seeds. Adjust the quantity based on your spice preference, or substitute with a regular green pepper.
Step 4
Now, let’s make the braising sauce. Arrange the sliced tofu at the bottom of a frying pan. Add the minced fermented shrimp paste, coarse chili powder, soy sauce, ginger, minced garlic, and water. (Do not add the perilla oil yet!)
Step 5
Bring the mixture to a boil over medium heat, basting the tofu with the sauce frequently. The flavors will meld beautifully as it simmers.
Step 6
Once boiling, continue to simmer, spooning the sauce over the tofu. The more you baste and reduce the sauce, the deeper the flavor will penetrate the tofu. You can adjust the reduction to your liking, but it’s best to keep it slightly moist.
Step 7
When the sauce has reduced by about half, lower the heat to low and stir in the perilla oil. This adds a wonderful nutty aroma. Your delicious braised tofu is ready to serve! (You can also add the chopped green onions and chili pepper at this stage and simmer for another minute or two.)
