Delicious Braised Tofu (Altorean Im Seong-geun Recipe)
Highly Recommended Home-Cooked Dish! Altorean Chef Im Seong-geun’s Golden Braised Tofu Recipe
Tonight, create a special meal with Chef Im Seong-geun’s Altorean braised tofu recipe, a true rice thief! The chewy texture of the tofu and the spicy, sweet sauce are simply exquisite.
Main Ingredients- 1 block firm tofu
- 1/2 onion
- 1 stalk green onion
- Pinch of salt
- 1 red chili pepper (optional)
- 2 Korean green chili peppers
Braising Sauce Ingredients- 1.5 cups anchovy broth (approx. 300ml)
- 2 Tbsp anchovy sauce
- 2 Tbsp minced garlic
- 2 Tbsp corn syrup (or other liquid sweetener)
- 2 Tbsp soy sauce
- 3 Tbsp gochugaru (Korean chili powder)
- 3 Tbsp perilla oil
- 1.5 cups anchovy broth (approx. 300ml)
- 2 Tbsp anchovy sauce
- 2 Tbsp minced garlic
- 2 Tbsp corn syrup (or other liquid sweetener)
- 2 Tbsp soy sauce
- 3 Tbsp gochugaru (Korean chili powder)
- 3 Tbsp perilla oil
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, slice the block of tofu into bite-sized pieces, about 2cm thick. Place the sliced tofu on a paper towel and let it drain for about 5 minutes. Lightly sprinkling salt on the tofu can help firm it up, preventing it from breaking apart during cooking.
Step 2
Thinly slice the half onion. Slice the green onion stalk and the two Korean green chili peppers diagonally. If you have red chili peppers, slice them diagonally as well for added color. (Tip: You can substitute green onions with scallions or omit the Korean green chili peppers if you prefer less spice.)
Step 3
In a bowl, combine 1.5 cups of anchovy broth, 2 Tbsp anchovy sauce, 2 Tbsp minced garlic, 2 Tbsp corn syrup, 2 Tbsp soy sauce, 3 Tbsp gochugaru, and 3 Tbsp perilla oil. Mix well to create the braising sauce. Add the sliced onion, green onion, and chili peppers to the sauce and gently mix. Let the sauce sit for a bit to allow the flavors to meld.
Step 4
Heat a pan over medium heat and add a generous amount of cooking oil. Once the pan is hot, turn the heat to high. Place the drained tofu pieces in the hot oil and pan-fry them until golden brown on both sides, about 1 minute 30 seconds per side. This step helps to firm up the tofu’s exterior, ensuring it doesn’t crumble when braising and contributes to a chewy texture.
Step 5
Clean the pan or use a separate one. Add the golden-brown fried tofu and the prepared braising sauce. Reduce the heat to medium and let it simmer for about 5 minutes, allowing the sauce to reduce and coat the tofu evenly. Gently shake the pan or stir occasionally to prevent the sauce from burning.
Step 6
Once the sauce has thickened and beautifully coated the tofu, your delicious Altorean braised tofu is ready! It looks incredibly appetizing.
Step 7
While I usually make tofu dishes using Baek Jong-won’s recipes, Chef Im Seong-geun’s Altorean recipe offers a delightful variation. Alternating between these two recipes will keep your tofu dishes exciting and varied!
Step 8
The tofu, fried until golden brown, has a wonderfully chewy texture, and the spicy yet subtly sweet sauce is a perfect match for rice. Enjoy a satisfying and delightful meal tonight with this delicious braised tofu!
