Delicious and Savory Braised Tofu Recipe
The Essence of Home Cooking! Make a Rice Thief with Baek Jong-won’s Golden Recipe for Braised Tofu
Today, we’ll be making everyone’s favorite classic side dish: flavorful braised tofu! I’ll guide you through this magical recipe, inspired by Chef Baek Jong-won’s secrets, that makes a bowl of rice disappear with its spicy and sweet sauce that clings perfectly to each grain.
Main Ingredients
- 1 block of firm tofu (for pan-frying)
- 1/2 Korean green chili pepper (or hot pepper)
- 1/4 stalk of green onion, thinly sliced
- 1/4 onion, thinly sliced
Seasoning Sauce
- 2 Tbsp Gochugaru (Korean chili powder) (add 1 Tbsp more for spicier taste)
- 3 Tbsp Soy Sauce
- 1/2 Tbsp Sugar (adjust sweetness to your liking)
- 1/2 cup Water (standard paper cup)
- 2 Tbsp Gochugaru (Korean chili powder) (add 1 Tbsp more for spicier taste)
- 3 Tbsp Soy Sauce
- 1/2 Tbsp Sugar (adjust sweetness to your liking)
- 1/2 cup Water (standard paper cup)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Before starting to braise the tofu, it’s important to remove excess moisture. You can drain the tofu in a colander for a while, or gently press the tofu surface with paper towels. This helps prevent oil splattering when frying and makes the tofu crispier.
Step 2
Heat a frying pan over medium heat with a generous amount of cooking oil. Place the tofu slices and pan-fry until golden brown. Be cautious of oil splattering when placing the tofu; gently slide them in with a spatula or cover with a lid for safety. Fry until both sides are a beautiful golden color.
Step 3
While the tofu is frying, let’s prepare the delicious seasoning sauce. In a bowl, combine 2 tablespoons of gochugaru, 3 tablespoons of soy sauce, 1/2 tablespoon of sugar, and about half a paper cup of water. Mix well. You can adjust the amount of sugar or gochugaru according to your preference for a more personalized flavor.
Step 4
Once the sauce is ready, arrange the pan-fried tofu nicely in the pan. Pour the prepared sauce evenly over the tofu. Then, artfully arrange the thinly sliced green onions, sliced onions, and chopped Korean green chili peppers (seeds removed) on top of the sauce. This adds beautiful color and enhances the flavor.
Step 5
Now, reduce the heat to low, cover with a lid, and simmer for about 5-7 minutes until the sauce thickens and reduces to a savory glaze. Periodically spoon the sauce over the tofu while it simmers to ensure the flavors penetrate deeply. Simmer until the sauce coats the tofu beautifully.
Step 6
Voila! Your delicious braised tofu, a true ‘rice thief’, is ready. This easy-to-make home-style dish is incredibly delicious served over a bowl of hot rice. Be sure to give this recipe a try for your next meal!
