Delicious Braised Tofu: A True Rice Companion!
The Perfect Pair for White Rice! A Simple and Delicious Homemade Braised Tofu Recipe
Braised tofu is a satisfying side dish loved by everyone, young and old. The mild tofu absorbs the savory soy sauce-based seasoning, making you want to finish a whole bowl of rice! You can also add a little chili powder or gochujang to make it spicy, depending on your preference. This is a simple yet wonderful dish to serve with your meal.
Main Ingredients- 1 block firm tofu
- 1/3 cup water
- Pinch of salt
Savory Braising Sauce- 1/2 Tbsp minced garlic
- 1 Tbsp gochugaru (Korean chili flakes)
- 2 Tbsp soy sauce
- 1 Tbsp mirin (or rice wine)
- 1/2 stalk green onion, finely chopped
- 1/2 Tbsp sugar
- 1 Tbsp sesame oil
- 1/2 Tbsp minced garlic
- 1 Tbsp gochugaru (Korean chili flakes)
- 2 Tbsp soy sauce
- 1 Tbsp mirin (or rice wine)
- 1/2 stalk green onion, finely chopped
- 1/2 Tbsp sugar
- 1 Tbsp sesame oil
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, prepare one block of firm tofu. Drain all the water from the tofu and cut it into pieces about 2-3 cm thick, suitable for a side dish. Cutting it too thin can make it fall apart easily, so aim for a moderate thickness.
Step 2
Lay paper towels on a large plate or tray and place the cut tofu on top. Let it drain thoroughly. This step helps to firm up the tofu, prevent it from breaking, and allows the braising sauce to penetrate better. Lightly sprinkle salt over the drained tofu to season it.
Step 3
While the tofu is draining, let’s make the delicious braising sauce. In a bowl, combine 1/2 Tbsp minced garlic, 1 Tbsp gochugaru, 1 Tbsp mirin, 2 Tbsp soy sauce, 1/2 stalk finely chopped green onion, 1/2 Tbsp sugar, and 1 Tbsp sesame oil. Mix them well. At this point, you can add 2-3 Tbsp of water to achieve a good consistency for the sauce, as it can be quite thick.
Step 4
Heat a generous amount of cooking oil in a frying pan over medium-low heat. Carefully place the prepared tofu slices into the pan and fry them until they are golden brown on both sides. When the exterior is lightly browned, the tofu will become firmer and develop a richer flavor.
Step 5
Once the tofu is golden brown, use a spoon to ladle the prepared braising sauce little by little over each piece of tofu. This method helps the sauce to coat and penetrate the tofu evenly.
Step 6
Now it’s time to add water. Carefully pour about 1/3 cup of water into the pan, using a standard paper cup as a measure. This water will help to create a simmering liquid that allows the delicious sauce to seep into the tofu as it cooks.
Step 7
Let it simmer over medium-low heat until the sauce becomes slightly reduced and covers the tofu. Occasionally, gently flip the tofu pieces to ensure they are evenly coated with the sauce, or use a ladle to spoon the simmering sauce over the tofu. Continue this process as the sauce thickens and intensifies in flavor.
Step 8
Be careful not to let the sauce reduce too much and burn. Once it’s slightly thickened and has a nice glaze, turn off the heat. Transfer the finished braised tofu to a serving plate, and spoon any remaining delicious sauce from the pan over the top. Your braised tofu is now complete! Enjoy it with a warm bowl of white rice.
