Savory Pan-Fried Tofu with Perilla Oil
[Single-Person Household Recipe] Healthy and Delicious Pan-Fried Tofu with Perilla Oil
Hello, I’m a bread-lover living alone! This recipe is perfectly portioned for one and features a simple, easy-to-follow method. Enjoy a healthy and flavorful meal made just for you.
Main Ingredients- 1/2 block Tofu (approx. 150-200g)
- 1/3 tsp Salt
- 1 Tbsp Perilla oil
- 1 Tbsp Cooking oil
Seasoning Sauce- A little Green onion (white part, finely chopped)
- 1/2 Cheongyang chili pepper (optional, seeds removed and finely minced)
- 3 Tbsp Soy sauce
- 1 Tbsp Gochugaru (Korean chili flakes)
- 1 Tbsp Whole or ground perilla seeds
- A little Green onion (white part, finely chopped)
- 1/2 Cheongyang chili pepper (optional, seeds removed and finely minced)
- 3 Tbsp Soy sauce
- 1 Tbsp Gochugaru (Korean chili flakes)
- 1 Tbsp Whole or ground perilla seeds
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, cut the tofu into bite-sized pieces, about 1 to 1.5 cm thick. Gently pat the surface of the cut tofu dry with paper towels. This step is crucial to prevent the tofu from breaking apart and to achieve a crispier texture when fried. Once dried, sprinkle 1/3 teaspoon of salt evenly over the tofu and let it sit for about 5 minutes to draw out excess moisture and season it lightly.
Step 2
It’s ideal to start salting the tofu about 10 minutes before you plan to fry it. Now, heat a frying pan over medium heat. Add 1 tablespoon of perilla oil and 1 tablespoon of cooking oil to the pan and let it get hot. Perilla oil can burn easily, so combining it with cooking oil helps raise its smoke point and ensures a delicious fry.
Step 3
Carefully place the tofu pieces into the hot pan, with the salted side facing down. Let them cook over medium-low heat without disturbing them. This allows the tofu to develop a beautiful golden-brown crust and enhance its flavor. Aim to cook each side for about 3-4 minutes.
Step 4
Once one side is nicely golden and firm, carefully flip the tofu pieces and cook the other side until it’s also golden brown. Continue cooking until the tofu is evenly browned and slightly crisp on all sides.
Step 5
While the tofu is frying, let’s prepare the seasoning sauce. Finely chop the green onion, focusing on the white parts. If you enjoy a bit of heat, finely mince half a Cheongyang chili pepper after removing the seeds. This will add a nice kick to the sauce.
Step 6
In a small bowl, combine 3 tablespoons of soy sauce, 1 tablespoon of gochugaru (Korean chili flakes), and 1 tablespoon of whole or ground perilla seeds. The nutty aroma of the perilla seeds will significantly elevate the taste of your pan-fried tofu.
Step 7
Add the chopped green onions and minced Cheongyang chili pepper (if using) to the bowl with the sauce ingredients. Stir everything together thoroughly until well combined. You’ll have a delicious sauce with a savory, spicy, and nutty profile.
Step 8
Arrange the golden-brown pan-fried tofu on a plate. Spoon the prepared seasoning sauce generously over the tofu. This dish makes a wonderful side for rice or a satisfying snack. Enjoy your delicious and healthy pan-fried tofu with perilla oil!
