Smoked Duck and Tofu Stew: The Ultimate One-Pan Meal for Lazy Days!
Effortless One-Pan Wonder: Smoked Duck and Tofu Stew Recipe
After months of staying home, the daily routine of preparing three meals a day can start to feel overwhelming. If you’ve lost your appetite and don’t feel like cooking, this simple Smoked Duck and Tofu Stew, made with ingredients from your fridge, is the perfect solution. You might not feel like eating rice initially, but you’ll likely find yourself mixing the flavorful sauce with rice and finishing the entire bowl! It’s also a fantastic accompaniment to drinks.
Main Ingredients- 1 block firm tofu (approx. 350g)
- 120g smoked duck breast
- 1/4 onion
- 3 Korean chili peppers (cheongyang peppers)
- 1 Tbsp cooking oil
Seasoning- 2 Tbsp gochugaru (Korean chili flakes)
- 2 Tbsp soy sauce
- 1 Tbsp minced garlic
- 1 Tbsp plum extract (maesilcheong)
- 1 Tbsp cooking wine (mirin or similar)
- 1/2 Tbsp anchovy sauce or fish sauce (chamchi-aek)
- 1 Tbsp perilla oil (deulgireum)
- 1 Tbsp sesame seeds
- 2 Tbsp gochugaru (Korean chili flakes)
- 2 Tbsp soy sauce
- 1 Tbsp minced garlic
- 1 Tbsp plum extract (maesilcheong)
- 1 Tbsp cooking wine (mirin or similar)
- 1/2 Tbsp anchovy sauce or fish sauce (chamchi-aek)
- 1 Tbsp perilla oil (deulgireum)
- 1 Tbsp sesame seeds
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Drain the tofu and cut it into bite-sized pieces, about 1.5cm thick. Cutting them slightly thicker will prevent them from breaking apart and enhance the texture.
Step 2
Slice the smoked duck into bite-sized pieces (about 1cm). Finely chop the Korean chili peppers and onion. The chili peppers will add a spicy kick, while the onion contributes sweetness and depth of flavor.
Step 3
Heat the cooking oil in a pan over medium heat. Add the minced garlic, chopped onion, and sliced smoked duck. Sauté until the duck releases its fat and the onion becomes translucent.
Step 4
Once the onion is translucent, push the sautéed ingredients to one side of the pan. Place the cut tofu pieces into the empty space and pan-fry until golden brown on each side. Cook over medium heat, turning gently.
Step 5
After one side of the tofu is golden brown, carefully flip the pieces with a spatula to brown the other side. Lightly pan-frying the tofu before adding the sauce helps it hold its shape and absorb flavors better.
Step 6
Once the tofu is nicely browned, add all the seasoning ingredients (gochugaru, soy sauce, anchovy sauce, plum extract, cooking wine) to the pan. Mix everything together with the onion and smoked duck that were pushed aside, stirring to coat the tofu evenly as it cooks and the sauce thickens slightly.
Step 7
As the sauce thickens and becomes slightly saucy, add the chopped Korean chili peppers and let it simmer for another minute. Just before turning off the heat, drizzle with perilla oil and sprinkle with sesame seeds for an aromatic finish.
Step 8
If you want to minimize cleanup, serve this delicious Smoked Duck and Tofu Stew directly from the pan to your table! It makes a satisfying meal, especially when mixed with a bowl of rice.
