Braised Tofu
Braised tofu is a delicious Chinese side dish with sweet and spicy flavors. This restaurant style tofu side dish is vegan, gluten free and very easy to make at home. If you have firm tofu handy, this dish gets ready in minutes. A perfect side dish with fried rice, noodles, pho and also a wonderful snack!
Servings: 3
Calories: 221kcal
Ingredients
- 200 grams tofu sliced into cubes
- 4 tablespoons toasted sesame oil divided
- 1 big onion cubed
- 1 tablespoon minced ginger garlic
- 1/4 cup sesame seeds
- 2 teaspoons chili flakes
For the sauce
- 2 tablespoons light soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon dark soy sauce
- 1 tabespoon brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon vinegar
Instructions
Preparing tofu
- If your tofu block is refrigerated thaw it for few minutes. Rinse the block of tofu in cold running water thoroughly. Wipe off with a clean kitchen towel. Cut into 1/4 inch thick slabs or cubes.
- Heat a flat cast iron pan or wok with 2 tablespoons sesame oil. Place the tofu cubes and set the flame to medium high. Gently fry the tofu cubes from all sides until golden brown and crispy.
- Remove to a paper towel and set aside until use.
How to make braised tofu
- Now let’s prepare the sauce for braising the tofu.
- Heat 2 tablespoons toasted oil in a wok. I used the same oil and pan used for frying tofu.
- Add minced ginger garlic and sesame seeds. Saute in high heat for a minute.
- Add chili flakes, cubed onions and saute for 2 minutes. Add 3/4 cup water and let it sizzle.
- Now add soy sauce, vinegar, brown sugar and salt to taste. Let the sauce bubble and thicken for 2 minutes.
- Add the pan fried tofu cubes and braise quickly for 2 minutes.
- Add scallion greens and mix. Serve braised tofu warm.
Notes
To make the recipe with more sauce- Just increase water by another 1/4 cup and stir in 2 teaspoons of corn flour slurry (2 teaspoons corn four mixed in 1 tablespoon cold water) and let the sauce simmer for 3-4 minutes.
Adjust the seasoning to your taste- feel free to vary the quantity of sauces to your taste. You can also add 1 tablespoon vegetarian oyster sauce, hot sauce or siracha sauce for more flavor.
Storage- This recipe tastes best when served immedietly. I do not recommend making this ahead.
Serving Suggestions- Braised tofu is a perfect side dish for Asian mains like Chinese fried rice, schezwan noodles etc. You can also serve this snack
Nutrition
Serving: 3g | Calories: 221kcal