Braised Tofu and Green Chili Peppers: A Perfect Harmony of Softness and Crunch
Silken Tofu Meets Crispy Green Chili Peppers: The Irresistible Tofu and Green Chili Braise, a Rice Thief
Tofu is a dish I never tire of, and being a PopFree partner has allowed me to enjoy it even more frequently. My garden is currently yielding an abundance of green chili peppers, so I’ve generously added them to this tofu braise. The result is a delightful dish featuring incredibly soft, silken tofu complemented by the crisp texture of green chili peppers. The tender tofu practically melts in your mouth, while the green chilies add a playful burst of flavor and texture, making it hard to stop eating.
Main Ingredients- 2 packs Tofu (160g x 2)
- 20 Green Chili Peppers
- 1/2 Onion
- 1 Green Onion
- 2 Red Chili Peppers
Frying Oil- 1 Tbsp Cooking Oil
- 1 Tbsp Perilla Oil
Braising Sauce Ingredients- 1 Tbsp Gochugaru (Korean chili flakes)
- 1 Tbsp Soy Sauce
- 1 Tbsp Fish Sauce (or anchovy sauce)
- 1 Tbsp Minced Garlic
- 1 Tbsp Plum Extract (or syrup)
- 1 Tbsp Oligodang (corn syrup)
- 1 cup Water (or dashi broth)
- 1 Tbsp Cooking Oil
- 1 Tbsp Perilla Oil
Braising Sauce Ingredients- 1 Tbsp Gochugaru (Korean chili flakes)
- 1 Tbsp Soy Sauce
- 1 Tbsp Fish Sauce (or anchovy sauce)
- 1 Tbsp Minced Garlic
- 1 Tbsp Plum Extract (or syrup)
- 1 Tbsp Oligodang (corn syrup)
- 1 cup Water (or dashi broth)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Slice the tofu into approximately 0.7-1cm thick pieces. (Note: 1 block of regular tofu is roughly equivalent in volume to 2 blocks of PopFree tofu.)
Step 2
Heat a mix of cooking oil and perilla oil in a pan over medium-low heat. Place the tofu slices, ensuring they don’t overlap, and pan-fry until golden brown on both sides. Handle the tofu gently to prevent it from breaking apart. (While salting the tofu beforehand can make it firmer, we’re skipping this step to preserve its soft texture.)
Step 3
In a separate bowl, combine all the braising sauce ingredients: gochugaru, soy sauce, fish sauce, minced garlic, plum extract, oligodang, and water. Mix well to create the sauce. (Black sesame seeds can be used for garnish if desired.)
Step 4
Pan-frying the tofu with a combination of cooking oil and perilla oil adds a richer, nuttier flavor compared to using just cooking oil.
Step 5
Once the tofu is nicely browned, arrange the sliced onion and red chili peppers on top. Pour the prepared braising sauce over the ingredients. Once the sauce begins to simmer and reduce slightly, artfully place the whole green chili peppers on top.
Step 6
Just before turning off the heat, drizzle a bit of sesame oil over the dish for an extra layer of nutty aroma and flavor. This completes the dish.
Step 7
The resulting tofu and green chili braise is incredibly delicious, featuring the savory softness of the tofu and the satisfying crunch of the green chili peppers.
Step 8
This tender and flavorful tofu braise is so satisfying that you’ll never get tired of it – truly a ‘rice thief’!
Step 9
Perfect as a hearty side dish for rice or an excellent accompaniment to drinks, I highly recommend you try making this tofu and green chili braise!
Step 10
With its uncomplicated recipe and simple ingredients, this green chili and tofu braise is so addictive that your chopsticks will be moving at lightning speed.
