Crispy Bean Sprout and Fried Tofu Rice Bowl
[One-Bowl Meal] A Delectable Dish to Awaken Your Appetite: Fried Bean Sprout and Tofu Rice Bowl Recipe
Have you ever tried stir-frying bean sprouts instead of just blanching or making them into soup? When stir-fried, bean sprouts retain their crisp texture, making them even more delicious, and they absorb sauces beautifully, offering a richer flavor. This healthy rice bowl features flavorful fried tofu with a chewy, meat-like texture, plump shrimp from your freezer, and leftover vegetables from your fridge. It’s a light yet satisfying meal with abundant textures. The ‘Crunchy Bean Sprout and Fried Tofu Rice Bowl’ is a delightful dish, starting with the satisfying crunch, perfect for everyone.
Ingredients- 3-4 sheets of square fried tofu (aburaage)
- Generous 1 handful of fresh bean sprouts
- 10-12 frozen shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 1 green chili pepper
- 1 red chili pepper
- 1/3 onion
- 1 handful of mushrooms (shiitake, oyster, etc.)
- 2-3 stalks of scallions
- Olive oil or cooking oil
- 2 bowls of warm cooked rice
Sauce- 1-1.5 Tbsp oyster sauce
- 0.5-1 Tbsp soy sauce
- 0.5 tsp dried anchovy powder
- 1/2 tsp ginger syrup (or sugar/oligosaccharide)
- Pinch of salt
- Pinch of black pepper
- Pinch of sesame seeds
- 1 tsp sesame oil
- 2/3 ladle of water (approx. 60-80ml)
Shrimp Marinade- 1 bowl of lightly salted water (1 cup water + 1/2 tsp salt)
- Pinch of salt
- Pinch of black pepper
- 1 tsp cooking sake or mirin
- 1-1.5 Tbsp oyster sauce
- 0.5-1 Tbsp soy sauce
- 0.5 tsp dried anchovy powder
- 1/2 tsp ginger syrup (or sugar/oligosaccharide)
- Pinch of salt
- Pinch of black pepper
- Pinch of sesame seeds
- 1 tsp sesame oil
- 2/3 ladle of water (approx. 60-80ml)
Shrimp Marinade- 1 bowl of lightly salted water (1 cup water + 1/2 tsp salt)
- Pinch of salt
- Pinch of black pepper
- 1 tsp cooking sake or mirin
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Gently thaw the frozen shrimp in cold water. Pat them dry with paper towels. In a bowl, combine the shrimp with a pinch of salt, black pepper, and cooking sake (or mirin). Mix well and let it marinate while you prepare the other ingredients for enhanced flavor.
Step 2
Rinse the fresh bean sprouts thoroughly under running water. Drain them well in a colander. This step is crucial for removing any earthy smell and ensuring a crisp texture.
Step 3
Blanch the square fried tofu in boiling water for about 30 seconds to 1 minute. This helps remove excess oil and any potential freezer odor, leading to a cleaner taste. After blanching, rinse them under cold water and squeeze out all the excess moisture.
Step 4
Once the fried tofu is squeezed dry, cut it into strips about 1 cm wide.
Step 5
Remove the seeds from the green and red chili peppers and slice them thinly into strips. Slice the onion and mushrooms into similar-sized strips for even cooking.
Step 6
Cut the scallions into approximately 4 cm lengths. These can be used as a garnish or added during cooking for extra aroma.
Step 7
Heat olive oil (or cooking oil) in a pan over medium-low heat. Add the sliced onions and stir-fry until they become translucent and fragrant. This forms the aromatic base of the dish.
Step 8
Once the onions are sautéed, add the bean sprouts, shrimp, and mushrooms to the pan. Increase the heat to **high** and stir-fry quickly. Cooking over high heat for a short time is key to maintaining the crispness of the bean sprouts and vegetables, preventing them from becoming watery and ensuring they don’t taste gamey.
Step 9
As the bean sprouts begin to wilt slightly, add the pre-mixed sauce, fried tofu strips, and sliced chili peppers. Continue stir-frying over high heat until everything is well combined with the sauce. Be careful not to overcook, as this will diminish the crisp texture.
Step 10
Finally, add the chopped scallions and turn off the heat. Drizzle with sesame oil (or perilla oil) and gently toss to combine, allowing the residual heat to infuse the flavors.
Step 11
Serve the stir-fried bean sprout and tofu mixture generously over warm rice, making sure to include some of the delicious sauce from the pan. Finish with a sprinkle of black pepper and toasted sesame seeds. This completes your wonderful bean sprout and fried tofu rice bowl! If you find it needs more seasoning, adjust with a little salt or soy sauce. (Tip: Adding fresh cilantro as a garnish complements the flavors beautifully!)
