A Rice-Stealing Side Dish! Pan-Seared Tofu and Spam Stew
A Delicious Tofu and Spam Stew Recipe Loved by All Ages
An amazing combination of savory spam and tender tofu! Complete a hearty meal with this simple yet delicious pan-seared tofu and spam stew. It’s perfect as a side dish for rice or even as a snack with drinks.
Main Ingredients- 1 block Firm Tofu (approx. 300-350g)
- 1 can Small Spam (approx. 200g)
- 1/2 stalk Green Onion (approx. 10cm length)
- 1.5 cups Water (300ml)
- 1 Tbsp Perilla Oil or Cooking Oil
Seasoning Mix- 2 Tbsp Gochugaru (Korean chili flakes, approx. 20g)
- 1 Tbsp Minced Garlic (approx. 10g)
- 2 Tbsp Soy Sauce (approx. 20ml)
- 2 Tbsp Anchovy Sauce (approx. 20ml, can substitute with soy sauce if unavailable)
- 1 Tbsp Mirin or Cooking Sake (approx. 10ml)
- 2 Tbsp Oligodang (Korean corn syrup, approx. 20g, sweetness adjustable)
- 2 Tbsp Gochugaru (Korean chili flakes, approx. 20g)
- 1 Tbsp Minced Garlic (approx. 10g)
- 2 Tbsp Soy Sauce (approx. 20ml)
- 2 Tbsp Anchovy Sauce (approx. 20ml, can substitute with soy sauce if unavailable)
- 1 Tbsp Mirin or Cooking Sake (approx. 10ml)
- 2 Tbsp Oligodang (Korean corn syrup, approx. 20g, sweetness adjustable)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, cut the tofu into bite-sized pieces, about 1.5cm thick. Slice the spam into similar sizes or according to your preference. Thinly slice the green onion diagonally to add aroma.
Step 2
Make the seasoning sauce: In a bowl, combine 2 Tbsp gochugaru, 1 Tbsp minced garlic, 2 Tbsp soy sauce, 2 Tbsp anchovy sauce (if you don’t have anchovy sauce, you can substitute with more soy sauce!), 1 Tbsp mirin, and 2 Tbsp oligodang. Mix well until the sweetener is dissolved to create the seasoning paste.
Step 3
Heat 1 Tbsp of perilla oil (or cooking oil) in a pan over medium-low heat. Pan-fry the tofu slices until golden brown on both sides. This enhances the tofu’s flavor and helps it hold its shape better. Set the fried tofu aside in a separate dish.
Step 4
Using the same pan (no need to add more oil as spam releases its own fat), place the sliced spam and pan-fry until golden brown on both sides. Frying the spam beforehand adds more flavor.
Step 5
Now, let’s start stewing. Arrange the pan-fried tofu slices at the bottom of the pan. Place the fried spam slices on top of the tofu.
Step 6
Pour 1.5 cups (300ml) of water over the ingredients in the pan. For an even richer flavor, consider using anchovy-kelp broth instead of plain water. If using broth, you might want to slightly adjust the amount of soy sauce or anchovy sauce.
Step 7
Pour the prepared, flavorful seasoning sauce evenly over the tofu and spam.
Step 8
Now, let it simmer over medium-low heat until the sauce is well absorbed into all the ingredients. Be mindful of the heat to prevent the sauce from reducing too much.
Step 9
Cover the pan while simmering; this helps the sauce penetrate the ingredients more effectively. Periodically, open the lid and spoon some of the sauce from the pan over the tofu and spam to keep them moist and flavorful.
Step 10
Once the sauce has thickened to a gravy-like consistency and the flavors have melded, add the sliced green onions. Simmer for just a little longer until the green onions are slightly softened, adding a fresh aromatic touch.
Step 11
Your delicious Tofu and Spam Stew is ready! It’s incredibly tasty when served hot with a bowl of rice. Be sure to try making this for dinner tonight!
