Delicious Braised Tofu: Savory Soy Sauce Glaze Recipe
Perfect Side Dish! Braised Tofu with Savory Soy Sauce Glaze
Today’s recipe is for braised tofu, simmered to perfection in a sweet and savory soy sauce glaze. It’s a simple yet satisfying dish that makes for a great meal or lunchbox side. Served over freshly steamed rice, it’s absolutely divine! When you’re unsure about side dishes, or want to make a wonderful meal with minimal ingredients, give this recipe a try. You can easily make it using ingredients you already have in your refrigerator.
Main Ingredients- 1 block Firm Tofu
- Vegetable oil, for frying
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Prepare the Tofu: Cut the tofu into bite-sized pieces, about 1.5 cm thick. Gently press the cut tofu with paper towels to remove excess moisture. This step prevents oil splattering when frying and helps create a crispier texture. (Tip: Lightly coating the tofu with flour or frying powder before pan-frying will yield an even more savory and crispy result!)
Step 2
Pan-Fry the Tofu: Heat a generous amount of vegetable oil in a pan over medium heat. Carefully place the moisture-pressed tofu pieces into the hot oil. Pan-fry them until golden brown on both sides. Be gentle to prevent the tofu from breaking. Continue frying until the edges are a beautiful golden-brown hue. This frying process enhances the tofu’s texture and allows it to absorb the sauce better.
Step 3
Make the Savory Sauce: While the tofu is frying, combine all the sauce ingredients in a bowl. Mix together the soy sauce, corn syrup, perilla oil, gochugaru, minced garlic (optional), toasted sesame seeds, chopped scallions, and shredded carrots until well blended. Feel free to adjust the ingredient ratios to suit your preference.
Step 4
Begin Simmering: Arrange the golden-brown fried tofu pieces evenly in the pan. To allow the sauce to simmer and permeate the tofu, pour in about 1/2 cup of water around the edges of the pan. The water should be enough to create a light braising liquid, but not so much that it dilutes the sauce too much or prolongs the cooking time excessively.
Step 5
Finish and Glaze: Evenly spoon the prepared soy sauce mixture over the fried tofu. Reduce the heat to medium-low. Cover the pan (or leave it uncovered, depending on desired glaze thickness) and let it simmer for another 5-7 minutes, or until the sauce has thickened and coated the tofu beautifully. Gently shake the pan or flip the tofu occasionally to ensure even cooking and prevent sticking. The dish is ready when the sauce is reduced and glossy.
