Rice Lover’s Delight! Spicy Braised Tofu with Pork
The Perfect Harmony of Pork and Tofu! A Braised Tofu Dish Perfect for Mixing with Rice.
When plain tofu feels a bit boring, adding pork and simmering it down creates a dish that is truly a ‘rice thief’! The rich, spicy sauce soaks perfectly into the tofu and meat, making it incredibly delicious when mixed with rice. Let’s make this popular and tasty tofu stew together!
Main Ingredients
- 1/2 block Firm Tofu (approx. 150g), sliced into 1.5cm thick pieces
- 80g Ground Pork (lean cut recommended)
- 1/2 medium Onion (approx. 80g), thinly sliced
- 1/2 stalk Green Onion (approx. 40g), sliced diagonally
- 1 Green Chili Pepper (optional, for extra spice), sliced diagonally
- 1 Tbsp Perilla Oil (for a nutty aroma)
Seasoning Sauce
- 1/2 cup Anchovy Broth (or 100ml water)
- 2 Tbsp Soy Sauce for Soup (Guk-ganjang)
- 1.5 Tbsp Fish Sauce (for deep umami)
- 1 Tbsp Mirin (or cooking wine, to remove pork odor and add flavor)
- 1 Tbsp Minced Garlic
- 3 Tbsp Gochugaru (Korean chili flakes, for spicy flavor)
- 1/2 cup Anchovy Broth (or 100ml water)
- 2 Tbsp Soy Sauce for Soup (Guk-ganjang)
- 1.5 Tbsp Fish Sauce (for deep umami)
- 1 Tbsp Mirin (or cooking wine, to remove pork odor and add flavor)
- 1 Tbsp Minced Garlic
- 3 Tbsp Gochugaru (Korean chili flakes, for spicy flavor)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, wash and diagonally slice the green chili pepper and green onion. These will add color and flavor to the dish. If you enjoy spicy food, be sure to include the green chili pepper.
Step 2
Thinly slice the onion and cut the tofu into bite-sized pieces, about 1.5cm thick. While not essential, lightly pan-frying the tofu beforehand can help it hold its shape better and enhance its texture.
Step 3
Now, let’s make the delicious seasoning sauce. In a small bowl, combine 1/2 cup anchovy broth (or water), 2 Tbsp soy sauce for soup, 1.5 Tbsp fish sauce for a deep umami flavor, 1 Tbsp mirin to remove any pork odor and add a pleasant aroma, 1 Tbsp minced garlic for a robust fragrance, and 3 Tbsp gochugaru for that essential spicy kick. Whisk everything together until well combined. The fish sauce is key to achieving that rich, savory taste.
Step 4
Prepare a pot or deep pan. Add the 80g of ground pork and 1 Tbsp of perilla oil to the pot. The perilla oil will add a lovely nutty depth.
Step 5
Place the pot over medium heat. Add the ground pork and stir, breaking it up with a spatula as it cooks. Sauté until the pork is browned and fragrant, releasing its delicious aroma.
Step 6
Once the pork is mostly cooked, carefully arrange the sliced tofu pieces in the pot, layering them neatly. If you chose to pan-fry your tofu, add it at this stage.
Step 7
Evenly distribute the thinly sliced onions over the tofu. Then, pour the prepared seasoning sauce over the tofu and onions, ensuring it coats everything generously.
Step 8
Turn the heat up to high and bring the stew to a boil. Once boiling, reduce the heat to medium-low. Let it simmer, gently shaking the pot occasionally or stirring from the bottom to prevent sticking, for about 5-7 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld and the sauce to reduce.
Step 9
When the tofu has absorbed the delicious sauce and the liquid has thickened to a nice, savory consistency, add the sliced green onion and green chili pepper. Simmer for just another moment before turning off the heat. This dish is wonderfully addictive spooned over hot rice! Enjoy your meal!
