Spicy and Soft Braised Tofu
A Delicious Side Dish for Rice! Spicy, Soft, and Flavorful Braised Tofu!
Hello everyone! Today, I’m sharing a recipe for the ultimate rice side dish using everyone’s favorite ingredient, tofu. Tofu, made from soybeans, is rich in plant-based protein and isoflavones, which are incredibly beneficial for our health. It’s known to help inhibit cancer cell growth, improve blood circulation, and even alleviate menopausal symptoms. Let’s make this easy, quick, and delicious spicy and soft braised tofu with simple seasonings!
Main Ingredients- 1 block tofu (cut into thick slices)
- 1 stalk green onion
- 5 Korean chili peppers (cheongyang peppers)
Braising Sauce- 7 Tbsp soy sauce
- 2 cups water
- 1 Tbsp minced garlic
- 3 Tbsp red pepper flakes (gochugaru)
- 1 Tbsp chili oil
- 7 Tbsp soy sauce
- 2 cups water
- 1 Tbsp minced garlic
- 3 Tbsp red pepper flakes (gochugaru)
- 1 Tbsp chili oil
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, prepare the tofu. Lightly rinse the tofu under running water, then cut it into thick slices, about 1.5 cm (approximately 0.6 inches) thick. Slicing them thickly prevents them from easily breaking apart during cooking.
Step 2
Next, prepare the vegetables. Slice the green onion diagonally into large pieces. Similarly, slice the Korean chili peppers diagonally into similar sizes. You can adjust the number of chili peppers if you prefer it spicier.
Step 3
Now, let’s make the delicious braising sauce. In a bowl, combine 7 Tbsp soy sauce, 2 cups water, 1 Tbsp minced garlic, 3 Tbsp red pepper flakes (gochugaru), and 1 Tbsp chili oil. Stir everything thoroughly with a spoon until the sauce is well mixed. Ensuring the seasonings dissolve evenly is key.
Step 4
In a wide pot or pan, arrange the sliced tofu in a single layer on the bottom. Placing the tofu pieces without overlapping allows the sauce to penetrate evenly, resulting in a more flavorful dish.
Step 5
Pour the prepared braising sauce evenly over the tofu slices. Make sure the sauce coats the surface of the tofu well.
Step 6
Finally, arrange the sliced green onions and Korean chili peppers attractively on top of the tofu. The aroma from the vegetables will meld with the braising sauce, creating a richer flavor profile.
Step 7
Now for the cooking process. Place the pot over medium heat and bring it to a boil. Once the sauce is bubbling vigorously, reduce the heat to low. Cover the pot and let it simmer gently until the sauce thickens and becomes slightly reduced, leaving just enough to coat the tofu. This is how your delicious braised tofu will be complete. Try not to stir too often to prevent the tofu from breaking.
Step 8
And there you have it! A fantastic rice side dish, braised tofu, is ready in no time using just tofu and basic seasonings. The savory yet incredibly soft texture of the tofu is truly irresistible!
Step 9
Serve this braised tofu over a bowl of warm rice. Each bite, with its spicy and tender texture, is so satisfying that you’ll find yourself finishing your rice in no time. It’s a true ‘rice thief’ (a dish that makes you eat a lot of rice)!
Step 10
With the unpredictable weather lately, when you’re craving a warm, home-cooked meal, why not try making this simple braised tofu for a hearty and delicious experience? It’s a dish that everyone in the family is sure to love!
