Tomato Shrimp Tofu Stew: A Visually Stunning and Delicious Meal!
Dipping Tomato Shrimp Tofu Stew: A Recommended Recipe for Clearing Out Your Fridge
Lately, I’ve been really into clearing out my refrigerator! While the fridge gets emptier, I worry about my body filling up with extra weight. Since tofu is something I love more than rice, I decided to make a delicious ‘dipping’ tofu stew using whatever ingredients I had on hand. I added plenty of broth and even some tomatoes, making it so flavorful that I didn’t even need rice. With tofu, tomatoes, and shrimp all in one pan, I made a generous portion and ate only this dish for an entire day! When the weather gets cold, we all crave warm, comforting soups, right? So we often find ourselves making stews or soups. This time, I made a ‘dipping’ tofu stew with a rich, savory broth. It’s perfect for those chilly days when you want something warm and satisfying.
Main Ingredients
- 2 blocks (160g each) firm tofu
- 1/4 purple onion
- 1 tomato
- 10 ‘nobashi’ shrimp (peeled and deveined)
- 1/2 green onion
- 1 red chili pepper
Seasoning & Frying Ingredients
- 300ml stock (anchovy-kelp stock or rice water recommended)
- 1 Tbsp minced garlic
- 1 Tbsp perilla oil
- 1 Tbsp red pepper flakes (gochugaru)
- 1 Tbsp soy sauce
- 1 Tbsp fish sauce (or Korean soup soy sauce)
- 1 Tbsp oligodang (or corn syrup/honey)
- Pinch of black pepper
- Vegetable oil (for frying tofu)
- 300ml stock (anchovy-kelp stock or rice water recommended)
- 1 Tbsp minced garlic
- 1 Tbsp perilla oil
- 1 Tbsp red pepper flakes (gochugaru)
- 1 Tbsp soy sauce
- 1 Tbsp fish sauce (or Korean soup soy sauce)
- 1 Tbsp oligodang (or corn syrup/honey)
- Pinch of black pepper
- Vegetable oil (for frying tofu)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, slice the tofu into approximately 1cm thick pieces. Thinly slice the purple onion into strips. Cut the green onion and red chili pepper diagonally.
Step 2
In the 300ml stock, combine minced garlic (1 Tbsp), red pepper flakes (1 Tbsp), soy sauce (1 Tbsp), fish sauce (1 Tbsp), and oligodang (1 Tbsp). Add a pinch of black pepper and mix well to create the sauce. Set aside the perilla oil, as it will be used for frying the tofu.
Step 3
Gently press the sliced tofu with paper towels to remove excess moisture. This step helps prevent the tofu from breaking apart and ensures it fries to a beautiful golden brown.
Step 4
Heat a pan over medium heat and add a mixture of vegetable oil and perilla oil (about a 1:1 ratio). Fry the tofu pieces on both sides until they are golden brown and slightly crispy. Using only perilla oil can cause the tofu to burn easily due to its lower smoke point, so it’s best to mix it with vegetable oil.
Step 5
Now, in the pan you’ll be stewing in, spread the thinly sliced purple onion evenly at the bottom. Place the pan-fried tofu pieces attractively on top of the onions.
Step 6
Arrange the ‘nobashi’ shrimp and the sliced tomato pieces over the tofu. Don’t be shy with the shrimp; they tend to shrink a bit when cooked.
Step 7
Next, artfully arrange the sliced green onion and red chili pepper on top of the tomatoes to add color and freshness to the dish.
Step 8
Carefully pour the prepared sauce mixture over all the ingredients in the pan. Try to distribute it evenly so it seeps into all the layers.
Step 9
Cover the pan and simmer over medium-low heat until the sauce thickens slightly and becomes a luscious broth. Allowing it to simmer allows the flavors to meld beautifully. This dish is meant to be enjoyed with plenty of its delicious broth.
Step 10
Savoring a bite of the soft tofu, sweet tomatoes, and plump shrimp along with the warm broth is pure bliss. It’s also fantastic spooned over rice!
Step 11
Here’s a key tip to elevate your tofu stew: the tomatoes! Their natural sweetness and slight tanginess add a wonderful depth of flavor that makes this dish truly special.
Step 12
With its savory, soupy broth, this dish is perfect for spooning over rice, serving as a main course instead of soup or stew, and is beloved by people of all ages. It’s a hearty and satisfying meal for any table.
Step 13
Taking a bite of the warm tofu topped with sweet and tangy tomatoes and chewy shrimp is truly heavenly. You’ll find yourself finishing a bowl of rice in no time!
