Best Braised Tofu Recipes

BAKED TOFU WITH BRAISED PEPPERS AND ONIONS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375°F
• Drain tofu very well and cut into triangles or slabs about 11/2 inches wide. Place in ungreased pie plate and bake until slightly firm and liquid is released, about 20 minutes. Pour off any liquid. Set tofu aside; maintain oven temperature at 375°F
• In large skillet, heat oil over high heat. Add onions and cook, stirring often, 2 to 3 minutes.
• Add bell peppers, mushrooms, 1 clove garlic, parsley, marjoram and thyme and cook, stirring often, 2 to 3 minutes.
• Reduce heat to medium and cook, stirring occasionally, until onions are tender, about 6 minutes.
• Stir in wine, olives, salt and pepper and cook, until vegetables are tender and coated with syrupy sauce, about 8 minutes.
• Coat 8 x 8-inch square or 2-quart casserole with cooking spray. Add vegetable mixture, then gently arrange tofu pieces in mixture.
• Make sauce: In small bowl, whisk together vinegar, oil, tomato paste, mustard, garlic, pepper and soy sauce or tamari.
• Pour sauce over vegetables and tofu.
• Cover and bake until heated through, about 25 minutes. Serve hot.

SPICY BRAISED TOFU

Steps:

• Wrap tofu in a clean kitchen towel and place on a rimmed baking sheet. Weigh down with a heavy object (a couple of heavy cans works well) and let sit 10 minutes. Unwrap tofu and slice in half lengthwise, then cut crosswise into 6 sections to create 12 squares.
• Whisk soy sauce, mirin, sesame oil, gochugaru, and 3 Tbsp. water in a small bowl to combine; set sauce aside.
• Trim dark green top from scallion and thinly slice; set aside. Thinly slice remaining white and pale green parts of scallion. Heat 1 Tbsp. grapeseed oil in a nonstick skillet over medium-high. Carefully add tofu in a single layer and lightly season with salt. Cook, undisturbed, until golden brown, about 5 minutes; turn over and cook until golden brown on other side, about 5 minutes. Transfer tofu to a plate; reserve skillet (no need to wipe out).
• Heat remaining 1 Tbsp. grapeseed oil in reserved skillet over medium. Cook scallion white and pale green parts, garlic, and ginger, stirring, until softened but not browned, about 1 minute.
• Return tofu to skillet. Pour in reserved sauce and bring to a simmer. Reduce heat to medium-low and cook, turning tofu once or twice and occasionally spooning sauce over, until sauce is reduced by about half, about 4 minutes.
• Transfer tofu to a large plate, spoon sauce over, and sprinkle with sesame seeds and reserved scallion top. Serve with rice alongside.

BRAISED GREEN BEANS WITH FRIED TOFU

Steps:

• In a small bowl, stir together the white sugar, soy sauce, white wine and 1/2 cup of chicken broth. Set the sauce aside.
• Pat the tofu dry with paper towels, and cut into cubes. Season the cubes with salt and pepper. Sprinkle 1 tablespoon of cornstarch over them on all sides.
• Heat a little more than 1 inch of oil in a large deep skillet over medium-high heat. If you have a deep-fryer, fill to recommended level, and heat the oil to 375ºF (190ºC). When the oil is hot, add the tofu, and fry until golden brown on all sides. Turn occasionally. Remove from the oil with a slotted spoon, and drain on paper towels.
• In a separate skillet, heat one tablespoon of oil over medium-high heat. Add the onion and green beans; cook and stir for 3 to 5 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Stir in the tomatoes, and cook until they begin to break apart, about 4 minutes. Add the bamboo shoots, and stir to blend.
• Stir the sauce into the skillet with the beans, and bring to a boil. Cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. If the liquid starts to evaporate too much, stir in up to 1 cup of chicken broth.
• Mix together the remaining 2 tablespoons of cornstarch and water until cornstarch is dissolved. Stir this into the sauce in the skillet. Simmer, stirring gently, until the sauce clears and thickens. Add the tofu, and stir to coat with the sauce.

CHINESE BRAISED STEW WITH BLACK MUSHROOMS AND FRIED TOFU

Steps:

• Heat wok add coat with oil. Heat until it smokes add 1 lbs beef and brown over high heat to a deep brown in color and place into a stock pot. Repeat this until all 4 pounds is gone. Add water into the wok and heat over heat for 5 minutes and pour into the stockpot. Add in ginger, brown bean, curd cakes, star anise, onion powder, salt and pour in the wine and soy sauce. Cover with water above the meat mixture and bring to a boil and after 5 minutes go by reduce the heat to a medium low and simmer for 3 hours and add mushrooms and simmer until the meat is tender. Add in the fried tofu cube and return the mixture to a rolling boil and reduce the heat back to a simmer for 15 minutes.

SPICY BRAISED TOFU

Steps:

• Bring a small pot of salted water to a boil. Add tofu; boil for 1 to 2 minutes. Drain.
• Heat oil in a deep skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Cook and stir the chili bean paste until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add ginger and chile powder; cook and stir until fragrant, 1 to 2 minutes.
• Stir tofu into the skillet; pour in enough water to cover. Bring to a boil. Stir in garlic scapes, soy sauce, and salt. Reduce heat and simmer until flavors combine, about 5 minutes.
• Mix 1 teaspoon water and cornstarch together in a small bowl until cornstarch is dissolved. Pour into the skillet and stir gently until sauce thickens, 3 to 5 minutes. Sprinkle ground Sichuan peppercorns on top.

BRAISED TOFU IN CARAMEL SAUCE

Steps:

• Slice the tofu in half through the middle of the slab, then cut each piece in half. Place slices between paper towels to drain.
• Combine sugar with 1/4 cup water in a small saucepan. Cook over medium heat until small bubbles appear around the edge of the pan; from this point forward, only swirl the pan, never stir. Cook 20-35 minutes, until the bubbles are thick and the syrup is a deep amber. Add 1/2 cup water (it will sputter violently) and swirl. If any sugar recrystallizes, stir carefully with a metal spoon. When the syrup is clear, turn off the heat.
• Pour the caramel into a wide skillet over medium heat. Add the shallots and cook 2 minutes. Add the ginger and garlic and cook 1 minute. Stir in the soy sauce and cook 10 minutes, until the vegetables are well coated and the sauce is thick and viscous.
• Add the tofu slices in one layer and cook, uncovered, 7 minutes.Carefully turn the slices over and cook another 3-4 minutes. Transfer to a warm platter. Pour the sauce over the tofu, scatter with scallions and sprinkle with black pepper. Serve with white rice.

BRAISED TOFU IN SPICY PEANUT SAUCE

Steps:

• Heat oil in a pan.
• Sear tofu steaks over high heat for about 2 minutes per side. Set aside.
• In the same pan, sauté ginger, lemongrass, jalapenos, and shallots for about 2 minutes.
• Add water, coconut milk, soy sauce, and peanut butter. Bring to a boil.
• Add tofu steaks and simmer for 10 minutes, flipping once halfway through the cooking.
• Serve with the braising sauce and garnish with chives.

DOOBOO JORIM (BRAISED TOFU)

Steps:

• In a small bowl, whisk the soy sauce, gochugaru, garlic, scallions, red onion, shishito or jalapeño pepper, Fresno pepper, brown rice syrup, rice vinegar, mirin, black pepper, and turmeric together. You can store it in a covered container in the refrigerator for up to 1 month. Shake well before serving.
• Slice the block of tofu crosswise into ⅓-inch-thick pieces (I usually end up with 8 to 9 pieces).
• In a very large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. When the oil is hot, place the tofu in the pan in a single layer (you may have to cook in batches if your pan is not large enough) and cook the tofu until the bottom is browned, 7 to 10 minutes. Flip the tofu and repeat until both sides are evenly cooked.
• Add three tablespoons of the Spicy Soy Dressing and vegetable broth to the pan. Bring to a boil and then reduce the heat to very low. Sprinkle the onion, carrot, and mushrooms over the tofu. Cover the pan and cook until most of the braising liquid has evaporated, 15 to 20 minutes, popping the lid open occasionally and spooning a little bit of the braising liquid over the top of the tofu and vegetables as they cook.
• Garnish with the scallions and toasted sesame seeds. Serve with additional dressing over the top or on the side.

BRAISED GREEN BEANS WITH FRIED TOFU

Steps:

• In a small bowl, stir together the white sugar, soy sauce, white wine and 1/2 cup of chicken broth. Set the sauce aside.
• Pat the tofu dry with paper towels, and cut into cubes. Season the cubes with salt and pepper. Sprinkle 1 tablespoon of cornstarch over them on all sides.
• Heat a little more than 1 inch of oil in a large deep skillet over medium-high heat. If you have a deep-fryer, fill to the recommended level, and heat the oil to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). When the oil is hot, add the tofu, and fry until golden brown on all sides. Turn occasionally. Remove from the oil with a slotted spoon, and drain on paper towels.
• In a separate skillet, heat one tablespoon of oil over medium-high heat. Add the onions and green beans; cook and stir for 3 to 5 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Stir in the tomatoes, and cook until they begin to break apart, about 4 minutes. Add the bamboo shoots, and stir to blend.
• Stir the sauce into the skillet with the beans, and bring to a boil. Cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. If the liquid starts to evaporate too much, stir in up to 1 cup of chicken broth.
• Mix together the remaining 2 tablespoons of cornstarch and water until cornstarch is dissolved. Stir this into the sauce in the skillet. Simmer, stirring gently, until the sauce clears and thickens. Add the fried tofu, and stir to coat with the sauce.

BRAISED TOFU

Steps:

• Slice tofu block into 3 long slabs lengthwise. Wrap each slab in paper towels, and press to squeeze out excess water.
• Coat a large skillet with cooking spray, and then add 2 teaspoons sesame oil. Once the oil is hot, add the tofu slabs to the skillet. Fry for about 5 minutes on each side, or until delicately browned.
• Remove tofu from skillet, and slice into cubes. Add the remaining teaspoon sesame oil to the skillet, and stir fry the water chestnuts, mushrooms and snow peas. Mix together water and oyster sauce, and add to the skillet along with the tofu. Cover, and cook over low heat for about 10 minutes.

BRAISED TOFU IN CARAMEL SAUCE

Steps:

• Slice the tofu in half along its length and then each portion into two thick slices. Place the slices between paper towels to drain, replacing towels as needed.
• Meanwhile, dissolve the sugar in 1/4 cup water and cook in a small saucepan over medium-low heat until small bubbles begin to appear around the edges of the pan. Carefully swirl the solution, but do not stir. Continue to heat, as bubbles move inward toward the center of the pan and the solution turns darker, 20 to 35 minutes, until the syrup has become a deep, golden caramel color. Carefully add 1/2 cup water to this mixture. (It will sputter violently. If some sugar crystallizes at this point, carefully stir the mixture with a metal spoon. The sugar will remelt.) Turn off the heat and allow to cool slightly.
• Transfer the caramel sauce to a wide saucepan, turn the heat to medium and add the shallots, cooking for about 2 minutes. Add the garlic and ginger and stir again, cooking for about 1 minute. Now stir in the soy sauce. Simmer and stir until the mixture is viscous and the vegetables are well coated, about 10 minutes.
• Place the tofu in the sauce in a single layer and simmer uncovered for 7 minutes. Using a spatula, turn the pieces over. Simmer for 3 or 4 minutes more and then transfer to a warmed platter. Pour the sauce over the tofu and sprinkle with scallions and black pepper. Serve with white rice.

BRAISED TOFU IN CARAMEL SAUCE 4 SERVINGS

Steps:

• Slice the tofu in half along its length and then each portion into two thick slices. Place the slices between paper towels to drain, replacing towels as needed.
• Meanwhile, dissolve the sugar in 1/4 cup water and cook in a small saucepan over medium-low heat until small bubbles begin to appear around the edges of the pan. Carefully swirl the solution, but do not stir. Continue to heat, as bubbles move inward toward the center of the pan and the solution turns darker, 20 to 35 minutes, until the syrup has become a deep, golden caramel color. Carefully add 1/2 cup water to this mixture. (It will sputter violently. If some sugar crystallizes at this point, carefully stir the mixture with a metal spoon. The sugar will remelt.) Turn off the heat and allow to cool slightly.
• Transfer the caramel sauce to a wide saucepan, turn the heat to medium and add the shallots, cooking for about 2 minutes. Add the garlic and ginger and stir again, cooking for about 1 minute. Now stir in the soy sauce. Simmer and stir until the mixture is viscous and the vegetables are well coated, about 10 minutes.
• Place the tofu in the sauce in a single layer and simmer uncovered for 7 minutes. Using a spatula, turn the pieces over. Simmer for 3 or 4 minutes more and then transfer to a warmed platter. Pour the sauce over the tofu and sprinkle with scallions and black pepper. Serve with white rice.