Best Tofu Bibimbap Recipes

BIBIMBAP WITH TOFU, CUCUMBERS, SPINACH, SHIITAKES AND CARROTS

Steps:

• Combine all of the tofu marinade ingredients in a 2-quart bowl. Whisk together well.
• Drain the tofu and pat dry with paper towels. Cut into 1/2-inch-thick dominoes, blot again with paper towels and add to the bowl with the marinade. Gently toss to coat. Cover and refrigerate for 15 minutes to an hour, or for up to a day.
• Mix together the rice vinegar, sesame oil, garlic, scallions, sesame seeds and salt to taste in a small bowl or measuring cup. Add red pepper paste if desired. Set aside.
• While the tofu is marinating, toss the cucumber with salt to taste and place in a colander in the sink for 15 to 30 minutes. Rinse and squeeze dry. Place in a bowl and toss with 2 teaspoons of the vinegar and sesame oil mixture. In a separate bowl, toss the carrots with 1 tablespoon of the vinegar and sesame oil mixture. Refrigerate both the cucumbers and carrots while you cook the tofu, spinach and mushrooms.
• Wash the spinach and wilt in a large frying pan over high heat. Remove from the heat, press out excess water and toss in a bowl with 1 tablespoon of the vinegar and sesame oil mixture.
• Heat a wok or large, heavy skillet over medium-high heat until a drop of water evaporates immediately on contact and add the canola oil. Stir-fry the tofu for 3 to 5 minutes, until lightly browned, and remove to a plate. Add the shiitakes to the pan, let sit without stirring for 1 minute, then stir-fry for another minute or two, until tender. Remove to a plate.
• Fry the eggs in the hot pan or in a separate nonstick skillet until the whites are set and the yolks are still runny. Season with salt and pepper.
• Heat 4 wide soup bowls. Place a mound of hot grains in the middle of each one and surround with the tofu and vegetables, as well as kimchi if desired, each ingredient in its own little pile. Place a fried egg and a small spoonful of chili paste on top of the rice and garnish with the toasted nori and sesame seeds. Serve at once. Diners should break the egg into the rice. Pass the chili paste and add more as desired.

TOFU BIBIMBAP

Steps:

• 1. Using steamer function, steam green leafy veg in rice cooker until tender, about 8 minutes. Remove to a kitchen towel, wring dry and thinly slice into a bowl. Season to taste with sesame oil, rice vinegar and salt. 2. Clean out cooker and cook rice according to instructions. When done (or when cooker switches to "warm" function), quickly stir in sliced pepper and kimchi, making sure to scrape and scoop up bottom layer of rice. Smooth top. 3. Drizzle 2 teaspoons sesame oil over rice and gently break eggs on top, placing one on each side of cooker. Cover and put cooker on "cook" function for 5 minutes. 4. Switch cooker to "warm," arrange tofu and vegetables next to eggs, cover and let steam just until egg whites are opaque (yolks should be runny). Place a teaspoon of chili paste in center. 5. At table, stir dish together. (A toasty crust may have formed on bottom of rice cooker: scrape this up and mix into dish.) Scoop into serving bowls, sprinkling each with sesame seeds and scallions. Pass sesame oil, rice vinegar and chili paste for seasoning. Yield: 3 to 4 servings.