Chinese Style Tofu Sauce Recipes

ULTIMATE BRAISED TOFU

Steps:

• Cut the tofu into 10 pieces, transfer to a plate, and let it sit at room temperature for 30 minutes. Carefully tilt the plate and pour off the liquid. This step allows you to remove some of the water content from the very wet silken tofu.
• In a tall pot, heat oil to 375 to 400 degrees F. Make sure that the oil is well below the rim of the pot, so the oil does not overflow. It also minimizes splattering. You can use a candy or oil thermometer to check the temperature.
• Use a metal spatula or slotted spoon to carefully scoop up one piece at a time and lower it quickly into the hot oil. I suggest frying 3 to 4 pieces at a time, keeping the heat at medium high, because the tofu will cool the oil quickly. You need to maintain that high oil temperature to quickly brown the outside and form a light crust.
• Deep fry your silken tofu until light golden brown (about 2 to 3 minutes per batch) and set aside on a dry plate. Oil temperature control is key, as you want to maintain the temperature between 375 and 400 degrees F.
• In a bowl, combine the stock, oyster sauce, soy sauces, sesame oil, sugar, and salt together in a bowl and set aside.
• Heat your wok over medium heat and add 2 tablespoons of the frying oil around the perimeter of the wok so it is lightly coated. Add the smashed ginger to the wok and stir it in the oil for about 15 seconds. Stir in the minced garlic, the white portion of the scallions, the mushrooms, carrots, and bamboo shoots, and turn the heat up to high. Stir-fry for 30 seconds and add the Shaoxing wine and the snap peas.
• Continue to stir-fry for another 30 seconds, and add the sauce mixture. Bring the mixture up to a boil. Once boiling, add the cornstarch and water mixture and stir for 15 seconds until the sauce starts to thicken. Add the fried silken tofu and the rest of the scallions.
• Carefully fold the mixture together until the tofu is well-coated. Use extra care, because the fried silken tofu is still very delicate! Let your braised tofu cook for another 15 to 20 seconds and add a little more cornstarch and water if you want a thicker sauce.

CRISPY TOFU WITH GARLIC SAUCE (WITHOUT DEEP-FRYING)

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (200 C). Line a baking tray with parchment.
• Press the water out of the tofu while heating up the oven. Carefully press the tofu with your hands. Slice the tofu into two even-thickness pieces. Wrap a few layers of cheesecloth (or kitchen paper towel) outside the tofu, and place a small tray with a heavy weight on top. The weight can be a jar of pickles or canned tomatoes.
• When the oven is heated, cut the tofu into 1/2-inch (1-cm) pieces. (*Footnote 2)
• Season both sides with salt. Bake for about 30 minutes, until the tofu turns golden and the surface puffs.
• Now you can use it in stir fries or serve the tofu with sauce.
• Prepare the garlic sauce while baking the tofu. Whisk the soy sauce, sugar, water, and cornstarch in a small bowl until completely dissolved.
• Heat the oil in a small pan over a medium heat until hot. Add the garlic and green onions. Stir for 20 seconds to release the aroma.
• Stir the sauce again to make sure the cornstarch is dissolved. Pour into the pan. Stir constantly for 10 to 20 seconds, until the sauce has thickened enough to coat the back of a spoon. Transfer immediately into a small bowl, so the sauce won't overcook in the residual heat.
• When the tofu is baked, drizzle the sauce over the tofu. Garnish with green onions and sesame seeds, if using.
• Serve immediately as a snack or appetizer.

GENERAL TSO'S TOFU

Steps:

• Place tofu onto a plate lined with several paper towels. Cover with more paper towels and another plate. Set a 3- to 5-pound weight on top and press tofu for 30 minutes. Drain and discard any accumulated liquid.
• Place tofu cubes in a shallow bowl. Add 2 tablespoons soy sauce and sesame oil. Gently stir to coat. Let sit for 10 minutes or until tofu has absorbed most of the liquid.
• Meanwhile, make the sauce by whisking soy sauce, maple syrup, sambal oelek, rice vinegar, garlic, sesame oil, cornstarch, and green onions together in a bowl. Set aside.
• Drain any remaining liquid from the tofu. Place cornstarch in a gallon-sized plastic resealable bag. Drop tofu cubes in the bag, seal, and gently shake until coated with cornstarch.
• Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook tofu for 4 minutes. Flip with tongs and cook until browned on all sides, about 4 minutes more. Transfer tofu to a plate and wipe the skillet clean.
• Pour sauce into the skillet and cook until slightly thickened, about 2 minutes. Remove from heat. Return tofu to the skillet and toss to combine.

CHINESE MABO TOFU

Steps:

• Mix cornstarch and water in a small bowl; set aside.
• Brown ground pork in a small skillet over medium-high heat, about 5 minutes. Drain fat.
• Heat the vegetable oil over medium-high heat in a large skillet or wok. Cook the garlic and ginger root in the oil until fragrant, about 1 minute. Stir in tofu and cook for 2 minutes. Season with the soy sauce, hot bean sauce, and sugar; stir to combine.
• Stir in the cooked pork and green onion. Sprinkle with the cornstarch and water mixture; cook and stir until thickened, about 2 minutes. Stir the sesame oil into the thickened mabo tofu.

CHINESE TAKEOUT-STYLE TOFU AND BROCCOLI RECIPE BY TASTY

Steps:

• Wrap the tofu in 2 layers of paper towels and place on a plate. Put another plate on top of the tofu to weigh it down and microwave for 2-3 minutes, or until drained.
• After microwaving, carefully unwrap the tofu and slice into ½-1 inch cubes. Pat each cube dry.
• In a large nonstick skillet, heat the vegetable oil and 1 teaspoon of sesame oil over medium-high heat. Once the oil is hot, add the tofu and cook on all sides until golden brown, 2-4 minutes per side, then remove from the pan and set aside.
• Add broccoli to the hot pan with the vegetable broth. Cover and reduce the heat to medium-low. Steam for 5 minutes.
• Remove the lid and increase the heat to medium-high.
• Add the garlic, ginger, and remaining ½ teaspoon of sesame oil. Stir until softened.
• Add the soy sauce, agave, rice vinegar, and cornstarch slurry. Stir until thickened to your desired consistency. Add the sesame seeds and stir to incorporate.
• Return the tofu to the pan and toss to coat in the sauce.
• Serve over white rice and garnish with scallions and sesame seeds.
• Enjoy!

SILKEN TOFU WITH SPICY SOY DRESSING

Steps:

• Make the dressing: Combine the soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, chile oil, sugar, sesame seeds and scallion in a small bowl. Whisk until the sugar has dissolved.
• Carefully drain the liquid from the package of tofu, and gently tip the block onto a kitchen towel. (Try to keep the block in one piece, if possible, but don't worry if it falls apart; it will still taste great.) Pat with another clean kitchen towel, removing as much liquid as possible. Transfer the blocks to one large plate or two smaller plates, and spoon the soy dressing over the top until the tofu is completely covered. Top with scallions and cilantro leaves, and eat on its own or with rice or noodles on the side.

CHINESE-STYLE TOFU "SAUCE"

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a wok (or skillet/deep pan).
• Saute gingerroot, garlic, and red peppers for 2-3 minutes.
• Add mushrooms and onion whites and saute another 2-3 minutes.
• Add onion greens and tofu cubes and saute for a minute or so.
• Combine the miso, soy sauce, honey, cashew butter, and vinegar in a bowl or small glass, mixing well.
• Pour this mixture into the wok.
• Let it simmer for about a minute while stirring the sauce into the tofu and vegetables.
• Stir in the dissolved cornstarch, letting it simmer until it thickens.
• Serve hot with rice.