5 Easy To Make Chinese Tofu Recipes for Beginners
Tian
About Tofu
Tofu is a versatile and nutritious food with a rich history and is full of essential nutrients and quality protein, earning it the nickname "plant meat." It originated in China, where it has been enjoyed for centuries and has since traveled worldwide, gaining popularity and undergoing various delightful adaptations.
Visiting an Asian supermarket can leave you baffled with the myriad of tofu types available. Don’t worry, we have your back! This article is here to guide you through choosing the right kind of tofu and to introduce you to 5 tasty and uncomplicated tofu recipes.
Whether you're a tofu newbie or a seasoned chef looking for something new beyond Mapo tofu, you're in the right place. These recipes are easy, delightful, and a breeze to whip up.
1. Mapo Tofu
This dish is a shining star of Sichuan cuisine, known for its unique spicy and numbing flavors, primarily from minced meat, Doubanjiang, and Sichuan peppercorns. It’s a global favorite and often modified to meet local tastes. Go for soft tofu; its higher water content makes the dish more succulent and velvety.
2. Crunchy Tofu
This dish is as straightforward as it gets. Slice the tofu thin, give it a coat of cornstarch and egg, fry until golden, and voila! Season and enjoy. Firm tofu works best here, it holds up well to frying and gives you that crispy texture.
3. Tofu and Eggs
Translated as "eggs hug tofu" in Chinese, this dish is a delightful combo of the softness of eggs and tofu, a real treat for your taste buds. It’s simple, nutritious, and utterly delicious.
4. Sweet and Sour Soup with Tofu
Fancy a bowl of hot, tangy soup with silky tofu? This dish, with origins in Sichuan, is often enjoyed as a palate-awakening starter. It’s a harmonious mix of shiitake mushrooms, shredded meat, egg drops, wood ear mushrooms, and tofu, slightly thickened to perfection.
5. Tofu with Tomato
A block of tofu and a tomato are all you need for this yummy dish. Fry the tofu a bit, stir-fry it with tomatoes, and there you have it - a simple, tasty, gluten-free vegetarian dish. Firm tofu is recommended.
Soft or Firm Tofu?
Soft tofu is great for soups, and firm tofu is your friend when it comes to frying. If you try frying soft tofu, it might just crumble apart!
Enjoy exploring the wonderful world of tofu with these easy and scrumptious recipes. Whether you're new to cooking or just want a quick and satisfying dish, these recipes are sure to please.
A note of caution: tofu might not be suitable for people with Hashimoto's disease and goiter.