How to Make Delicious Tofu Perfect for Sauces and Stir-Fries

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I imagine that if you've made it here, you have a complex relationship with tofu.

Tofu (my absolute favorite)

On one hand, you're a whole world of excellent nutritional values

Health benefits that are out of this world

A price as attractive as end-of-the-day vegetables at the market

And a crazy variety of recipes

But how do you actually make tofu taste good?

But on the other hand:

The taste and texture of wet cardboard...

Come on, don't pretend you don't know what I mean

A problematic texture

So it's a good thing I'm here, because you're about to discover the perfect recipe for how to make delicious tofu (and no, you don't need to fry it at all)

Wait, you'll get to the recipe in a second

First, I want to tell you that this tofu has an almost meaty texture and flavor, and it easily absorbs thick, rich sauces—even without any marinating.

It's slightly crispy and firm on the outside and soft and "meaty" on the inside.

A bit about the recipe and how to make delicious tofu

The whole story of this tofu is simple.

You need to squeeze out as much liquid as possible and then freeze it.

These two processes manage to transform the texture from rubbery to one that almost resembles meat.

Don't have the energy or patience? Maybe change recipes

After freezing and before baking, I use soy sauce, sesame oil, and cornstarch.

You can substitute the cornstarch with any starch flour you like—such as tapioca (which is the same thing, just more expensive).

You can also swap the sesame oil for any other oil you love.

Soy sauce cannot be replaced; it would simply result in a different flavor profile.

At the end of the video, I suggested a thick sauce made of ketchup, chili sauce, and mustard, topped with spicy chili, green onions, cilantro, and vegan mayo.

You can add this tofu to any other sauce you love—it goes amazing with stir-fries or a thick, spicy curry. Give it a try.

Nutritional Values for Delicious Tofu

A serving of tofu without sauce (169g) contains:

• 219 calories
• 22g protein
• 14g carbohydrates
• 13g fat (of which 2g is saturated fat)

A serving of tofu with sauce (206g) contains:

• 342 calories
• 23g protein
• 22g carbohydrates
• 18g fat

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How to Make Delicious Tofu

Perfect for stir-fries and sauces

Servings 2 servings

Calories 342 kcal

Ingredients

• 300 g Firm tofu (1 package)
• 1 tbsp Soy sauce 10 ml
• 1 tbsp Sesame oil 10 ml
• 2 level tbsps Cornstarch 15 g

Sauce Suggestion

• 1 tbsp Ketchup 15 g
• 1 tbsp Hot chili sauce 15 g
• 1 tbsp Mustard 15 g
• 1 tbsp Vegan mayo 15 g
• 1 Chopped green onion
• 1 Half red chili pepper
• 1 Handful of chopped cilantro

Instructions

1. Open the tofu package and drain the liquids.

2. Cut the block of tofu into 3 equal slices.

3. Cover with a clean towel.

4. Place a large, heavy pot or any other heavy object on top.

5. Let it sit for 30 minutes to an hour.

6. After about half an hour, the towel should be wet from the liquid the tofu released.

7. Cut each slice of tofu in half, and then each half into rectangles until you have small, bite-sized pieces.

8. Put them in a container and place in the freezer for at least 4 hours.

9. Tofu can be kept this way for up to six months.

10. When you want to eat the tofu, take it out of the freezer and thaw it on the counter or in the microwave.

11. Discard any liquid that pooled on the plate and dry the tofu thoroughly with a clean towel.

12. Now that the tofu is bone dry, it's time to give it some flavor.

13. Preheat the oven to medium heat (180°C).

14. Add the soy sauce and sesame oil and mix well.

15. Add the cornstarch and mix well until it's all absorbed and there are no crumbs of cornstarch on the plate (if there are, just toss them). Ensure the tofu isn't "floury" and there isn't too much cornstarch on it.

16. Arrange the tofu cubes on a baking sheet.

17. Bake for 20 to 30 minutes until the tofu is browned and sounds hollow when tapped.

Preparing the Sauce

1. In a deep bowl, combine the ketchup, mustard, hot chili sauce, and the baked tofu cubes; mix well.

2. Drizzle with mayo, and top with hot chili, cilantro, and chopped green onions.

3. Enjoy!

Recipe Video