Braised Tofu with Scallions is a nutritious and uniquely textured traditional Chinese dish, loved for its silky tofu and fragrant scallions. In the moment of tasting, the delicate tofu and aromatic scallions blend together, creating a rich and savory flavor that lingers in the mouth. The tender texture of the tofu is irresistible, inviting one to savor and experience the delightful taste. Tofu is rich in plant-based protein and various vitamins, making it beneficial for promoting good health.
Ingredients for Braised Tofu with Scallions
| Firm tofu | 300g |
| Green onion | 12g |
| Garlic | 8g |
| Ginger | 6g |
| Small chili pepper | 3g |
| Scallion | 4g |
| Salt | 2g |
| Bean paste | 5g |
| Oyster sauce | 3g |
| Chicken powder | 2g |
| Sugar | 1g |
| Starch | 3g |
Steps:
1.First, let’s prepare the ingredients. Cut a block of firm tofu in half and then into square tofu pieces. Soak the tofu in a bowl of water. Chop a segment of scallion into scallion greens. Mince a few cloves of garlic into garlic slices and then into garlic paste. Finely chop a small piece of ginger into ginger paste. Cut two small green chili peppers into rings. Cut two stalks of scallions into small scallion sections. Keep the scallions separate in a bowl. Drain the tofu and pat dry, then fry it in a pan.
2.Heat some oil in a pan, slightly more than usual, and sprinkle two grams of salt. Add the salt after the pan is heated up, which not only adds flavor to the tofu but also prevents it from sticking to the pan. After one side of the tofu turns golden brown, flip it over with chopsticks to fry the other side. Fry all sides of the tofu until the surface becomes firm and golden. Remove the tofu from the pan and arrange it on a plate. Now, let’s move on to the cooking process.
3.Heat some oil in the pan, then add the minced scallions, ginger paste, garlic paste, and green chili pepper rings. Add five grams of doubanjiang (broad bean chili paste) and three grams of oyster sauce, stir-fry until the oil turns red. Pour in a spoonful of water and turn up the heat. Cover the pan and bring the sauce to a boil. Add two grams of chicken bouillon powder and one gram of sugar. The sugar is mainly used to enhance the flavor, so adjust the amount according to personal taste preference. Add the fried tofu pieces into the sauce, reduce the heat to low, cover the pan, and simmer gently to allow the tofu to absorb the flavors. Flip the tofu pieces after one minute to ensure even absorption. Once the tofu has absorbed the flavors, drizzle a little water starch mixture over it. This will help thicken the sauce and allow it to adhere better to the tofu.
4.Once the sauce has thickened, add the small scallion sections and stir-fry them with a spatula, allowing them to fully absorb the flavors of the sauce. When the scallion sections become tender and can easily be cut with the spatula, turn off the heat and transfer the braised tofu with scallions to a serving plate. You can garnish the dish with some cilantro leaves or chopped green garlic as a decoration to enhance the taste and visual appeal. This simple and homestyle Braised Tofu with Scallions is now ready to serve.
Tips
1.Choosing fresh tofu is key to making delicious braised tofu with scallions. Fresh tofu has a delicate texture and absorbs the aroma of scallions more easily when cooked.
2.The key to braised tofu with scallions lies in the flavor of the scallions. However, using too much scallion may overpower the original taste of the tofu, so using an appropriate amount of scallion segments and minced scallion can better highlight the deliciousness of the tofu.
3.Depending on personal preference, you can add some other ingredients to the braised tofu with scallions, such as mushrooms, green peppers, shrimp, etc., to enhance the layers of texture.
Braised Tofu with Scallions is not just a delicious dish, but also a conveyance of emotions. It evokes memories of home and the tenderness of a mother. Every bite of scallion-infused tofu feels like a mother’s care and love, warming the heart. In the midst of a busy life, this dish helps one rediscover the warmth and tranquility of home.