Sauce-braised tofu skin is a dish that encapsulates the nostalgic flavors of home. The thin layers of tofu skin gently roll and simmer in a hot pan, gradually becoming tender and velvety while absorbing the rich sauce. As the sauce gracefully cascades, it leaves deep traces on the tofu skin, akin to an artist adding shades to a masterpiece. With each bite, the savory essence of the sauce harmoniously blends with the delicate texture of the tofu skin, transporting one back to familiar surroundings and evoking the comforting taste of home.
Ingredients for Sauce-Braised Tofu Skin ：
| Fried tofu skin | 300g |
| Garlic | 5g |
| Sugar | 3g |
| Chili paste | 5g |
| Sesame sauce | 5g |
| Chili oil | 6g |
Step:
1.Sauce-braised tofu skin is a common and delicious snack that is packed with protein and fiber, offering a delightful texture and nutritional value. To enhance the taste and quality of this dish, it’s important to choose fresh and tender tofu skin while ensuring even color throughout. Cutting the tofu skin into uniform strips is a crucial step in preparing this dish. The width of the strips can be adjusted according to personal preference, with wider strips providing more chewiness and texture, while narrower strips cook faster and absorb seasoning better. After cutting, stacking the tofu skin strips not only adds visual appeal but also helps evenly stew them, allowing the flavors to permeate each piece. This layering technique ensures a well-balanced taste and texture.
2.Next, prepare 5 grams of garlic. Garlic is a commonly used seasoning with a pungent and distinctive aroma. Before use, gently flatten the garlic cloves with force, then mince them into small pieces. By flattening the garlic, it releases more flavor and aroma, making it easier to blend with other ingredients. Mincing the garlic into fine pieces allows it to integrate seamlessly into the dish, ensuring a spicy and aromatic taste in every bite. Garlic’s unique flavor adds depth to the dish and is believed to have various health benefits, such as boosting immunity, lowering cholesterol, and preventing colds. Therefore, using a moderate amount of garlic in cooking not only enhances the dish’s flavor but also offers some health advantages.
3.Before starting the cooking process, bring a pot of water to a boil to ensure the tofu skin is thoroughly heated. Once the water is boiling, carefully pour the tofu skin into the pot, quickly bringing it back to a boil to ensure fast cooking. Boiling the tofu skin on high heat for about 30 seconds is sufficient to remove any bean-like smell and achieve a tender and smooth texture. When the tofu skin becomes soft and floats in the pot, it indicates that they are cooked. Use long chopsticks or a sieve to remove the tofu skin from the pot and quickly rinse it with cold water to eliminate any residual fishy smell. Rinse the tofu skin with fresh water until the water runs clear, ensuring cleanliness and removing excess starch for a better texture. After rinsing, gently drain the tofu skin, using hands or chopsticks to remove excess water. This helps maintain the original texture and firmness of the tofu skin. Once the tofu skin has undergone these steps, arrange them on a plate and set aside.
4.Next, we need to heat an appropriate amount of oil in a pan. When the oil reaches the right temperature, add the minced garlic and quickly stir-fry it to release its fragrant aroma. The spicy scent of garlic combines with the high heat of the oil, creating an enticing flavor profile that adds a special touch to the dish.After sautéing the garlic until fragrant, we can proceed to season the dish. First, add around 5 grams of chili sauce to bring a hint of spiciness and a numbing flavor to the tofu skin. The unique spiciness of the chili sauce enhances the overall taste and makes it more appetizing. Then, add approximately 5 grams of sesame paste and stir-fry it to create a rich and savory sauce. The aroma and smoothness of the sesame paste contribute to the unique flavor experience of the dish. To balance the flavors, a small amount of white sugar can be added. The sweetness of the sugar elevates the umami taste of the dish and adds another layer of texture. During the quick stir-frying process, the sugar will quickly dissolve and blend with other seasonings, allowing them to fully coat the tofu skin strips.
5.Once the sauce is well mixed, drizzle a little water along the edge of the pan. This helps maintain the tenderness of the ingredients and ensures a flavorful sauce. Next, turn up the heat and quickly reduce the ginger juice. By using high heat, the ginger’s aroma and flavor can be extracted more effectively, making the whole dish more delicious. To enhance the complexity and texture of the dish, you can also choose to add a moderate amount of chili oil for seasoning. Chili oil has a strong chili aroma and a unique mouthfeel that injects vibrant color and irresistible taste into the dish. When mixed with other seasonings, chili oil gives the sauce a shiny appearance, enhancing the overall attractiveness of the dish. Finally, it is important to stir the sauce thoroughly after adding the chili oil. By quickly and evenly mixing the sauce, every piece of tofu skin can be fully coated with the chili oil and ginger juice, resulting in a well-balanced and consistent flavor throughout. This preparation method not only provides us with a diverse range of taste sensations but also ensures that every bite is filled with enticing aromas and flavors.
6.Now, evenly pour the prepared sauce over the tofu skin, making sure each strip is fully coated, enriching the flavor. With the sauce infused, the tofu skin will emit a tantalizing spicy aroma, making it irresistible. To add color and decoration, sprinkle some cilantro as a garnish. The fresh aroma and unique flavor of cilantro add a distinctive taste to the dish. Additionally, the green color of cilantro brings vitality and visual appeal, making the dish look even more enticing. After following these steps, our Sauce-Braised Tofu Skin is ready! This dish not only offers a rich texture and layered taste but also presents an alluring color and aroma. Each bite allows you to savor the smoothness of the tofu skin, the spiciness of the sauce, and the freshness of the cilantro. Now, let’s serve this delicious delicacy and enjoy it with family and friends!
Tips:
1.It is essential to control the cooking time of the tofu skin according to personal taste preferences. Overcooking should be avoided as it can make the tofu skin too soft and lose its desired texture. It is important to quickly cook the tofu skin once the water boils to ensure even heating.
2.After removing the tofu skin from the pan, it should be thoroughly rinsed with clean water. This helps to remove any residual fishy smell and excess starch, resulting in cleaner and more refreshing tofu skin.
Sauce-braised tofu skin is a colorful delicacy. The golden tofu skin elegantly stretches on the plate, resembling a beautiful ink painting. The stir-fried tofu skin absorbs the aroma of the sauce, becoming tender and juicy. Every bite is filled with the savory flavor of the sauce and the smoothness of the tofu skin, creating an enchanting culinary experience. Whether enjoyed as an appetizer or a post-meal snack, sauce-braised tofu skin is a must-try dish.