When served, stuffed tofu presents a delightful combination of tender outer tofu and flavorful inner filling. The fragrant essence of tofu harmoniously merges with the deliciousness of minced meat, creating an unforgettable taste. Whether through its fresh aroma or exquisite savor, it captivates the senses. The tofu’s soft and delicate exterior effortlessly melts upon each bite, while the interior filling is juicy, tender, and bursting with flavor. This contrasting mouthfeel leaves an insatiable desire to indulge further. Moreover, stuffed tofu boasts rich nutrition and ease of digestion, making it a delectable dish suitable for people of all ages.
Ingredients for Stuffed tofu
| Firm tofu | 500g |
| Freshwater shrimp | 200g |
| Pork ham | half |
| Pea | 50g |
| Green pepper | half |
| Red pepper | half |
| Ginger | 9g |
| Edible oil | 200g |
| Oyster sauce | 5g |
| Light soy sauce | 5g |
| Salt | 2g |
| Sugar | 3g |
| Pepper powder | 1g |
| Dark soy sauce | 2g |
| Starch | 3g |
| Sesame oil | 4g |
| Coriander | 5g |
Steps:
1.Firstly, let’s prepare the ingredients. Cut 500g of firm tofu into even rectangular pieces. Remove the heads and tails of 200g of shrimp, peel off the shells, and devein them using a toothpick. Rinse the shrimp in clean water, then cut them into small sections. Slice half a piece of ham sausage into thick slices, then cut it into small cubes. Combine 50g of peas with the ham sausage. Take half each of a green and red bell pepper, remove the seeds, and dice them for garnishing. Slice a small piece of ginger into thin slices, then chop it into ginger cubes.
2.Next, we will deep-fry the tofu. Add an adequate amount of cooking oil to a pan and heat it to about 50% hot. Slide the prepared tofu pieces into the pan one by one. Fry over low heat for 2 minutes, constantly shaking the pan to prevent the tofu from sticking to the bottom. Gently push the tofu around to ensure even heating. After 2 minutes, the tofu will turn golden on the surface. Pour out the excess oil.
3.Leave some oil in the pan and heat it up. Stir-fry the minced ginger until fragrant. Add 5g of oyster sauce and stir-fry. Then add the fried tofu and peas, stir-frying everything evenly. Pour in the diced shrimp and stir-fry until the shrimp turns opaque. Now it’s time to season. Drizzle 5g of light soy sauce around the edges of the pan, then add 2g of salt, a little sugar for flavor, 1g of white pepper powder. Quickly stir-fry to coat the ingredients well. After mixing thoroughly, transfer the cooked dish to a serving bowl.
4.Moving on, let’s handle the fried tofu. Cut one side of the tofu open, leaving one edge intact, and scoop out the tofu from the center, leaving the golden shell. Fill the hollowed tofu with the stir-fried shrimp and other ingredients, one by one. Place them in a serving dish.
5.Now, we will steam the tofu. Add an adequate amount of water to a pot and place a steaming rack inside. Cover the pot with a lid and bring the water to a boil over high heat. Put the tofu on the rack and steam for 8 minutes. After 8 minutes, the tofu will be fully cooked and infused with flavors. Remove the tofu from the pot and set it aside.
6.Heat some oil in the pan again. Once hot, stir-fry the prepared green and red bell peppers briefly. Drizzle a suitable amount of water around the edges of the pan, add 2g of dark soy sauce for color, then pour in a little water starch. Cook over high heat until the sauce thickens. Add a small amount of sesame oil to enhance the appearance. Stir well and remove from heat.
7.Pour the sauce evenly over the stuffed tofu. Finally, garnish with a little chopped cilantro. Now, it’s ready to be served.
Tips
1.Choose fresh soybeans to make tofu; do not use expired or moldy soybeans.
2.Pan-fry the tofu: Add an appropriate amount of oil to a frying pan, place the tofu blocks filled with stuffing into the pan, carefully flip and fry until both sides turn golden brown.
3.Prepare the stuffing: Choose fresh ingredients to make the stuffing, commonly used ones include minced meat and shrimp. You can add seasonings and vegetables according to personal taste.
4.Pan-fry the tofu: Add an appropriate amount of oil to a frying pan, place the tofu blocks filled with stuffing into the pan, carefully flip and fry until both sides turn golden brown.
Making stuffed tofu is not just a delicacy, but also a symbol of emotions. It represents the flavors of my hometown and the reunion with loved ones, constantly reminding me of my roots as someone who is living far from home. I hope this traditional beauty can be preserved for eternity, bringing joyous memories and feelings to more people.