| Prep: 15 mins | Cook: 20 mins | Difficulty: Moderate | Serves: 6 |
| kcal | fat | saturates | carbs |
| 335 | 20g | 3g | 24g |
| sugars | fibre | protein | salt |
| 7g | 3g | 18g | 3.2g |
Why I Love Japanese Tofu Steak with Teriyaki Sauce
I hold great affection for this dish, the Tofu Steak with Teriyaki Sauce. The first time I created this entree, the delicate balance of savory and sweet in the teriyaki glaze enveloping the firm, seared tofu simply hit all the right notes. It wasn’t unlike a song resonating on a quiet evening at home, satisfying, ethereal and inevitably leading to an encore. A melody in harmony with my love for food exploration and my deep-seated fondness for Japanese cuisine. This enchanting recipe aligns my Louisianan roots with an adventurous culinary journey eastward, all the while preserving an elegance that is quintessentially French.
Harmonizing Tradition and Innovation
One could argue that the Tofu Steak with Teriyaki Sauce echoes the French cuisine’s emphasis on building flavors and using simple, high-quality ingredients to create a gratifying dish. While I am always inspired by my French ancestry, credit for this recipe is owed in many ways to world-renowned Japanese Chef Jiro Ono. His minimalist philosophy towards sushi, where each ingredient must shine on its own while contributing to the whole, is a mindset I sought to incorporate into this dish.
Friendships at the Table
Wide arrays of dishes could accompany the Tofu Steak with Teriyaki Sauce. A bowl of steamed rice or a side of sautéed spinach pairs wonderfully, absorbing the flavorful juices. For a more traditional Japanese setting, you may consider serving alongside Miso soup and a light salad dressed with sesame oil.
Yet, it’s not merely about what could be on your plate, it’s also about what this dish can bring to your table. Mellow tofu encased in an alluringly shiny and sticky glaze has a delightful way of enchanting guests, making mealtimes a delicious, shared adventure. It transcends the boundaries or confines of a typical dinner, turning it into an alluring exploration of tastes and textures. For me, that is the true beauty of the Tofu Steak with Teriyaki Sauce.
What You’ll Need
- 2 blocks of firm tofu
- 4 tablespoons of flour
- 4 tablespoons of olive oil
- 6 tablespoons of soy sauce
- 6 tablespoons of mirin (sweet Japanese rice wine)
- 3 tablespoons of sake (Japanese rice wine)
- 2 tablespoons of sugar
- 2 large cloves of garlic, minced
- 2 inch piece of fresh ginger, grated
- 6 green onions, sliced
Method
Step One:
Start by pressing the tofu to remove excess water. You can do this by placing the tofu blocks between two kitchen towels and placing a heavy object on top. Allow it to sit for 15-20 minutes.
Step Two:
Once the excess water is removed from the tofu, cut them into thick slices. Coat each slice evenly with flour.
Step Three:
Heat the olive oil in a pan over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the flour-coated tofu slices. Cook them until they are golden brown on both sides, which will usually take about 3-4 minutes per side. Once cooked, remove the tofu from the pan and set them aside.
Step Four:
In the same pan, add the soy sauce, mirin, sake, and sugar. Stir well until the sugar is dissolved.
Step Five:
Add in the minced garlic and grated ginger to the pan. Stir it into the sauce and let it cook for a minute or so until the garlic and ginger are fragrant.
Step Six:
Return the tofu slices back to the pan and let them simmer in the sauce. Make sure to spoon the sauce over the top of the tofu so they are fully coated. Simmer for about 5 minutes until the tofu has absorbed some of the flavors of the sauce.
Step Seven:
Serve the tofu steaks hot, topped with the teriyaki sauce from the pan and a sprinkle of sliced green onions. Enjoy your Tofu Steak with Teriyaki Sauce!
