| Prep: 20 mins | Cook: 25 mins | Difficulty: Intermediate | Serves: 6 |
| kcal | fat | saturates | carbs |
| 269 | 12g | 2g | 24g |
| sugars | fibre | protein | salt |
| 8g | 3g | 14g | 1.16g |
Why I Love Chinese Vinegar-Glazed Tofu Sheets
From the prairies of Nebraska to the bustling streets of China, my culinary journey spans continents and cuisines. Today, I bring you a marriage of Asian flavors and Midwestern practicality in my Vinegar-Glazed Tofu Sheets recipe. This dish is a testament to the beauty of simple ingredients put together masterfully – a trait I learned growing up in the heartland where farm-fresh food was always valued.
The Inspiration
My Vinegar-Glazed Tofu Sheets were inspired by the legendary Chinese-American chef, Cecilia Chiang. Renowned for her modern takes on traditional recipes, Chiang’s legacy reminds me of the importance of staying true to the craft while still daring to experiment. It was her love for tofu that ignited my interest in devising different ways to use this versatile ingredient.
A Delightful Contrast
This dish embraces contrasts – the boldness of soy sauce is mellowed by the sweetness of sugar, while the bite of fresh ginger meets the smoothness of tofu. I find these contrasts echo my dual identity – a Midwestern native fiercely proud of his roots, and a global traveler, keen on exploring new flavors.
Pairings and Complements
The Vinegar-Glazed Tofu Sheets can hold their own as a satisfying main but, if you’re looking to serve it with other dishes, consider pairing it alongside some traditionally ‘homey’ foods. A warm Quinoa and Rice Stir-fry embraces the dish in a beautiful fusion of East meets West, celebrating the best of both cuisines. Another excellent companion is a lighter dish, like this refreshing Cucumber and Radish Salad. These combinations create culinary harmony, calling one to linger over dinner, savoring each bite, as we often did back on our family farm in Nebraska.
Whether you’re an adventurous foodie looking for inspiration, or a tofu lover seeking a new way to enjoy this versatile ingredient, I hope this Vinegar-Glazed Tofu Sheets recipe becomes a treasured addition to your repertoire. Here’s to wholesome, robust food that nourishes both body and soul!
What You’ll Need
- 2 cups of firm tofu
- 3 sheets of dried tofu
- 1 cup of water
- 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil
- 3 cloves of garlic, minced
- 1 inch of fresh ginger, minced
- 1/2 cup of soy sauce
- 1/3 cup of rice vinegar
- 2 tablespoons of sugar
- 2 tablespoons of cornstarch, mixed with 2 tablespoons of water
- 2 green onions, chopped
- 1 red chili pepper, seeds removed and minced
- 1 teaspoon of sesame oil
Method
Step One
Press your firm tofu by wrapping it in a clean kitchen towel and placing a heavy object, like a book, on top of it for an hour to remove excess moisture.
Step Two
Soak the sheets of dried tofu in warm water until they become soft.
Step Three
In a large pan, heat the vegetable oil over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and ginger to the pan and cook for about 2 minutes.
Step Four
Add the pressed firm tofu and the softened dried tofu sheets to the pan. Stir everything together and cook for another 5 minutes.
Step Five
In a small bowl, combine the soy sauce, rice vinegar, sugar, and the cornstarch-water mixture. This will be your glaze.
Step Six
Pour the glaze over the tofu in the pan. Make sure all the tofu is coated in the glaze. Reduce the heat to low and let everything simmer for about 10 minutes until the glaze has thickened.
Step Seven
Add the chopped green onions and minced red chili pepper to the pan. Stir everything to combine, and let everything cook for another minute.
Step Eight
Remove the pan from the heat and drizzle the sesame oil over the tofu. Ensure the tofu is well coated before serving your Vinegar-Glazed Tofu Sheets.
