Steaming Tofu In A Rice Cooker: How Long Does It Take?

Tofu is a staple in Asian cuisine and can be prepared in many ways. It is vegan-friendly, rich in protein, and easy to prepare as a side or main dish. Tofu can be steamed, stir-fried, added to soups, or even cooked in a rice cooker. When steamed, tofu has a silkier and less watery texture, and its raw soybean taste is removed, giving it a cleaner flavour.

There are various recipes for cooking tofu in a rice cooker, such as tofu red curry, mapo tofu rice, and steamed tofu with garlic soy dressing. The cooking time for tofu in a rice cooker varies depending on the recipe, but it typically ranges from 5 to 45 minutes.

How to steam tofu in a rice cooker

Steaming tofu is a great way to add variety to your dinner table. It helps to remove moisture from the tofu, making it silkier and less watery, and it also gets rid of the raw soybean taste. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to steam tofu in a rice cooker:

Step 1: Prepare the tofu

Start by rinsing a block of soft tofu under water and draining it. Soft tofu is recommended as it yields the best results, but medium or firm tofu can also be used. Slice the tofu into 1/2-inch thick pieces.

Step 2: Set up the rice cooker

Fill the rice cooker pot with water and place it on the stove. Bring the water to a boil over medium-high heat. While you're waiting for the water to boil, arrange the tofu slices on a plate that fits inside your steamer rack. Try to avoid overlapping the tofu slices.

Step 3: Steam the tofu

Once the water is boiling, carefully place the steaming rack into the rice cooker. Cover the pot and steam the tofu for about 6 minutes. The exact timing may vary depending on your rice cooker and the size of the tofu, so keep an eye on it to ensure it doesn't overcook.

Step 4: Drain and season the tofu

When the tofu is done, carefully remove the plate from the steamer. Let it cool for a few minutes, then tilt the plate to drain off as much water as possible. You can also blot the tofu gently with a paper towel to absorb any excess moisture.

At this point, you can season the tofu with your choice of sauces and spices. A simple option is to drizzle it with soy sauce, but you can also get creative and experiment with different combinations of aromatics, oils, and sauces. For example, you could try frying some garlic, ginger, and green onions in hot oil until fragrant and then pouring it over the tofu.

Step 5: Serve the tofu

Steamed tofu can be served warm or cold, as a side dish or a light main course. It goes well with steamed rice and can be part of a multi-course meal. Enjoy the silky texture and mild flavour of your freshly steamed tofu!

How long to steam tofu in a microwave

Steaming tofu in a microwave is a quick and easy process. The length of time it takes to steam tofu in a microwave depends on the type of tofu and the desired texture.

Silken tofu is the softest variety and requires the least amount of steaming time. To steam silken tofu in a microwave, simply place the tofu on a microwave-safe dish and heat for 45 seconds to 1 minute until hot. This will result in a silky smooth texture.

For firmer tofu, such as soft or medium tofu, steaming time can range from 5 to 8 minutes. It is recommended to cover the tofu with a piece of wax paper and cook at 80% power to prevent the tofu from "bursting" or "exploding".

Regardless of the type of tofu used, it is important to drain off any excess water after steaming to ensure a smooth and creamy texture.

Additionally, it is worth noting that steaming tofu serves two purposes. Firstly, it removes moisture from the tofu, resulting in a silkier and less watery texture. Secondly, it helps to eliminate the raw soybean taste, giving the tofu a cleaner flavor.

Tofu red curry in a rice cooker

Ingredients:

• Vegetable oil
• Garlic cloves, minced
• Red curry paste
• Vegetable broth
• Brown sugar, or turbinado sugar
• Sliced bamboo shoots
• Red bell pepper, cored and julienned
• Firm tofu, drained and cut into cubes
• Fresh lime juice (optional)
• Coconut milk
• Fish sauce (optional)

Method:

• Place the oil, garlic, curry paste, vegetable broth, fish sauce (if using), and brown sugar in the rice cooker inner pot. Stir until the curry paste has dissolved completely.
• Add the bamboo shoots, bell pepper, and tofu cubes, and stir.
• Close the lid and select the Slow Cook function. Set the timer for 45 minutes and press start.
• When there's 15 minutes left on the timer, open the lid and stir in the coconut milk. Close the lid and continue cooking.
• Once the timer goes off, open the lid and stir in the lime juice (if using). Serve with rice or naan bread and a lime wedge.

Tips:

• If you like your curry spicy, use 3 tablespoons of red curry paste instead of 2.
• For an extra kick of spice, add 2-3 sliced Thai chillies.
• You can also add chicken or shrimp to this recipe if you want to include meat.

Steamed tofu with garlic soy dressing

A delicious and healthy side dish that can be prepared in under 15 minutes, this steamed tofu with garlic soy dressing is best served with rice.

Ingredients:

• 2 tbsps vegetable oil
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1 block (14 oz or 400g) silken tofu or medium firm tofu
• 1 green onion, finely sliced
• Katsuobushi (dried bonito shavings)
• Toasted sesame seeds
• Shichimi togarashi (seven-flavor chili pepper)

Method:

Place the vegetable oil and garlic in a small microwave-safe dish and microwave on high for 1½ minutes. Remove from the microwave and add soy sauce and mirin. Stir to combine.

Remove the tofu from its container and drain the excess liquid. Place the tofu in a separate microwave-safe dish and cover with a piece of wax paper. Place the tofu in the microwave and cook for 5 minutes at 80% power. Alternatively, you can steam the tofu in a steamer for 5-10 minutes.

Remove the tofu from the microwave and drain off any excess liquid. Transfer to a serving dish, if preferred. Spoon the dressing over the tofu and garnish with spring onions and optional toppings.

Tips:

• Reducing the power level in the microwave prevents tofu from "bursting" or "exploding" during cooking.
• This dish may be served family-style in the center of the table or in individual portions.
• It is delicious with steamed rice.

One-pot Mapo tofu rice in a rice cooker

Ingredients:

• 3 tbsp garlic, minced
• 3 tbsp ginger, minced
• 1 tbsp fresh Sichuan peppercorn powder
• 14 oz soft tofu, cubed
• Cooked white rice, for serving
• Green onion, chopped (for garnish)
• Vegetable oil
• Ground pork
• Soy sauce
• Cornstarch
• Water
• Chilli oil (optional)

Method:

• Rehydrate 6-8 dried Chinese mushrooms in warm water for at least one hour. Drain and slice or chop finely.
• Place all the ingredients in a rice cooker and press the cook button.
• When the cooking has finished, mix everything well in the rice pot.
• Drizzle with chilli oil when serving.

Tips:

• For a vegetarian option, use finely diced shiitake mushrooms in place of the ground pork.
• For a vegan option, use vegetarian stir-fry sauce instead of oyster sauce.
• If you don't have a rice cooker, you can steam tofu in a steamer for 5-6 minutes.

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