Steaming Soft Tofu: A Chinese Delicacy

Chinese steamed tofu is a quick, easy, and tasty dish that can be served as a hot appetiser, light main dish with rice, or as part of a multi-course meal. It is a vegan-friendly, gluten-free, and healthy meal that can be prepared in a microwave, making it perfect for when you're short on time or don't want to use the kitchen stove. The tofu is steamed and then served with a savoury sauce, often including ingredients such as garlic, ginger, scallions, and soy sauce. The tofu has a soft and silky texture, and the dish can be customised with various toppings and sauces to suit your taste.

Preparingsection title>: how to get tofu out of its packaging without breaking it

Preparing: How to get tofu out of its packaging without breaking it

Silken tofu is a popular ingredient in Chinese cuisine and is used in a variety of dishes, from salads to stews and soups. However, it can be challenging to remove tofu from its packaging without breaking it. Here are some tips to help you get the tofu out of its box intact:

• Use a small knife or a pair of scissors to carefully trim off the edges of the tofu box and remove the plastic paper. Be careful not to cut too deep, as you don't want to damage the tofu itself.
• Make a small incision at the side of the box, between the tofu and the wall. Let slow-running water sip into the incision. Repeat this step for each side. The tofu will start to float as it fills with water.
• Place a plate over the box, covering it completely.
• Carefully flip the box over so that the plate is now on the bottom.
• Gently remove the box, and you should have a perfect tofu ready for cooking!

With these simple steps, you can easily get your tofu out of its packaging without breaking it. Now you're ready to start preparing your Chinese steamed tofu dish!

Cooking method: steaming tofu for 6-10 minutes

Steaming tofu is a great way to prepare tofu, especially if you're in a hurry to prepare a quick lunch or dinner. It's also a good way to remove the raw soybean taste from uncooked tofu. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to steam tofu for 6-10 minutes:

Step 1: Prepare the tofu

Start by draining any excess water from the tofu package. Carefully remove the tofu from the packaging by flipping it over onto a plate. It's recommended to use a footed heatproof plate or dish that can withstand high temperatures (oven/microwave-safe).

Step 2: Cut the tofu

Slice the tofu into cubes or pieces. The size of the pieces may vary depending on your preference. Some recipes suggest cutting the tofu into 1/2 to 1-inch thick pieces, while others suggest cutting it into 2 cm thick pieces.

Step 3: Set up the steamer

Prepare your steamer by adding 2 inches of water to the pot and heating it over medium-high heat. You can also use a pan with some water and a footed serving dish placed over the water. Place the tofu on a plate that fits into your steamer, with as little overlap as possible. If using a pan, cover it and wait for the water to boil and create steam.

Step 4: Steam the tofu

Once the water is boiling, place the steaming rack into the pot and cover it. Steam the tofu for 6-10 minutes. The exact steaming time may vary depending on the recipe and your preference. After steaming, carefully remove the plate from the steamer and let it cool for a few minutes.

Step 5: Drain excess water

Tilt the plate to drain off as much water as possible. This step helps to remove the moisture from the tofu and creates a silkier texture.

Step 6: Prepare the sauce (optional)

While the tofu is steaming, you can prepare a sauce to drizzle over it. There are various sauce options, such as soy sauce, sweet soy sauce, garlic, scallions, cilantro, oyster sauce, and more. You can also experiment with different toppings, such as crushed peanuts, fresh herbs, celery leaves, or sesame seeds.

Step 7: Serve the tofu

After draining the water and preparing the sauce, pour the sauce over the tofu and serve it immediately. You can serve steamed tofu as a side dish, appetizer, or main course, pairing it with rice, congee, or noodles. Enjoy your delicious and healthy Chinese steamed tofu!

Sauce: making a savoury soy sauce and garlic dressing

To make a savoury soy sauce and garlic dressing to accompany your Chinese steamed tofu, you'll need the following ingredients:

• 2-3 cloves of garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons of light soy sauce (low sodium)
• 1 tablespoon of oyster sauce (vegetarian)
• 1/2 tablespoon of black vinegar
• 1/2 to 1 teaspoon of salt
• 1/4 teaspoon of sugar (optional)
• 1/2 tablespoon of chilli oil (optional)

While your tofu is steaming, make the sauce by heating a small amount of oil in a pan or wok. Add the garlic and fry until golden brown. Then, add the light soy sauce, oyster sauce, black vinegar, and sugar and salt to taste. If you like your food spicy, add some chilli oil. Pour the sauce over the tofu and serve immediately.

Aromatics: frying aromatics in hot oil until fragrant

Aromatics are an essential component of Chinese steamed tofu, adding depth of flavour and aroma to the dish. To fry aromatics effectively, follow these steps:

First, gather your chosen aromatics. Common choices for Chinese steamed tofu include garlic, ginger, scallions (spring onions), and green onions. You can use a single aromatic or a combination of several, depending on your preference.

Next, heat a small amount of oil in a skillet or wok over medium heat. You can use peanut oil, vegetable oil, canola oil, or another similar cooking oil. Heat the oil until it is hot but not smoking.

Once the oil is hot, add your chosen aromatics to the pan. For example, if using garlic and ginger, mince or grate the garlic and ginger before adding them to the hot oil. Fry the aromatics for a short time, stirring occasionally, until they become fragrant. This should only take a minute or so.

For scallions, you can separate the white and green parts. Add the white parts first and cook for 30 seconds before adding the green parts, as the white parts will take slightly longer to cook.

If using green onions, simply chop them into your desired size. You can also add a small amount of the green onions to the hot oil to enhance the flavour of the dish.

Once your aromatics are fragrant and lightly cooked, they are ready to be used in your Chinese steamed tofu dish. You can drizzle the hot oil and aromatics over the plated tofu, adding a sizzling aroma and flavour to the tofu.

Feel free to experiment with different combinations of aromatics and adjust the cooking time as needed to avoid overcooking or burning.

Serving suggestions: serving tofu warm or cold, with rice or noodles

Chinese steamed tofu is a versatile dish that can be served in a variety of ways, depending on your preference. Here are some serving suggestions for enjoying it with rice or noodles, either warm or cold:

Warm Tofu with Rice or Noodles:

• Cantonese-Style Steamed Tofu: Prepare soft or silken tofu by cutting it in half lengthwise and then slicing it into 1/2-inch crosswise slices. Place the tofu on a large, heatproof rimmed plate or shallow bowl, sprinkling it with salt. Steam the tofu for about 10 minutes. Meanwhile, prepare a sauce by heating oil and adding ingredients like ginger, scallions, cilantro, and soy sauce. Pour the sauce over the steamed tofu and serve it immediately with rice.
• Spicy Rice Noodles with Crispy Tofu: Cut firm tofu into 1/2-inch cubes and toss with salt, peanut oil, and sesame oil. Coat the tofu with cornstarch, panko, and sesame seeds, then bake until golden brown and crisp. Prepare wide rice noodles separately by soaking them in boiling water. Make a spicy sesame oil by combining sesame oil, peanut oil, garlic, ginger, red pepper flakes, and sesame seeds. Chop basil and scallions into a paste and mix it with the noodles. Add baby spinach and pour the hot oil over it. Arrange the tofu on top of the noodles or mix it in.
• Sweet and Spicy Tofu with Soba Noodles: Cut firm tofu into 1-inch cubes and pat them dry. Heat vegetable oil and sesame oil in a skillet, adding the tofu and cooking until golden. Cook soba noodles separately and drain them. In the same skillet, add garlic, ginger, and scallions with sesame oil. Toss the cooked noodles with the sauce, red pepper, and scallions. Gently mix in the tofu, ensuring it's coated with the sauce. Serve warm with lime.

Cold Tofu with Rice or Noodles:

• Silken Tofu with Spicy Soy Dressing: Prepare a spicy soy dressing by combining soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, chile oil, sesame seeds, sugar, and scallions. Drain the liquid from a block of silken tofu and gently pat it dry. You can serve the tofu whole or cut it into blocks or cubes. Spoon the dressing over the tofu and top with scallions and cilantro. Enjoy it as-is or with rice or noodles on the side. This dish is inspired by cold silken tofu dishes from East Asia, such as Japanese hiyayakko and Chinese liangban tofu.
• Steamed Tofu with Garlic, Scallion, and Soy Sauce: Steam a block of silken tofu for about 5 minutes and drain the liquid. Heat a combination of canola oil and garlic in the microwave until the garlic turns golden brown. Mix in light and sweet soy sauce. Arrange scallions on top of the tofu and drizzle the garlic sauce over it. Serve immediately with rice or noodles.

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