Spicy Cumin Tofu Recipe
Cumin Stir-Fried Tofu is a popular home-style dish. Today, we’re sharing an improved version that adds chili powder to the traditional cumin stir-fried tofu, turning it into a flavorful and appetizing Spicy Cumin Tofu. This dish is perfect for those who enjoy spicy food. If you’re not a fan of too much heat, you can adjust the amount of chili powder to your liking, or even leave it out entirely, and still make a delicious cumin stir-fried tofu with this recipe. It’s a very flexible dish that can satisfy both bold and mild flavor preferences.
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Spicy Cumin Tofu is a traditional dish from southern China, known for its smoky aroma and rich flavors. The recipe is quite simple and doesn't require advanced cooking skills or special equipment, making it easy for even beginners to prepare. In the following steps, we will provide detailed instructions and tips to help you master every key point, ensuring you can perfectly recreate this flavorful and spicy dish, Spicy Cumin Tofu.
1. Introduction to Spicy Cumin Tofu
Spicy Cumin Tofu is a distinctive Chinese dish that transforms ordinary tofu into something unique and irresistibly flavorful. Fresh tofu is the star ingredient, providing a silky, tender texture as the foundation of this dish. The key to its flavor lies in cumin, which serves as the soul of the recipe. With its exotic aroma, rich, smoky notes, cumin instantly elevates the overall taste. When combined with the fiery kick of chili, this dish becomes even more vibrant and lively. Spicy Cumin Tofu is perfect as a main dish paired with rice, or it can be served as a side dish.
2. Culture and Dining Scene
In the vast world of culinary culture, Spicy Cumin Tofu holds a unique position. It can be a simple yet delicious home-cooked dish, perfect for busy weeknight dinners or laid-back weekend gatherings. At the same time, it’s a popular street food found at bustling food stalls. Enjoying a steaming plate of Spicy Cumin Tofu amidst the lively streets, with its bold and fiery flavors exploding in your mouth, offers a distinct and authentic street food experience.
3. Ingredients
To make Spicy Cumin Tofu, the following ingredients are needed, each playing a unique role in creating the dish’s flavor and texture:
Tofu: The main ingredient, providing structure and a smooth, tender texture. It's also rich in protein and calcium.
Soy sauce: Adds savory depth and enhances the color of the dish.
Chili powder: Brings heat and spice, boosting appetite with its fiery flavor.
Cornstarch: Used to thicken the sauce, giving it a smooth and even consistency.
Salt: Balances the overall flavor and enhances the natural taste of the ingredients.
Chicken bouillon: Further enriches the umami flavor, adding depth to the dish.
Cumin: The soul of the recipe, providing its signature exotic aroma and smoky taste, making the dish captivating.
Sesame seeds: Adds both fragrance and texture, enriching the dish’s overall flavor.
Water: Helps balance the texture and consistency of the sauce, allowing the seasonings to blend more smoothly.
These ingredients work in harmony to create the distinctive taste of Spicy Cumin Tofu.
4. How to Make the Perfect Spicy Cumin Tofu
Below is a brief overview of the steps to make Spicy Cumin Tofu. For detailed instructions with images, please refer to the tutorial at the bottom.
1.Cut the tofu into pieces and pan-fry until both sides are golden brown.
2.Add cornstarch water to thicken the sauce and coat the tofu.
3.Stir in chili powder, soy sauce, and other seasonings.
4.Simmer until the sauce reduces, then it’s ready to serve.
5. Tips and Tricks for Making Spicy Cumin Tofu
Key Considerations
Ingredient Selection
Tofu: Choose firm, smooth tofu without noticeable air pockets. Avoid tofu with a sour or off smell.
Seasonings: Ensure the cumin is aromatic and free from off smells, and use fresh chili powder. Avoid using expired or stale seasonings.
Cooking Process
Handling Tofu: Use a sharp knife to cut the tofu evenly. If you’re not cooking immediately, soak the tofu in lightly salted water to preserve its texture.
Pan-frying Tofu: Preheat the pan thoroughly and pan-fry on medium-low heat until both sides are golden brown. Shake the pan gently to prevent sticking, and if sticking occurs, carefully lift the tofu with a spatula.
Seasoning: Add cumin and chili powder according to your taste, and stir-fry quickly to evenly coat the tofu.
Tips
Enhancing Flavor: Sprinkle a small amount of salt and pepper on the tofu before frying. Add minced garlic for extra aroma, and top with chopped green onions before serving.
Texture Improvement: Double-fry the tofu for a crispier outer layer, and thicken the sauce at the end to intensify the flavor.
6. How to Store Spicy Cumin Tofu
Refrigeration: If you have leftovers, store Spicy Cumin Tofu in an airtight container and refrigerate. It can be kept for 1-2 days.
Freezing: For longer storage, seal the Spicy Cumin Tofu and freeze it. It can last for at least a week, though freezing may slightly affect the texture.
Reheating: When ready to eat, heat the Spicy Cumin Tofu in the microwave for about 5 minutes. For frozen tofu, make sure to thaw it first before reheating.
7. More Delicious Tofu Recipes to Try
Here is the detailed step-by-step tutorial for making Spicy Cumin Tofu. Let’s get started and create this delicious dish together!
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INGREDIENTS
MAIN INGREDIENTS
- 400g tofu
ACCESSORIES
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1g chopped green onions
SEASONINGS
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon salt
- 1 tablespoon chicken bouillon
- 1 tablespoon cumin
- 1 tablespoon sesame seeds
- 20ml cooking oil
- 250ml water
DIRECTIONS
STEP 1
Prepare all the ingredients for Spicy Cumin Tofu.
STEP 2
Clean and cut 400g of tofu into evenly sized pieces.
STEP 3
Heat 20ml of cooking oil in a frying pan, then add the tofu.
STEP 4
Fry the tofu until both sides are golden brown.
STEP 5
Prepare the cornstarch mixture: Combine 1 tablespoon cornstarch, 1 tablespoon salt, 1 tablespoon soy sauce, 1 tablespoon chicken bouillon with 30ml water, and mix well.
STEP 6
Pour the cornstarch mixture into the pan with the tofu and cook.
STEP 7
Once the sauce thickens, add 1 tablespoon chili powder, 1 tablespoon cumin, and 1 tablespoon sesame seeds.
STEP 8
Stir-fry the tofu and seasonings until well combined.
STEP 9
Add 1g of chopped green onions, then remove from heat.
STEP 10
Your delicious Spicy Cumin Tofu is ready to enjoy!
Frequently asked questions:
1.What should tofu not be mixed with?
When cooking and storing tofu, avoid mixing it with the following ingredients:
Strongly acidic foods: Such as lemon juice or vinegar, which can react with the protein in tofu, making it sticky or causing it to break down.
Highly alkaline foods: Such as baking soda, which can spoil the tofu and affect its texture.
High-salt foods: Excessive salt can make tofu too salty and alter the overall flavor.
Iron cookware: Tofu can absorb metal, so using iron pots or pans may cause tofu to discolor or develop a metallic taste.
Avoiding these combinations helps maintain the tofu’s texture and flavor, ensuring a healthy and delicious result.
2.How to Flavor Plain Tofu?
Seasoning tofu can enhance its flavor. Here are some popular methods:
Soy Sauce, Scallions, Ginger, and Garlic: Cut tofu into cubes or slices, drizzle with soy sauce, and sprinkle with chopped scallions, ginger, and garlic to enhance its savory taste.
Sesame Oil and Vinegar: A splash of sesame oil and vinegar adds aroma and flavor, making it especially good for cold tofu dishes.
Chili Oil: Drizzle with chili oil or chili paste to add a spicy kick and create a richer taste.
Garlic Sauce: Mash garlic into a paste, mix with a bit of salt and soy sauce, and pour over tofu for a flavorful and appetizing dish.
Cumin Powder: Sprinkle cumin powder on tofu to impart a unique spiced flavor and elevate the overall taste.
Black Bean Sauce: This traditional sauce is rich and flavorful, perfect for marinating or stir-frying tofu to enhance its taste.
Feel free to experiment with these seasoning methods to add more flavor to plain tofu according to your taste preferences.
3.Why Do People Soak Tofu in Brine Before Frying?
Prevent Splitting During Frying: Soaking tofu in brine forms a protective layer on the tofu’s surface, which helps reduce the likelihood of it breaking apart during frying. This helps maintain the tofu’s integrity.
Enhance Texture and Flavor: The seasonings in the brine can penetrate the tofu, allowing it to absorb some of the flavors and enhance its taste. Additionally, this protective layer helps the tofu stay tender and flavorful while frying.
4.What Can Tofu Be Paired With?
Tofu pairs well with a variety of ingredients. Here are some common combinations:
Meats
Pork: Ground pork, as used in dishes like Mapo Tofu, complements the tofu, adding richness and depth to the dish.
Shrimp: Steaming tofu with shrimp allows the shrimp’s delicate flavor to infuse into the tofu, enhancing its tenderness and taste.
Vegetables
Cabbage: Cooking tofu with cabbage balances the tofu’s bean flavor with the cabbage's sweetness, creating a richer taste.
Shiitake Mushrooms: Braising tofu with shiitake mushrooms enhances the tofu's flavor with the mushrooms' aroma while adding extra nutrition.
Seafood
Shellfish: Cooking tofu with clams or other shellfish in a soup provides a delicious flavor and a significant calcium boost.
Eggs
Eggs: Adding tofu cubes to steamed egg custard enhances texture and nutritional value, creating a dish with layered flavors.
Recipe analyzer
- Recipes: Spicy Cumin Tofu Recipe
- Main Ingredients:4
- Servings per recipe:1
- Servings size:417 g
-
Energy (calories)：1137 kcal
-
Protein：69.87 g
-
Fat：81.87 g
Why gray?
-
Carbohydrates：53.31 g
-
Protein: 21%242 kcal
-
Fat: 60%685 kcal
-
Carbohydrates: 19%211 kcal
The ratio shows whether the proportion of both fatty acids in your diet is optimal. Red color means too much of Omega 6 or too little of Omega 3. The data are rounded off and approximate.
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