Spicy Tofu Chinese Snack
In China, tofu can be prepared in many different ways—pan-fried, deep-fried, steamed, or stir-fried. Among the most famous tofu dishes is Mapo Tofu. Today, we are sharing a spicy tofu recipe that rivals Mapo Tofu in flavor. Known for its bold, spicy, and savory taste, this dish is a true delight whether enjoyed on its own or as a side dish. The rich and flavorful spicy tofu is sure to offer a mouthwatering experience
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This dish uses a unique Chinese ingredient called dried tofu, which is a processed version of tofu. It has a savory, chewy texture, and it's perfect for those who enjoy bold flavors. If you've never tried it before, this is a great opportunity, because you'll likely fall in love with it! Don’t worry—this recipe is simple and doesn’t require any complicated ingredients or equipment. We’ll share all the key tips and tricks to make sure you can easily recreate this delicious dish.
1. What is Spicy Tofu?
Spicy tofu is a flavorful Chinese dish known for its bold, spicy, and savory taste. The main ingredient is tofu, which is carefully cooked with a blend of spices and chili peppers. The dish is characterized by its tender and delicate texture, with each bite offering layers of rich flavor and an intense kick of spice. It's a perfect choice for those who enjoy spicy food and tofu lovers looking for a unique culinary experience.
2. Ingredients Needed
To make this recipe, you'll need the following ingredients:
Dried tofu
Garlic
Chili powder
Cumin powder
Soy sauce
Oil
Salt
Sugar
3. Where to Buy Dried Tofu
Dried tofu is a specialty Chinese ingredient that you can easily find at local Chinese grocery stores. With the convenience of online shopping, you can also purchase it directly from platforms like Amazon. If you have access to similar soy products in your area, they can be used as a substitute. Below is an image of dried tofu for reference.
Dried tofu is one of the traditional Chinese soy products and is a processed form of tofu. It has a savory, slightly chewy texture and is rich in nutrients, including protein, fat, carbohydrates, and various beneficial minerals like calcium, phosphorus, and iron.
During its production, dried tofu is often seasoned with salt, fennel, Sichuan peppercorns, star anise, and dried ginger, which give it a distinctive aroma and taste. Its delicious flavor makes it a popular choice for many, and it's sometimes referred to as "vegetarian ham" because of its satisfying taste and texture.
4. Tips for Making Perfect Spicy Tofu
To create the perfect spicy tofu, consider the following tips:
Control the Heat: Proper heat control is crucial when stir-frying spicy tofu. Avoid cooking on too high or too low heat to prevent the tofu from becoming mushy or burnt. Use medium to low heat to slowly stir-fry the tofu, allowing it to absorb the flavors of the seasonings.
Seasoning Adjustments: Adjust the amount of chili powder and pepper according to your taste preferences to achieve a balanced spicy and savory flavor. In this recipe, the suggested amounts are 20 grams of chili powder and 10 grams of pepper powder. Feel free to adjust these quantities based on your desired level of heat for the perfect taste.
5. What to Pair with Spicy Tofu
This flavorful spicy tofu, with its rich Chinese-style taste, pairs well with a variety of dishes. You can enjoy it on its own as a snack, or serve it alongside rice and salad. Both combinations offer a delightful balance and enhance the overall dining experience.
6. How to store spicy tofu
Spicy tofu is a cooked food. When storing it, you need to pay attention to the following aspects:
Refrigerated storage:
Put the spicy tofu in a sealed container or food bag, expel the air as much as possible, and then put it in the refrigerator. In a refrigerated environment, spicy tofu can usually be stored for 1-2 days.
Frozen storage:
If you want to store spicy tofu for a long time, you can put it in a sealed container or food bag and then put it in the freezer of the refrigerator. However, in a frozen state, although spicy tofu can be stored for a long time, the taste will change.
Precautions:
When storing spicy tofu, make sure it is completely cooled before putting it in the refrigerator to prevent the generation of water vapor and cause deterioration. In addition, the number of times the spicy tofu is taken out of the refrigerator should be minimized, otherwise it will affect its quality and taste.
7. More Delicious Tofu Recipes
Crucian Carp and Tofu Soup
Below is a detailed picture and text tutorial for this spicy tofu recipe. Come and make it together!
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INGREDIENTS
MAIN INGREDIENTS
- 500g dried tofu
ACCESSORIES
- 250ml oil
- 80g garlic
- 10g cumin powder
- 3.5 tablespoons soy sauce
- 20g chili powder
- 1.5 teaspoons (5g) salt
- 3 teaspoons sugar
- 30g water
DIRECTIONS
STEP 1
Wash 500g of dried tofu and cut it into 8 small triangular pieces.
Tips:
500g of dried tofu has about 6 to 8 pieces, but the specific number may vary slightly depending on the production method and packaging specifications of the dried tofu.
STEP 2
Pour 250ml of oil into the pot and heat it up over high heat.
Tips:
To determine whether the oil is ok, put chopsticks in it. If bubbles appear around the edges, turn down the heat to medium or low.
STEP 3
Put the cut tofu into oil and fry it over low heat. The surface of the tofu will bubble at first, then the whole tofu will expand and finally the color will darken.
STEP 4
After frying, take it out and let it cool. At this time, the expanded tofu will shrink.
STEP 5
Sauce: 1.5 teaspoons of salt + 3 teaspoons of sugar (the spoon I used is about 5g salt + 8g sugar), 3.5 tablespoons of soy sauce + 10 grams of cumin powder + appropriate amount of chili powder (I added 15g)
STEP 6
Chop the garlic into minced pieces and set aside.
STEP 7
Heat a proper amount of oil in a pan, add the minced garlic and stir-fry over low heat until it turns slightly yellow and has a garlic aroma.
STEP 8
Add the prepared sauce and mix well.
STEP 9
Add the fried dried tofu and stir-fry, then add half a bowl of water and cook over high heat.
Tips:
The purpose of adding water is to cook the garlic flavor in, and you can take it out when it is dry.
STEP 10
Take it out and put it on a plate, and the spicy and delicious spicy tofu is ready.
Frequently Asked Questions:
1. How to season tofu?
In daily life, there are many ways to season tofu. Here are some common seasoning methods:
Seasoning with soy sauce: Soy sauce is one of the most commonly used seasonings, which can add a salty and fragrant flavor to tofu. Cut the tofu into pieces or dices, marinate it in soy sauce, so that the tofu can fully absorb the salty and fragrant soy sauce.
Seasoning with pepper: Pepper can give tofu a spicy flavor. You can use pepper powder, pepper sauce or fresh pepper for seasoning. Mix the pepper seasoning with an appropriate amount of salt, sugar and soy sauce, and soak the tofu cubes in it to ensure that the flavor is absorbed.
Seasoning with bean paste: Bean paste is a common Chinese seasoning with a strong flavor. You can first stir-fry the bean paste with garlic and minced ginger, then add the tofu cubes and stir-fry, so that the tofu can absorb the rich flavor of the bean paste.
Seasoning with five spices: Five-spice powder brings a unique aroma to tofu. Mix the five-spice powder with salt and sugar, apply it evenly on the tofu cubes, marinate for a while, and then fry or stir-fry.
Seasoning with clear stew: For those who like light taste, you can choose tofu stew. Simmer tofu cubes with vegetables and chicken broth or stock, and the tofu will absorb the flavors of the broth.
2. What is spicy tofu good for?
Spicy tofu is widely loved for its spicy flavor and rich taste. It can be used as a main dish or side dish, and is an excellent choice with rice or pasta. The tender and smooth taste of tofu and the spicy taste of chili peppers blend perfectly to bring a unique flavor experience.
In addition, the tofu in spicy tofu is rich in plant protein, calcium and vitamins, which are good for health. Chili peppers are rich in vitamin C and carotene, which help to enhance immunity and promote metabolism.
3. What is the effect of soaking tofu in hot water?
Soften tofu: Soaking tofu in hot water can make it easier to soften, thereby improving the taste. Hot water helps the protein in tofu to condense faster, making the tofu more tender and smooth.
Remove the beany smell: Some tofu may have a beany smell. Soaking tofu in hot water can effectively remove some of the beany smell and make the tofu more fragrant.
Easy to taste: Adding seasonings to soak tofu in hot water can help the tofu absorb the flavor better. The temperature in hot water promotes the penetration of seasonings, making the tofu more delicious.
Reduce frying time: If you plan to fry tofu, soaking it in hot water first can shorten the frying time because the softened tofu is easier to fry.
4. What seasonings are suitable for tofu?
Tofu is a food with a delicate taste and easy to absorb seasoning. It can be paired with various seasonings to make dishes with different flavors. The seasonings used depend on the flavor of tofu you want to make. For example, onion, ginger, garlic, soy sauce, oyster sauce, vinegar and sesame are all common seasonings for making tofu.
Recipe analyzer
- Recipes: Spicy Tofu Chinese Snack
- Main Ingredients:9
- Servings per recipe:1
- Servings size:963 g
-
Energy (calories)：1759 kcal
-
Protein：99.49 g
-
Fat：116.48 g
Why gray?
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Carbohydrates：114.62 g
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Protein: 19%343 kcal
-
Fat: 56%981 kcal
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Carbohydrates: 25%436 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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