The short answer
A 3-ingredient recipe (including Tofu!) and a pan, that’s all you need to make this simple recipe. I will also show you how with a few more ingredients you can turn it in an outstanding flavor-packed dish that will impress your close ones.
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What is Tofu?
The first time I tasted tofu, it was so bland that I banned it from my kitchen. That all changed with this recipe; I just loved it! I discovered how versatile tofu is, and by combining just a few ingredients, you can make an infinite number of delightful recipes!
Tofu is not just good for your taste buds, it’s also amazing for your body. I discovered its health benefits when I decided to quit eating meat.
Tofu is THE holy-grail ingredient of vegan nutrition. Not only is it packed with proteins, but it’s also highly rich in calcium and a wide range of other vitamins and minerals.
It’s also a better option for the planet as it takes 100 times less land to produce a gram of rotein from tofu than from beef or lamb!
How is the tofu made?
Tofu is made through a very simple process :
- Firstly, soy milk is made by blending soaked soybeans with water.
- Secondly, the soy milk is boiled and mixed with a coagulant agent resulting in different texture from Silk to Extra Firm.
- Tofu Cakes are then formed by pressing the mixture.
It is so simple, you can even make it at home (if you feel DIY 🤓).
Which type of tofu to choose ?
Tofu comes in all different flavors and consistencies. It is a highly versatile ingredient to have in your kitchen. From silk tofu to extra firm, or smoked to marinated, you will find a version of it that will make you crave a plate of it.
Firm Tofu or Extra Firm Tofu is the way to go to cook this simple tofu recipe. Feel free to experiment with the other types; that’s up to you, Chef!
Why this recipe works?
The basic simple tofu recipe
Tofu is insipid alone, but turns excellent with just a few ingredients. In this recipe, we use Soy Sauce and Agave Syrup, two classics any vegan cook’s pantry.
The soy sauce brings a slightly salty flavor while the agave syrup brings sweetness and will help caramelize the tofu with all the flavors from these two ingredients.
Pan-fry the tofu in olive oil, then pour a mix of agave syrup and soy sauce in the hot pan, coat the tofu in the mix and voilà, your simple — but yet tasty — tofu.
It is that simple, yes. I didn’t lie to you, did I?
The simple tofu, with a twist.
Let’s bring this recipe to another level, shall we?
We are adding spices and herbs to the soy sauce, which brings a more complex taste. This is the part where you can go creative; you can’t go wrong. I add garlic, ginger, and oregano in this recipe.
The last step we will add is deglazing the pan with rice vinegar.
This extra step will give more depth to your dish and make it outstanding!
How to cook this simple tofu recipe ?
- First press the tofu or boil it for 10 minutes for better result. I will be honest, when I feel lazy after a long day, I skip that part. I just remove excess water. It’s not as good, but for my lazy people out there, that’s all good; I forgive you.
- Heat up extra virgin olive oil in a pan. Add the tofu. Cook it on medium-heat until golden on both sides.
- In the meantime, mix the soy sauce and the agave syrup. Add the finely sliced ginger and garlic. Nobody wants to bite into big bits of ginger, alright ?
- When the tofu is golden on both sides, reduce the heat and pour the soy sauce and agave syrup mix in the pan. Rub the tofu with the mix. It goes fast, be ready!
- When the tofu is well coated, deglaze the pan with rice vinegar. Make sure to scrape the pan to get all the tasty bits.
Voilà! Serve it with rice and veggies, you can use this tofu in various other recipes!
The Recipe
Simple Tofu Recipe
Tofu, soy sauce, agave syrup and a few spices get together in this simple recipe. It's a great way of making tofu and add it with vegetables and rice for a complete, fast and tasty meal.
Prep time
10
mins
Cooking Time
20
mins
Servings
2
people
Ingredients
- 200g of firm tofu
- 4 tablespoons of soy sauce
- 2 tablespoon of agave syrup (or maple syrup)
- 2 tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil
- 1 cm of ginger
- 1 teaspoon of dried oregano
- 2 cloves of garlic, finely sliced
- 2 tablespoons of rice vinegar (wine works too, double the quantity then).
Instructions
- Cut the 200g of firm tofu into 1 cm thick slices.
- Boil the tofu for 10 minutes or press it.
- In a small bowl, combine 2 tablespoons of soy sauce, 1 tablespoon of agave syrup, the sliced ginger and garlic, and 1 teaspoon of dried oregano, stirring well.
- Heat 1 tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil in a non-stick pan over medium heat.
- Place the tofu slices in the pan and cook for about 4-5 minutes on each side, until golden brown.
- Reduce the heat to low and pour the soy sauce and agave mixture over the tofu.
- Gently move and flip the tofu in the pan, allowing it to absorb the sauce for about 2 minutes.
- Deglaze the pan with 2 tablespoons of rice vinegar, stirring gently to coat the tofu. Season with salt and pepper.
- Serve the tofu hot, accompanied by rice and vegetables for a well-rounded meal.
Notes
- Pro tip: If you find yourself with leftover ginger, garlic, and sauce in the pan, add a touch of oil, and you've got yourself a quick vinaigrette perfect for dressing a side salad!
