Quick Braised Soft Tofu with Scallions and Chilies
A speedy weeknight dish featuring silky soft tofu gently braised in a savory sauce with crisp vegetables. Ready in under 15 minutes.
Story
This simple dish showcases how soft tofu can transform into something extraordinary with just a few pantry staples. The key is handling the delicate cubes gently and letting them absorb the flavorful sauce.
Ingredients
soft tofu (silken)
400g, drained and cut into 2cm cubes
green onions
3 stalks, whites and greens separated and sliced
fresh green chilies
2 small, minced
vegetable oil
2 tablespoons
light soy sauce
2 tablespoons
oyster sauce
1 tablespoon
potato starch
1 teaspoon mixed with 3 tablespoons water
sesame oil
1 teaspoon
garlic
2 cloves, minced
Instructions
1
Prep the tofu
Gently cut the soft tofu into uniform cubes about 2 centimeters in size. Place them on a paper towel to drain excess moisture. This prevents the dish from becoming watery during cooking.
2
Bloom the aromatics
Heat vegetable oil in a wok or large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the garlic, white parts of the green onions, and minced chilies. Stir for about 30 seconds until fragrant—don't let the garlic brown.
3
Add and braise the tofu
Carefully add the tofu cubes to the wok. Pour in the soy sauce and oyster sauce, then add 1/4 cup of water. Let everything simmer gently for 3-4 minutes, giving the tofu a chance to soak up the savory flavors.
4
Thicken the sauce
Stir the potato starch mixture well, then drizzle it into the wok while stirring constantly. The sauce will thicken and become glossy. Remove from heat immediately to prevent the tofu from breaking apart.
5
Finish and serve
Drizzle the sesame oil over the dish and sprinkle the green parts of the scallions on top. Serve immediately over steamed rice.
