Warm Tofu with Spicy Garlic Sauce
This quick and flavorful recipe features gently warmed soft tofu served with a vibrant, spicy, and savory garlic-sesame sauce. It's an excellent vegetarian side or light main course, highlighting fresh aromatics and the subtle textures of soft tofu, ready in under 20 minutes.
Equipment
- 1 Cutting Board
- 1 Chef's knife
- 1 Small Mixing Bowl
- 1 Whisk or Spoon For mixing the sauce
- 1 Steamer or Microwave-Safe Dish For warming the tofu
Ingredients
Main
- 1 14-to 18-ounces package soft tofu (not silken)
- 1 teaspoon chopped garlic
- 1/4 cup chopped scallion
- 2 teaspoons sesame seeds toasted and crushed with side of a heavy knife
- 3 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon Asian sesame oil
- 1 teaspoon coarse Korean hot red-pepper flakes
- 1/2 teaspoon sugar
Instructions
- Drain the soft tofu package thoroughly, gently pressing it to release excess water, then slice into desired serving pieces (e.g., 1-inch thick slabs or cubes).
- Finely chop the garlic and scallions. Toast sesame seeds in a dry pan over medium-low heat until fragrant, then lightly crush them with the side of a heavy knife.
- In a small mixing bowl, combine the chopped garlic, chopped scallions, crushed toasted sesame seeds, soy sauce, Asian sesame oil, Korean hot red-pepper flakes, and sugar.
- Whisk or stir the sauce ingredients until well combined, allowing flavors to meld for 5-10 minutes.
- Gently warm the tofu by steaming for 5-7 minutes until heated through, or by briefly microwaving in a covered dish with a tablespoon of water for 2-3 minutes.
- Arrange the warmed tofu pieces neatly on a serving platter or individual plates.
- Spoon the spicy garlic sauce generously over the warm tofu.
- Garnish with extra fresh scallions or a pinch of red-pepper flakes, if desired, for enhanced presentation and flavor.
- Serve immediately as a light main course or a flavorful side dish.
Notes
Ensure soft tofu is thoroughly drained by gently pressing it between paper towels for 10-15 minutes; this prevents a watery dish and allows better sauce absorption. When toasting sesame seeds, do so over medium-low heat until fragrant, then lightly crush them with the side of your knife to release their full nutty aroma into the sauce. For best flavor, allow the mixed sauce to sit for 5-10 minutes before serving to let the flavors meld. Adjust Korean red-pepper flakes to control the heat level.