Description
From sleek, silken tofu with delicate toppings to piping-hot fried satchels in a robust sauce, tofu provides a versatile canvas for the intricate flavors and textures that Asian and vegetarian cooks have long enjoyed. America has embraced tofu as a healthy, affordable ingredient. And while it has been welcomed into sophisticated mainstream dining, tofu is often hidden in Western guises and in limited applications. In her third intrepid cookbook, celebrated food writer and teacher ANDREA NGUYEN aims to elevate this time-honored staple to a new place of prominence on every table.
Asian Tofu’s nearly 100 recipes explore authentic,ancient fare and modern twists that capture the culinary spirit of East, Southeast, and South Asia. There are spectacular favorites from Japan, Korea, Thailand, Singapore, and India, as well as delicious dishes from Taipei, San Francisco, Santa Monica, and New York. Andrea demystifies tofu and interprets traditional Asian cuisine for cooks, sharing compelling personal stories and dispatches from some of the world’s best tofu artisans along the way.
For those who want to take their skills to the next level, the tofu tutorial clearly outlines tofu-making technique, encouraging readers to experiment with the unparalleled flavors of homemade varieties. But time-pressed cooks needn’t fear: while a few recipes, such as Silken Tofu and Seasoned Soy Milk Hot Pot, are truly best with homemade tofu, most are terrific with store-bought products. Some traditional dishes combine tofu with meat in brilliant partnerships, such as Spicy Tofu with Beef and Sichuan Peppercorn and Tofu with Kimchi and Pork Belly, but this collection is predominantly vegetarian and vegan, including the pristinely flavored Spiced Tofu and Coconut in Banana Leaf and vibrant Spicy Lemongrass Tofu Salad. And innovations such as Okara Doughnuts reveal tofu’s more playful side.
For health- and eco-conscious eaters and home chefs who are inspired to make the journey from bean to curd, Asian Tofu is the perfect guide.
Table of Contents
Introduction 1
Tofu Buying Guide 7
Tofu Cooking Tips 14
Homemade Tofu Tutorial
Master Soy Milk Recipe 23
Silken Tofu 28
Tofu Pudding 30
Block Tofu 32
Seasoned Pressed Tofu 38
Tea-Smoked Pressed Tofu 40
White Fermented Tofu 41
Fresh Tofu Skin 44
Soy-Simmered Fried Tofu 46
Fresh and Satisfying
Snacks and Starters
NAKED AND SIMPLE
Japanese Chilled Tofu 51
Chilled Tofu with Crunchy Baby Sardines 53
Chilled Tofu with Spicy Sauce 54
Tofu Skin Sashimi 55
Tofu with Century Eggs 56
Savory Tofu Pudding 59
GRILLED AND FRIED
Miso-Glazed Broiled Tofu 61
Fermented Tofu, Lemongrass, and Goat Skewers 63
Grilled Crisp Tofu Pockets 67
Fried Tofu with Chile Peanut Sauce 69
Deep-Fried Tofu 70
CREATIVE AND MODERN
Spiced Tofu and Vegetable Fritters 71
Tofu French Fries 74
Fresh Tofu with Sauces and Toppings 75
Soothing and Soft
Soups and Hot Pots
CASUAL AND SPECIAL SOUPS
Tofu, Tomato, and Dill Soup 79
Miso Soup 80
Tofu, Seaweed, and Pork Soup 81
Hot-and-Sour Soup 82
Silken Tofu and Edamame Soup 84
Tofu Bamboo and Chicken Soup 86
WARMING HOT POTS
Warm Simmered Tofu 87
Silken Tofu and Seasoned Soy Milk Hot Pot 89
Soy Milk Lees and Kimchi Hot Pot 91
Soft Tofu and Seafood Hot Pot 93
Stuffed Tofu in Broth 94
Homey and Wholesome
Main Dishes
STIR-FRIED, PANFRIED, AND BRAISED
Stir-Fried Tofu, Shrimp, and Peas 100
Spicy Tofu with Beef and Sichuan Peppercorn 101
Panfried Tofu with Mushroom and Spicy Sesame Sauce 103
Tea-Smoked Tofu with Pepper and Pork 104
Bitter Melon with Tofu and Pork 106
Tofu with Tomato and Green Onion 107
Lemongrass Tofu with Chiles 108
Hakka-Style Stuffed Tofu 109
DEEP-FRIED AND ROASTED
Twice-Cooked Coriander Tofu 112
Soy Milk Lees and Vegetable Croquettes 114
Batter-Fried Tofu with Chile Soy Sauce 116
Roast Chicken with Red Fermented Tofu 117
Crisp Roasted Pork Belly 119
POACHED, SIMMERED AND STEAMED
Simmered Greens with Fried Tofu 121
Tofu and Vegetables in Coconut Milk 124
Spiced Tofu and Coconut in Banana Leaf 127
Tofu Chicken Meatballs in Lemongrass Broth 129
Versatile and Delicious
Salads and Sides
TOSSED
Tofu Noodle and Vegetable Salad 133
White Tofu, Sesame, and Vegetable Salad 135
Greens and Fried Tofu in Mustard Sauce 136
Spicy Lemongrass Tofu Salad 137
Pressed Tofu and Peanuts in Spicy Bean Sauce 138
SAUTEED, STIR-FRIED, AND SIMMERED
Spicy Yuba Ribbons 139
Savory Soy Milk Lees with Vegetables 142
Bean Sprouts with Panfried Tofu and Chinese Chives 143
Tofu with Kimchi and Pork Belly 145
Water Spinach with Fermented Tofu 147
Fermented Tofu Simmered in Coconut Milk 148
Religion and Artistry
Mock Meats
Tofu and Vegetable Fritters 154
Sweet and Savory Tofu Eel 157
Bear Paw Tofu 159
Cellophane Noodle and Tofu Rolls 161
Savory Okara Crumbles 163
Building on Traditions
Buns, Dumplings, Crepes, Noodles, and Rice
Spicy-Sweet Fried Tofu Buns 167
Tofu Steak Burgers 170
Vegetarian Wontons in Chile Oil 172
Tofu, Pork, and Kimchi Dumplings 174
Chinese Chive and Pressed Tofu Turnovers 177
Spiced Chickpea Crepes with Soybean Paneer 179
Fried Shrimp Tofu Skin Rolls 182
Stir-Fried Thai Noodles 184
Foxy Tofu Noodle Soup 187
Sushi Rice in Tofu Pouches 188
Fried Rice with Fermented Red Tofu 191
Amazing Transformations
Sweets and Dessert
SOLIDIFIED, SQUEEZED, AND GRATED
Sweet Tofu Pudding with Ginger Syrup 195
Tofu Blancmange with Cured Pineapple and Lime 196
Essence of Tofu Ice Cream 198
Tofu Tiramisu 199
Cashew and Cardamom Fudge 201
BYPRODUCT BONUSES
Gingery Chocolate Chip Cookies 202
Okara Doughnuts 203
Basics
Chinese Sweet Fragrant Soy Sauce 207
Japanese Seasoned Soy Concentrate 208
Korean Seasoned Soy Sauce 209
Thai Sweet Chile Sauce 210
Chile and Sichuan Peppercorn Mix 211
Fermented Tofu, Lemongrass, and Chile Sauce 212
Chile Oil 213
Chicken Stock 214
Dashi Stock 215
Savory Kelp Relish 216
Tamarind Liquid 217
Green Chutney 218
Ingredients 219
Selected Bibliography 224
Acknowledgments 225
Index 226
Measurement Conversion Charts 231
