Stir-Fried Tofu with Morning Glory: Delicious, Healthy, and Easy to Make at Home

Are you looking for a dish that’s light, nutritious, and easy to prepare to add to your family’s menu? Stir-fried tofu with morning glory is the perfect suggestion for you! With a harmonious blend of crisp, sweet morning glory and soft, creamy tofu, this dish is not only delicious but also very good for your health. Let’s explore how to make this simple yet captivating dish in the article below.

Why Stir-Fried Tofu with Morning Glory is Loved?

Stir-fried tofu with morning glory is a familiar dish in many Vietnamese family meals. Not only does it appear on simple home-cooked meals, but it is also served in upscale restaurants thanks to its outstanding advantages:

• Appealing flavor: The combination of fresh, crisp morning glory and soft, smooth tofu creates a refreshing and easy-to-eat taste, suitable for all palates.
• Nutrient-rich: The dish provides protein from tofu, vitamins, and fiber from morning glory – an ideal choice for a healthy diet.
• Easy to prepare: With just a few simple steps, you can complete the dish in a short time.
• Common ingredients: Both morning glory and tofu are easy to find, affordable, and suitable for every family.

With these superior advantages, stir-fried tofu with morning glory is not only a delicious dish but also embodies the essence of Vietnamese cuisine.

Secrets to a Perfect Stir-Fried Tofu with Morning Glory

To make stir-fried tofu with morning glory taste as good as a restaurant dish, you need to pay attention to every detail from selecting ingredients to cooking techniques. Here are the secrets to elevate this dish.

1. Choose Fresh Ingredients

Fresh ingredients are the key to creating a delicious flavor.

• Morning glory: Choose a young bunch with small stems, vibrant green color, and no yellowing or bruising. Vietnamese morning glory (white variety) is usually crisper and sweeter than Chinese morning glory (purple variety). If you prefer shredded morning glory, choose stems that are firm and fresh.
• Tofu: Soft or silken tofu is the best choice for stir-frying with morning glory. Choose tofu that is off-white, smooth, and has no strange odor. If you want to save time, you can use pre-fried tofu, but fresh tofu will give a more natural flavor.

Stir-fried tofu with morning glory

2. Proper Preparation

Properly preparing the ingredients not only ensures hygiene but also makes the dish more appealing.

• Morning glory: Remove wilted leaves and tough stems, wash thoroughly several times with salted water. To keep the morning glory vibrant green and crisp when stir-fried, you can briefly blanch it in boiling water with a bit of salt and oil.
• Tofu: Gently wash the tofu, cut into bite-sized squares or triangles. To prevent the tofu from breaking apart when stir-fried, lightly fry or sear it until all sides are golden.

3. Harmonious Seasoning

Seasoning plays a crucial role in creating the characteristic flavor of the dish.

• Basic: Salt, sugar, MSG (optional), ground pepper.
• Secret: Minced garlic is essential, minced shallots (optional), and fresh chili (if you like it spicy). A bit of good fish sauce will make the dish more savory.
• Tip: Sauté minced garlic in oil before stir-frying the morning glory and tofu to enhance the aroma.

4. Quick Stir-Fry Technique

The right stir-frying technique helps morning glory retain its crispness and vibrant color, while the tofu absorbs the seasoning evenly.

• High heat: Always stir-fry morning glory and tofu on high heat to prevent them from releasing water and maintain their crispness.
• Quick hands: Stir frequently and quickly to cook the morning glory to perfection, without it becoming mushy.
• Stir-fry order: Sauté garlic until fragrant, then add the morning glory and stir-fry first. When the morning glory is almost done, add the tofu and gently toss.

Stir-frying morning glory and tofu

Detailed Recipe for Stir-Fried Tofu with Morning Glory

Ingredients

• 1 bunch of young morning glory
• 2 blocks of soft or silken tofu
• 3-4 cloves of garlic
• Shallots (optional)
• Fresh chili (optional)
• Seasonings: Salt, sugar, MSG (optional), ground pepper, fish sauce, cooking oil

Instructions

1. Prepare the ingredients:

   • Pick and wash the morning glory, blanch briefly if desired.
   • Gently wash the tofu, cut into bite-sized pieces.
   • Mince the garlic, slice the chili (if using).

2. Stir-fry the tofu:

   • Heat oil in a pan, add the tofu, and lightly fry or sear until all sides are golden. Remove the tofu to a plate.

3. Stir-fry the morning glory:

   • Sauté minced garlic in oil. If using shallots, sauté them first, then add the garlic.
   • Add the morning glory and quickly stir-fry over high heat, season to taste.

4. Finish:

   • Add the fried tofu to the pan with the morning glory, gently toss to blend the flavors.
   • Add more fish sauce, ground pepper, and fresh chili (to taste). Turn off the heat and serve the dish on a plate.

Enjoying

• Stir-fried tofu with morning glory is best enjoyed hot with white rice.
• Suitable for both family meals and vegetarian days.

Variations of Stir-Fried Tofu with Morning Glory

To refresh the dish, you can try these variations:

• Garlic and chili: Add minced fresh chili or chili paste for a spicy kick.
• Chili paste: Use shrimp chili paste or vegetarian chili paste for a richer flavor.
• Add mushrooms: Include straw mushrooms or shiitake mushrooms to make the dish more diverse.
• Add meat: Combine with beef or ground meat to increase the protein content.

Variations of stir-fried tofu with morning glory

Nutritional Value of the Dish

Stir-fried tofu with morning glory is not only delicious but also very beneficial for health:

• Morning glory: Rich in vitamins A and C, fiber, iron, and calcium, it helps cool the body and detoxify.
• Tofu: Provides plant-based protein, low in calories, cholesterol-free, and rich in calcium and iron.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How to keep morning glory green and crisp?
Briefly blanch the morning glory in boiling water with salt and oil, then stir-fry on high heat and toss quickly.

2. What type of tofu is best?
Soft or silken tofu is the best choice.

3. Is this dish suitable for vegetarians?
Absolutely, it’s light and nutritious, perfect for vegetarians.

Conclusion

Stir-fried tofu with morning glory is a rustic dish that carries the rich flavors of home. With the detailed recipe and shared secrets, you can easily prepare this dish at home. Try it out and customize it to your taste to create your own version!

Don’t forget to share your cooking experience in the comments below. Wishing you success and enjoyable meals with your family!