Spicy Lemongrass Chili Tofu: Easy Vegan Braised Tofu Recipe

Lemongrass Chili Braised Tofu is an incredibly appealing vegetarian dish with a delicious, spicy flavor from lemongrass and chili. This dish is not only easy to make but also perfect for adding to your daily menu, especially on vegetarian days. Let’s discover how to make lemongrass chili braised tofu right here!

Braised Tofu with Fresh Bamboo Shoots is also a delicious vegetarian dish you can refer to.

Ingredients for Lemongrass Chili Braised Tofu

To make lemongrass chili braised tofu, you will need the following ingredients:

• Fried tofu: 5 pieces
• Lemongrass: 3 stalks
• Garlic: 2 cloves
• Chili: 2 fruits
• Soy sauce: 1 tablespoon
• Vegetarian seasoning powder: 1/2 teaspoon
• Cooking oil: 2 tablespoons
• Sugar/MSG: A small amount

Ingredients for spicy lemongrass chili braised tofu

How to Choose Fresh and Delicious Ingredients

How to Choose Clean and Safe Fried Tofu

• Good fried tofu has a soft, evenly golden-brown skin, and feels moist and smooth to the touch. When broken open, the inside should be smooth, off-white, with a characteristic soybean aroma.
• Do not buy if the tofu appears dry and hard, crumbles easily when squeezed, has a yellowish interior, a strange smell, or feels spongy and dry when eaten.
• For a better lemongrass chili braised tofu dish, it’s best to buy plain white tofu and fry it yourself at home.

How to Choose Fragrant and Delicious Lemongrass

• Good lemongrass stalks have large, round bulbs, tightly wrapped sheaths, and smooth, unfaded green leaves.
• Avoid lemongrass with brown/black spots or stalks that are wilted and lack crispness.

How to Choose Fresh and Delicious Chili

• Ripe, delicious chilies are plump red, shiny, evenly tapered, with a fresh green stem firmly attached to the fruit.
• Do not buy chilies that have lost their stems, are soft, or have insect bites or bruises.

How to Prepare Lemongrass Chili Braised Tofu

Prepare the Ingredients

• Rinse the tofu briefly under water, drain, and cut into small, bite-sized cubes.
• Peel off the outer tough layers of lemongrass, wash thoroughly, then thinly slice and mince.
• Peel the garlic, remove chili stems, wash, then mince both together.

Prepping lemongrass, chili, garlic, and fried tofu for braising

Braise the Tofu

• Place a pot on the stove, add 2 tablespoons of cooking oil over medium heat. Once the oil is hot, add the minced garlic and sauté until fragrant. Then add the minced lemongrass and chili, stirring continuously until the mixture becomes aromatic.
• Next, add the cut tofu and stir well. Season with 1 tablespoon of soy sauce, 1 teaspoon of MSG, 1 teaspoon of sugar, and 1/2 teaspoon of vegetarian seasoning powder. Mix thoroughly to allow the tofu to absorb the seasonings. Reduce to low heat and continue to stir-fry until the liquid dries up. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed, then turn off the heat.

Braised tofu with lemongrass and chili in a pot

Final Product

• The lemongrass chili braised tofu dish, with its eye-catching colors and spicy, fragrant aroma, is very appetizing. When eaten, you will taste the rich, crispy yet soft texture of the tofu, perfectly combined with the aromatic sautéed lemongrass, chili, and garlic – truly delicious.
• You have completed the lemongrass chili braised tofu dish with incredibly simple steps, making your family meal even more appealing.

If you want to try another variation of tofu, refer to how to make braised tofu with pineapple.

Conclusion

Lemongrass chili braised tofu is a simple yet incredibly delicious and spicy vegetarian dish. You can easily make this dish at home with readily available ingredients and a straightforward cooking method. Give it a try to add it to your family’s daily menu!

If you love tofu dishes, don’t miss how to make braised tofu with dried bamboo shoots for more diverse meal options.

References

• How to choose delicious tofu without plaster
• Names of chili varieties in Vietnam, many unique types you might not know