Easy and Delicious Tomato Braised Tofu Recipe at Home

Tomato braised tofu is a familiar dish in Vietnamese family meals, especially suitable for those who love the light and vegetarian flavors. Let’s explore how to make this delicious tomato braised tofu with an easy-to-follow recipe below!

Preparation

• Preparation Time: 20 minutes
• Cooking Time: 15 – 20 minutes
• Servings: 2 – 3 people

Ingredients:

• Fried tofu: 3 pieces
• Tomatoes: 2
• Cooking oil: 2 tablespoons
• Vegetarian seasoning powder: 2 teaspoons
• MSG: 2 teaspoons
• Salt: 1 teaspoon
• Ground black pepper: a pinch (optional)
• Green onions: a few stalks

Ingredients for Tomato Braised Tofu

Choosing Fresh Ingredients

Choosing Tomatoes

• Prioritize tomatoes that are bright red, juicy, and free from scratches.
• Fresh tomatoes will have a stem that is still green and firmly attached to the fruit.
• Avoid soft or bruised tomatoes.

Choosing Tofu

• Choose tofu that is off-white; avoid pieces that are too yellow as they may contain gypsum.
• Quality tofu will be elastic, soft, and not dry or crumbly.

Steps to Follow

Step 1: Preparing the Ingredients

• Tofu: Cut into small, bite-sized cubes. If not pre-fried, you can lightly fry the tofu to make it firmer.
• Tomatoes: Wash, remove the stems, and cut into wedges or dice according to preference.
• Green onions: Wash and chop finely for garnish.

Preparing Ingredients for Tomato Braised Tofu

Step 2: Sautéing Tomatoes

• Heat a pan over the stove and add 2 tablespoons of cooking oil.
• When the oil is hot, add the tomatoes and sauté for about 5 minutes until they are soft and form a thick mixture.

Step 3: Braising Tofu with Tomatoes

• Lower the heat, add the fried tofu to the pan, and gently stir to avoid breaking the tofu.
• Season with 1 teaspoon of salt, 1/2 teaspoon of MSG, and 2 teaspoons of vegetarian seasoning powder. Stir gently for about 3 minutes to let the flavors soak into the tofu.
• Depending on your taste, you can add a pinch of ground black pepper and chopped green onions for extra flavor.

Braising Tofu with Tomatoes

Step 4: Finishing and Presentation

• Once the tofu has absorbed the flavors, turn off the heat and transfer the dish to a plate.
• Garnish with green onions and a sprinkle of ground black pepper for added appeal.

Finished Tomato Braised Tofu

Final Product

The finished tomato braised tofu dish is visually appealing with the golden color of the tofu and the vibrant red of the tomatoes. The soft and creamy texture of the tofu blends perfectly with the mild tanginess of the tomatoes, creating a rich and appetizing flavor. This is definitely an ideal dish to add variety to your family meals.

Conclusion

With this easy and delicious tomato braised tofu recipe, you now have a nutritious vegetarian dish that is simple to make yet retains a wonderful flavor. Save this recipe and try your hand at cooking it today!

Good luck!