Embark on a culinary journey to tantalize your taste buds with an array of Asian-inspired tofu marinades. From the zesty and aromatic Vietnamese marinade, bursting with lemongrass, ginger, and garlic, to the rich and flavorful Chinese marinade, featuring soy sauce, rice wine, and sesame oil, this collection offers a diverse range of options to transform your tofu into a delectable masterpiece. Discover the secrets of creating tender, succulent tofu that absorbs all the vibrant flavors of these marinades, making it an ideal protein choice for stir-fries, salads, and grilled dishes. With step-by-step instructions and insightful tips, this article equips you with the knowledge and techniques to elevate your tofu dishes to new heights. Get ready to explore the diverse culinary landscapes of Asia through these tantalizing tofu marinades, sure to leave a lasting impression on your palate.
Let's cook with our recipes!
ASIAN GARLIC TOFU
Asian Garlic Tofu is a vegetarian meal full of salty, sweet, and spicy flavor.
Provided by Christin Mahrlig
Categories Main Course
Time 1h10m
Number Of Ingredients 11
Steps:
- Remove tofu from packaging. Place about 4 paper towels on a plate. Set tofu on top of plate and cover with more paper towels. Place a cast iron pan or something else that is heavy on top. Let sit 30 minutes.
- In a medium bowl, stir together Hoisin sauce, soy sauce, sugar, ginger, garlic, and red pepper flakes.
- Cut tofu into bite-sized pieces. Place in bowl with sauce and toss to coat. Let sit 30 minutes.
- Heat olive oil in a medium cast iron pan over medium-high heat. Once really hot, add tofu. Once nicely seared on the bottom, flip over. Continue to cook until seared on bottom.
- Drizzle with sesame oil and remove from heat.
- Sprinkle with green onions and serve with rice.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 352 kcal, ServingSize 1 serving
MARINATED TOFU (THE BEST TOFU EVER!)
This marinated tofu is hands down the best tofu I've ever tasted! It's super flavorful, simple to make, and very versatile. I like to serve it on a bed of rice with stir fried vegetables, or even sliced in sandwiches. Perfect addition to salads, too!
Provided by Nora Taylor
Categories Main Course Side Dish
Time 1h30m
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- Quick press the tofu: Cut the tofu into cubes. Place them evenly on a flat surface such as a cutting board lined with paper towels or a clean towel. Cover with a layer of paper towels, set a baking sheet on top and then something heavy, like a large book or cast iron skillet. Press like this for 15 minutes while you make the marinade.
- Make the marinade: In a small bowl, combine the soy sauce, rice vinegar, maple syrup, sesame oil, garlic and ginger.
- Marinate the tofu: Place the pressed tofu pieces in a shallow dish. (In the photos above I doubled the recipe, so I used a 9 x 13 inch dish, but for one batch you will need a smaller dish, such as an 8 x 8 inch.) Pour the marinade over the tofu. Let it marinate for at least 1 hour, covered, in the refrigerator. If you want to leave it overnight, it will be even more flavorful.
- Cook the tofu: In a large skillet, cast iron preferred, add a few tablespoons of a neutral oil, such as canola oil and heat over medium-high heat. You can omit the oil if needed, but you will need a very good non-stick pan so the tofu pieces don't stick. Remove the tofu pieces from the marinade and add to the pan. Do not discard the marinade sauce. Fry the tofu until golden brown on each side.
- Once the tofu pieces are browned, pour any leftover marinade sauce into the pan with the tofu, and stir to coat. This makes the tofu even more flavorful! The tofu will quickly absorb the sauce. Remove from heat, and serve with rice and stir fried vegetables such as baby bok choy, mushrooms and carrots.
- Store leftover tofu in a covered container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. It's also good cold, as a high protein snack or in sandwiches and salads.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 161 kcal, ServingSize 1 serving, Carbohydrate 8 g, Protein 9 g, Fat 10 g, SaturatedFat 1 g, Sodium 606 mg, Fiber 1 g, Sugar 4 g
ASIAN TOFU
This tasty Asian tofu was the first meatless recipe my fiance made for me. It's a wonderful light protein and is so easy to pair with broiled or grilled veggies such as eggplant, asparagus or even tomatoes. -Emily Steers, Los Angeles, California
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Dinner
Time 20m
Yield 4 servings
Number Of Ingredients 7
Steps:
- Whisk together first 6 ingredients. Cut tofu lengthwise into 3/8-in. thick slices; cut each slice in half diagonally to make triangles. Place tofu and marinade in a large shallow bowl; turn to coat. Cover and refrigerate 3-5 hours, turning occasionally., Preheat broiler. Reserving marinade, place tofu in a 15x10x1-in. pan. Drizzle remaining marinade over tops. Broil 5-6 in. from heat until lightly browned and heated through, about 10 minutes.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 208 calories, Fat 18g fat (3g saturated fat), Cholesterol 0 cholesterol, Sodium 440mg sodium, Carbohydrate 4g carbohydrate (1g sugars, Fiber 1g fiber), Protein 9g protein. Diabetic Exchanges
SPICY TOFU MARINADE
This is inspired by a recipe by Andrea Chesman, who has some wonderful grilling ideas for tofu in her book "The Vegetarian Grill." It makes enough marinade or dipping sauce for a pound of tofu.
Provided by Martha Rose Shulman
Categories easy, lunch, appetizer
Time 10m
Yield 1/2 cup
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- Whisk together all of the ingredients in a bowl. Use as a marinade and/or dipping sauce for pan-seared, grilled or plain tofu.
Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 85, UnsaturatedFat 6 grams, Carbohydrate 3 grams, Fat 7 grams, Fiber 0 grams, Protein 1 gram, SaturatedFat 1 gram, Sodium 877 milligrams, Sugar 1 gram
Tips:
- Choose the Right Tofu: For the best results, use extra-firm or firm tofu. These types of tofu have a denser texture that will hold up better to the marinade and grilling process.
- Press the Tofu: Before marinating, press the tofu to remove excess water. This will help the tofu absorb the marinade more evenly and prevent it from becoming soggy.
- Use a Flavorful Marinade: The marinade is what gives the tofu its flavor, so make sure to use a flavorful combination of ingredients. Look for marinades that include soy sauce, rice vinegar, garlic, ginger, and sesame oil.
- Marinate for at Least 30 Minutes: The longer you marinate the tofu, the more flavor it will absorb. If you're short on time, you can marinate the tofu for as little as 30 minutes, but for the best results, marinate it for at least 2 hours or overnight.
- Grill the Tofu Over Medium Heat: Grilling the tofu over medium heat will prevent it from burning. Cook the tofu for about 5-7 minutes per side, or until it is golden brown and slightly charred.
Conclusion:
Grilled Asian tofu is a delicious and versatile dish that can be enjoyed as a main course or side dish. With its smoky flavor and tender texture, grilled tofu is a great option for vegetarians and meat-eaters alike. Whether you're using a simple marinade or a more complex one, grilled Asian tofu is sure to be a hit. So fire up your grill and give it a try!
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