Soy-Braised Tofu With Bok Choy Recipe (2024)

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Cooking Notes

John L

Tofu can also be baked. In a bowl, put equal by volume oil and cornstarch (about 1 tbsp each), and gently turn the tofu (sliced into whatever size you wish), until coated. Place on sheet pan (or better on wire rack on sheet pan), and bake at 425F until it goes a pale brown. It's done at this point, edges crisp and tofu slightly chewy. Add to sauce and veggies and finish per recipe. This takes about 20 minutes.

Linda

Recipe should call for low sodium soy sauce and adding a tbs of water to the sauce. The dish as instructed was too salty....no reason to salt and pepper the tofu either as the doubanjiang and sauce are adding all the flavor and sodium that's needed. Also....baby bok choy needs longer to cook than 1 to 2 minutes (this also depends on the size of the bok choy). In order to release its sweetness, bok choy should be cooked through, not crisp-tender. Otherwise it retains its natural bitterness.

maureen

Make the sauce before starting to cook tofu. Added snow peas and broccoli to peppers, and mizuna with the bok choy. Covered it all to steam @2 minutes, then stirred it all to serve with rice. Plenty of sauce for us.

Denby Fawcett

You absolutely need to double the sauce. I was wishing for more to flavor my rice I didn't have the Shaoxing wine so threw in a dash of rice wine vinegar and another dash of New Zealand sauvignon blanc wine. I have a feeling you can't go wrong with this recipe no matter what you toss in as a substitute..

jessica

Thanks John L for the tip on baking the tofu. I really liked the texture that resulted. Also following some recs I doubled the sauce, but only used about 2/3 of what I made; there was plenty of sauce for rice. Definitely use low-sodium soy sauce and don’t add any other salt until you taste it at the end.

Bill

Consider putting the sauce on individual servings, not in the pan. It would preserve the crunch on the tofu and still add the great flavor.

KB

Doubled the sauce, added torn shiitake caps with the (yellow) bell pepper. Excellent.

JB

This is a huge amount of salt.

Elizabeth Ball

Baked the tofu, doubled the sauce, added sh*take mushrooms. Delicious! Great weeknight meatless meal!

Bill M.

I cook a lot of tofu and this is my favorite recipe so far. Excellent crisping... better to have shallower rectangles than chunky cubes (more sauce on on crisp). Sauce is excellent with the oyster and fush sauces though too little; will double next time. One of the best balanced recipes with the bock choy, sauce, etc. Mushrooms would be great too. Mine turned out terrific in a 12" cast iron pan.

Rachel

This was delicious! Used optional real oyster sauce & instead of Shaoxing wine. Doubled the aromatics & sauce ingredients as suggested by others - I love sauce! I also used a wonderful handcrafted 3-year fermented Dounamjiang paste plus the suggested tsp of oil & that gave the dish some pleasant and savoury heat, but not too much. I got mine at Mala Market (no affiliation!) - they have wonderful, handcrafted ingredients, many sourced directly from small makers in China!

QUAASAM

Very nice and easy. Double the sauce portion. Do not salt the tofu.

Molly

Made with Paneer instead of tofu. Very tasty!

QUAASAM

Did it again. As before delicious. Follow the suggestion of John L baking the tofu instead of frying it in oil. Also doubled the sauce qty. Served with rice. Maybe it can be used for chicken or pork.

Ally V

Doubled the sauce like comments recommended and I doubled the cornstarch, but I must have added too much because it congealed almost immediately when I added it to the pan. Added some water with the tofu which fixed it so it all worked out! Delicious, easy recipe with leftovers!

Rose

I actually liked the amount of sauce. Replaced bell peppers with sh*take mushrooms

Laurie

Made with onion(didn’t have scallions) also added button mushrooms and some carrots, didn’t quite have a whole bell pepper. Bok Choi we’re not babies so added bottom parts first. Beautiful and yummy, two of us ate more than half!

Brooklyn Gersh

I sometimes TRIPLE the sauce.

sophia n

This was good! I have never used bok choy in a dish before but this was pretty easy! I’m sure with fresh ginger and garlic it would have been even better but just used powdered did the trick! Will make this again

Pam from NJ

Ingredients as written except subbed some black bean paste and chili oil for the doubanjiang, also doubled the sauce and aromatics. Braised partly covered for longer than directed to fully cook the bok choy. Delicious!

AnnLeigh

An even easier way to brown tofu: Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Line a sheet pan with non stick foil. Put the sliced tofu on the pan in a single layer. Spray with olive or avocado oil and bake for 25-30 minutes until golden brown.

Deborah VC

This was quick (after doing all the prep work) and very tasty. I only had two small bok choy so I supplemented with a full package of Trader Joe’s chopped Napa cabbage. I baked the tofu (per John L) and added the bok choy and peppers at the same time to try to cook the bok choy a bit more. Then added the cabbage, green onion tops, and sauce. Tofu was added at the last minute . I did double the sauce but think I’ll do 1.5 x next time. Very nice meal.

PH

What is a "vegetarian stir fry sauce"? I generally don't buy bottled sauces -- what would one substitute of "real" ingredients?

Sharon B

I always buy vegetarian "oyster sauce" (shellfish allergy) but lately it has been re-labeled as "vegetarian stir fry sauce". That's probably what is meant.

Mk

I could only find the larger (regular) kind of bok choy, so I separated the white parts from the green leaves, chopped the white parts into pieces, and added the whites in with the bell pepper. I added the green leaves in where the recipe said to add the baby bok choy. Also, good tip from everyone else about doubling the sauce!

Chris C

Okay, this was just dumb on my part, but when the instructions say “baby bok choy halved” I’m guessing it doesn’t mean cut the entire baby bok choy in half and try to cook it. Yeah, that doesn’t work at all.

also not a fan of halved baby bok choy

hmm, I think you did what the recipe (and the photo) described. But I don't personally find baby bok choy at all enjoyable prepared as it was directed. Sounds like you may prefer it as I do--well chopped. Hope the flavors were good, I'm trying this soon with a different veg.

GS

Baby bok choy comes in a variety of sizes. The small kind (sometimes labeled "Shanghai Tips" and weighing just an ounce or two) is what I believe the author is calling for. Non-Asian stores like Whole Foods and Trader Joe's typically carry a larger size, weighing in at around 5-7 ounces each. The stems of the larger size definitely needs longer cooking than called for in this recipe. I would add the chopped stalks at the same time as the bell pepper; add the chopped leaves when adding tofu, etc.

Sam

A definite winner! Doubled sauce and rough chopped bok choy so it would cook a little more. Cut back sugar to less than 1/2 top.Has a nice little kick with the chili oil. Will make often.

QUAASAM

Excellent. Served with sliced baked sweet potatoes ( 400 F/ 30-35 minutes) Delicious.Will do it again.

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Soy-Braised Tofu With Bok Choy Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What not to mix with tofu? ›

What to not serve with tofu? According to studies, a high volume consumption of tofu and spinach together can increase your risk of kidney stones. Tofu and spinach contain calcium and oxalic acid respectively and the combined can form kidney stones.

How long is braised tofu good for? ›

How long does tofu last after being cooked? Cooked tofu will last for 4-5 days in the fridge. Just make sure to place it in a covered container and separate the sauce if there is. If you store cooked tofu with its sauce in it, it will no longer be crispy after.

How do you cook tofu so it's not rubbery? ›

For the best texture, press the tofu using a tofu press or cast-iron skillet for 20 to 30 minutes. If you're short on time, just drain the tofu and gently press it in a kitchen towel or paper towels over the sink. The tofu won't be as firm this way, but it will still be delicious!

What does braised tofu mean? ›

Braising = perfectly cooked tofu.

Step 1: Pan-fry or deep fry tofu until the pieces are golden brown and crisp. While deep frying produces excellent results, I found that pan-frying tofu first works very well and is more suitable for most home cooks. Step 2: Simmer the crispy tofu in a flavor-rich sauce.

Why can't you eat spinach and tofu together? ›

As tofu and spinach contain calcium and oxalic acid respectively, the combination of the two will form kidney stones. But in fact, only prolonged and volumionous consumption of tofu and spinach at the same time will pose this risk.

Why can't you eat a lot of tofu? ›

Potential Risks of Tofu

Some people believe that eating too much soy can increase the risk of breast cancer, disrupt thyroid function, or "feminize" men (who naturally have lower estrogen levels than women) due to the estrogen-like isoflavones. However, the research is "mixed and inconclusive," according to Iu.

Can I eat 2 week expired tofu? ›

After the date passes, while it may not be of best quality, refrigerated products should still be safe if handled properly and kept at 40 °F (4.4 ºC) for a reasonable number of days to consume the food, (which is likely 3-4 days for tofu).

Can I eat tofu that expired 10 days ago? ›

This is a date put on the package by the manufacturer and doesn't indicate a food safety date, but just the quality of the food. When tofu is sealed in a package, it should always be refrigerated and ideally used by this date. You can, however, cook and eat it after this date has passed.

Can I eat tofu that expired 3 months ago? ›

In general, it's recommended to adhere to expiration dates for safety reasons, especially with perishable foods like tofu. Expired tofu might not be safe to consume due to potential bacteria growth or spoilage, even if unopened. It's better to err on the side of caution and discard it to avoid any risks to your health.

What should I season tofu with? ›

Marinate the tofu for at least 30 minutes to infuse it with flavor. Alternatively, you can skip this step and season the tofu right before cooking with a dash of salt and pepper or paprika and chili flakes.

What happens if you don't drain tofu before cooking? ›

Here's the thing: even though tofu might be labeled firm or extra-firm, it contains a lot of water. This excess water can cause the tofu to crumble when you cook it, and it will also have a hard time crisping up. But when you press tofu, you remove the excess moisture.

What happens if you don't press firm tofu? ›

And if tofu is vacuumed packed or firm already, you definitely don't need to press it. Here's why: moisture in tofu is a good thing. Tofu is over 80% water, and that moisture is what makes it such a succulent, juicy source of protein. Pressing it can make the tofu unnecessarily dry and strip it of its intended texture.

Why do Chinese love tofu? ›

It is considered a symbol of health, simplicity, and balance. Tofu is an indispensable dish on the reunion dinner table during the Chinese Lunar New Year, because it sounds like the word for fortune and happiness in Mandarin. The food can bring good luck to the whole family.

Why do people eat tofu instead of meat? ›

Tofu is rich in nutrients, contains all essential amino acids and is low in saturated fat and cholesterol. Its adaptability allows for use in diverse dishes, whether as a meat substitute in vegetarian meals, blended into smoothies, or grilled, baked or stir-fried for added protein in a range of recipes.

Is tofu a high inflammatory food? ›

Tofu and tempeh.

Studies suggest people who eat soy-based foods have lower odds of inflammation-related diseases like heart disease, diabetes, and some cancers. Nuts and legumes, Tree nuts like almonds and walnuts, along with peanuts, are rich in unsaturated fats, along with anti-inflammatory vitamins and minerals.

Can we eat tofu and egg together? ›

Yes, you can eat eggs and soya chunks together. Both eggs and soya chunks are good sources of protein, and consuming them together can help meet your daily protein requirements. You can add boiled or scrambled eggs to your soya chunk curry or stir-fry for a balanced meal.

Is it OK to eat eggs with tofu? ›

Quick, easy, and healthy, Tofu and Eggs is the perfect meal for any weeknight dinner!

What can I add to tofu to make it taste better? ›

Marinate it: Tofu can be marinated in a variety of flavorful sauces or spices. You can use soy sauce, garlic, ginger, sesame oil, and other seasonings to make a simple marinade. Let the tofu marinate for at least 30 minutes (or up to a few hours) before cooking or grilling.

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