I want you to take a tasty adventure with an easy dish that will elevate your overall taste – try the eggplant tofu recipe.
In this blog post, we will discuss the complete preparation process for eggplant tofu. Later, we will also look at variations, pro tips to level up the taste, storage and freezing tips and much more.
Eggplant Tofu
Eggplant Tofu is a delicious and nutritious dish that is famous in different culinary traditions, mainly in Asian cuisine. It mixes the flavours and textures of eggplant and tofu for a delicious dish. It contains a tasty sauce prepared with ginger, garlic or soy sauce.
You can also adjust the sauce to fit your taste, making it mild and sweet. You can also include veggies like onions, bell peppers and mushrooms for a more healthy taste. Whether you are vegan or plant-based food, consider eggplant tofu.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Delicious Flavor Combination: The soft eggplant absorbs the sauces and spices, while the tofu absorbs the flavours and provides a nice texture.
- Healthy and Nutritious: The meal contains a lot of protein, minerals and vitamins. Eggplant contains antioxidants and fiber and tofu contains plant-based protein.
- Versatile and Customizable: You can adjust the spices to your taste. Whether you prefer spicy or mild food, you can suit this recipe to your preference.
- Perfect for Plant-based diets: Eggplant tofu is a great choice for vegans or for anyone who loves plant-based food.
Tips
- Choosing the right eggplant: Make sure to choose Japanese or Chinese eggplant, as they contain a tender texture when cooked with some bitterness. But if you are using an ordinary eggplant, salt it and let it sit to remove the bitterness.
- Preparation: Cut the eggplant into little pieces. Toss them with some salt. Let it sit for around 15-20 minutes to remove bitterness and moisture. Pat and dry them before cooking.
- Cooking the Eggplant: To ensure the eggplants are evenly cooked and tender, roast it in the oven or pan-fry until golden brown. Use a non-stick pan to avoid sticking.
- Choosing the tofu: Firm or extra-firm tofu works well for baking or stir-frying, as it holds its shape nicely. You can use a paper towel to dry the tofu and cut them into cubes before preparing.
- Flavouring: You can prepare the sauce by mixing rice vinegar, soy sauce, ginger, garlic and a little bit of sugar. You can also add hoisin sauce for sweetness or chilli paste for spiciness.
Variations
- Stir-fried eggplant and tofu: Cut the eggplant and tofu into cubes, then cook it with ginger, garlic, soy sauce and a little sesame oil. You can also include broccoli or bell peppers for more texture and flavour.
- Eggplant and Tofu Curry: Mix curry paste, coconut milk, cumin and turmeric for a delicious curry sauce. Put in eggplant and tofu pieces, and cook until soft. You can serve it with naan bread or rice.
- Grilled Eggplant and Tofu Skewers: Soak eggplant and tofu in a mixture of olive oil, soy sauce and herbs such as rosemary or thyme. Put them on the grill and skewer until tender and nicely cooked.
- Eggplant and Tofu Ratatouille: Mix chopped eggplant and tofu with onions, tomatoes, zucchini and bell peppers. Add fresh herbs like thyme and basil and cook until the veggies are soft.
- Baked Stuffed Eggplant with Tofu: Hollow the eggplant halves, and fill them with a mixture of crumbled tofu, cheese, breadcrumbs and herbs. Bake until the filling turns golden brown and the eggplant is soft.
What to Serve
- Steamed Rice: You can serve steamed rice with eggplant tofu. You can consider basmati or jasmine rice for a better flavour.
- Quinoa: Alternatively, you can try quinoa which provides a fluffy texture and nutty taste that works well with the savory flavors of tofu and eggplant.
- Noodles: You can try eggplant tofu with noodles like udon, soba or rice noodles. You can mix them with soy sauce and sesame oil for more taste.
- Stir-Fried Vegetables: You can also try stir-fried vegetables like bell peppers, broccoli, carrots and snap peas for more contrast and crunch. Season them with soy sauce, ginger and garlic.
- Garlic Bread or Naan: You can also enjoy garlic bread or naan as a delicious addition to the curry-based eggplant tofu dish.
Storing and Freezing
Storing
- Put the cooked eggplant tofu in a resealable bag or an air-tight container. You can store it in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
- Store the tofu and eggplant separately, especially if they contain sauce to hold their textures.
Freezing
- Before freezing, let the cooked eggplant tofu cool completely.
- Before freezing, divide the eggplant tofu into meal-sized portions.
- Put the portions in freezer bags or air-tight containers by removing excess air to avoid freeze burn.
- Label the containers with the date and content to keep track of the freshness.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the eggplant tofu recipe offers a flexible and delicious dish combining the richness of eggplant with the great texture of tofu. This recipe works well for anyone craving a flavorful and healthy meal, whether you’re an experienced chef or a newbie.
It is a tasty dish and best suitable for vegans who love plant-based food. Following this recipe, you’ll enjoy a dish that is flavorful, nutritious and healthy. So, grab the ingredients and start preparing the eggplant tofu.
Read More:- Brussels Sprouts Recipe
Eggplant Tofu Recipe
Eggplant Tofu is a delicious and nutritious dish that is famous in different culinary tradition, mainly in Asian cuisine.
Ingredients
- 1 large eggplant diced into 1-inch cubes
- 1 block of firm tofu drained and cut into 1-inch cubes
- 3 tablespoons soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons hoisin sauce
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1- inch piece of ginger grated
- 1 red bell pepper sliced
- 1 green onion chopped
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons water slurry
- 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes optional, for heat
- 1 tablespoon sesame seeds for garnish
- Fresh cilantro chopped (for garnish)
- Cooked rice for serving
Instructions
- First of all, press the tofu to remove the excess water. You can do it by wrapping the tofu in a kitchen towel and put a heavy object on top for around 20 minutes. Cut the tofu into 1-inch cubes.
- Put a tablespoon of vegetable oil in a pan over medium-high flame. Add the tofu cubes and cook then until golden brown on each side, it may take around 5-7 minutes. Remove the tofu from the pan and keep it aside.
- In the same pan, add the remaining tablespoon of vegetable oil.
- Add the diced eggplant and cook until soft, it may take around 5-7 minutes.
- Move the eggplant to the side of skillet. Add grated ginger and minced garlic and cook for around a minute until fragrant.
- Put the cooked tofu to the skillet. Mix in the red bell pepper slices.
- In a little bowl, mix the hoisin sauce, soy sauce, sesame oil, rice vinegar and red pepper flakes. Pour the sauce over the eggplant and tofu mixture.
- Mix in the cornstarch mixture. Cook by stirring consistently, until the sauce becomes thick and it evenly coats the eggplant and tofu.
- Take off the skillet from the heat. You can serve it hot over cooked rice by garnishing it with sesame seeds, green onion and fresh cilantro.
