Silken Tofu Recipes

This recipe is inspired by the many cold silken tofu dishes from East Asia, like Japanese hiyayakko and Chinese liangban tofu. This no-cook dish is a handy one to have up your sleeve, especially for warm evenings when the desire to cook is nonexistent. Silky soft tofu is draped in a punchy soy dressing, creating a lively dish with little effort. The tofu is ideally served cold, but 10 minutes at room temperature can take the edge off. Make it your own with other fresh herbs such as Thai basil, mint or shiso leaves, or add crunch with fried shallots or roasted peanuts. A salty, fermented element like kimchi, pickled radish or ja choi, also known as zha cai, a Sichuan pickled mustard root, would work well, too. One block of silken tofu is usually enough to feed two people, but for a more substantial meal, serve it with hot rice or noodles to create a pleasing contrast of temperatures.

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silken tofu recipes

5-Minute Silken Tofu (Soft Tofu)

silken tofu recipes

This savory silken tofu is incredibly simple to prepare and calls for a handful of basic ingredients to make the most flavorful soft tofu in just 5 minutes. Seasoned with a savory sauce with crisp aromatics, this quick & easy dish makes for the perfect appetizer or side dish for any occasion.

Prep: 5min

Total: 5min

Yield: 1

Serving Size: 1 serving

Nutrition Facts: calories 112 kcal, servingSize 1 serving

Ingredients:

  • 1 package silken tofu (or soft tofu)
  • 2 tbsp soy sauce
  • 1 tsp sugar (or honey)
  • 1 tsp sesame oil
  • 1/2 tsp toasted sesame seeds
  • 1/2 tsp Gochugaru (Korean chili flakes) (or red pepper flakes, optional)
  • 2 cloves garlic (minced)
  • 1 green onion (chopped)
  • 1/2 chili pepper (chopped, optional)

Instruction:

  1. Prepare the tofu by soaking up the excess liquid with a paper towel, or by carefully tilting the open package over the sink. Place a serving plate on top of the tofu and transfer it onto the plate.
  2. Combine all sauce ingredients in a bowl and pour it over the tofu. Enjoy!

Silken Tofu with Scallions and Soy Dressing

silken tofu recipes

A quick and easy recipe for silken tofu with scallion and soy dressing. It shows you a simple but delicious way to serve this healthy vegan, protein-rich ingredient.

Prep: 5min

Total: 10min

Serving Size: 1 serving

Nutrition Facts: servingSize 1 serving, calories 227 kcal

Ingredients:

  • 500 g silken tofu, or soft block tofu (about 1 lb)
  • 1½ tbsp neutral cooking oil
  • 3 stalks scallions, finely chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • ½ tsp chilli flakes, or ground dried chilli (optional)
  • 2 tbsp light soy sauce
  • 1 tsp black rice vinegar
  • 1 pinch sugar
  • Toasted sesame seeds (for garnishing)

Instruction:

  1. Peel off the cover of the silken tofu box. Place several layers of kitchen paper towel over then flip over. Leave to sit on a flat surface allowing the paper to absorb any excess water.
  2. While waiting, prepare the sauce. Add oil, scallions and garlic to a small saucepan (keep some scallions for garnishing). Leave to simmer over low heat until the aromatics become golden. Turn off the heat then stir in chilli flakes if using. Finally, add light soy sauce, black rice vinegar and sugar. Mix well.
  3. Flip over the tofu and carefully remove the kitchen paper. Place a serving plate upside down over the opening of the tofu box. Turn it around and gently lift up the box.
  4. Pour the sauce over the tofu. Garnish with scallions and toasted sesame seeds.

Silken Tofu with Soy Sauce, Onion & Garlic | Asian Side Dishes | Easy Asian Cooking

FAQ

What do you use silken tofu for?

14 Best Ways To Use Silken Tofu
  1. Use it as an egg replacer in pancakes and waffles. …
  2. Make a dense, creamy pie. …
  3. Whip up a scramble or omelet. …
  4. Bake a spongy egg-free frittata or quiche. …
  5. Blend together a creamy pasta sauce. …
  6. Make a silky vegan dressing. …
  7. Add a protein boost to your smoothies and shakes. …
  8. Deep fry it.

Is silken tofu healthier than regular tofu?

For relatively similar serving sizes, the nutrition differences between silken and firm tofu are pretty big. Silken tofu contains only about half the calories and fat, while firm tofu contains over twice the protein. The reason for this is water content.

Can you fry or bake silken tofu?

Lightly pan-fried tofu: Heat a non-stick pan over medium heat and add 1-2 teaspoon sesame oil or olive oil. Once hot add the tofu and pan-fry for 3-4 minutes on each side, until golden brown. Baking: Pre-heat oven to 350ºF (180ºC). Place tofu on a baking sheet and spray it with cooking spray.

Does silken tofu go crispy?

Heat oil for deep fry. Take a cut cube of silken tofu, dip in chickpea mix and then coat in bread crumbs, add in hot oil carefully and fry till all sides from golden brown in color. Keep flame in medium to avoid burned outside and raw inside. Remove from oil and place on a plate lined with a paper towel.

About the author

Helen is an author and editor at helenbackcafe.com, who has a passion for writing about recipes. She loves to experiment with different ingredients and cooking techniques to create delicious and unique dishes.

Among all the foods, pizza holds a special place in her heart, and she loves exploring different variations and toppings to create the perfect slice. Through her writing, Helen hopes to inspire others to get creative in the kitchen and share their love for food with the world.

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