Savory Cold Tofu

I know, cold tofu sounds so much less than appealing. But trust me, this is one tofu dish that will surprise you. This is my take on a popular Chinese dish called Liangban Tofu and you can serve it either hot or cold. I personally love to eat it slightly warm, but with that sauce drizzled all over some hot white rice. When I’m really hungry, I’ll add some Mayak eggs, and wow, that’s good.

Ingredients:

• 1 Block Silken Tofu1

• 1/2 tbsp Sesame Seeds

• 3 tbsp Low Sodium Soy Sauce (or Tamari)

• 1 tbsp Shaoxing Wine or Mirin (optional, use only if you’re planning to cook the sauce)

• 2 tsp Doubanjiang (Spicy Fermented Bean Paste)

• 1 tsp Brown Sugar or Maple Syrup

• 1-2 tbsp Garlic, minced

• 1 drizzle of Cooking Oil (I use avocado oil or grapeseed oil)

• 2 tbsp each Red Onion, Red Bell Pepper, Celery, minced

• 1 tsp Chili Oil (add more if you want more heat)

• 1 tsp Vegetable Bullion

• 1/4 c Green Onion, sliced

• 3 tbsp Cilantro, chopped

• 1 tsp Toasted Sesame Oil

Directions:

1. In a small saucepan, over medium heat, toast your sesame seeds. Place the sesame seeds in a single layer in the pan, stirring them occasionally as they heat. It should take three to five minutes, but use your senses: look for the golden brown color and the toasty smell, then quickly remove them from the pan and allow them to cool.

2. Once your sesame seeds are toasted and cooling, add a drizzle of cooking oil. Once that warms up, add your garlic, red onion, red pepper, and celery, and sauté until the onion becomes slightly transparent.

3. Add in your Doubanjiang and chili oil and cook for about 1-2 more minutes before adding the soy sauce, sugar, wine, toasted sesame seeds, and bullion.

4. Stir well and allow to come to a boil before reducing the heat and simmering until the mixture begins to thicken slightly.

5. Prepare your tofu by draining it and removing it from the package. This may be a little difficult, and sometimes it helps to run a butter knife around the edges of the package to loosen it. Once it has been removed, place it on the plate you plan on serving it from and slice it. If you want to serve it warm, microwave it for about 15-20 seconds.

6. Once your tofu is prepared, gently pour the sauce over the tofu and top it with the remaining ingredients.

If you want to prepare the sauce cold:

1. Omit the wine and the cooking oil.

2. Combine all ingredients in a bowl and mix well.

3. Pour the sauce over your tofu and enjoy!