Spicy Braised Tofu (Dubu-jorim)

Tofu is highly versatile and here we offer a Korean recipe called spicy braised tofu or Dubu-jorim 두부조림. This classic dish is about tofu braised in a spicy sauce. It is pan-fried in garlic, caramelized onion and green onions or chopped scallions. The tofu is firm but juicy enough being crispy on the outside but soft in the middle. We use it as a side dish for noodles and rice. Exceptional as a vegetarian or vegan dish and makes a great lunch.

Use as firm a tofu as you can buy otherwise prepare it in the conventional way.

Equipment:

• • wok or skillet
  • knives
  • mixing bowls
  • plastic wrap
  • spatulas
  • saucepans
  • wooden spoons/ spoons

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The Tofu

• 500g-600g silken tofu
• 1tbsp vegetable oil but use ghee if it is not to be vegan. 
• ½ tsp salt and ground black pepper

Ingredients:

• 3 Tbsp vegetable oil (corn oil, sunflower oil, rapseseed oil, grapeseed oil)
• 1 Tbsp dark brown soy sauce
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tsp sugar
• 1 tsp chilli flakes
• 1/2 cup water
• 1 -2 cloves garlic – smashed or chopped finely.
• 1/2 large white onion – chopped
• 6 spring onions/green onions – finely chopped. Keep about a teaspoon back for later as a garnish.
• 1/2 Tbsp sesame oil
• 3 tsp sesame seeds

Preparation:

1. First rinse the tofu under cold water. Place the washed tofu on a paper towel.  Cut the tofu block into bite-sized pieces which would be about a 1/4 inch thick with a good sharp knife. Dry with more paper towel.
2. Heat a skillet, frying pan or wok to high. Add vegetable oil.
3. Place each tofu slice in the pan. Heat each side for 8 minutes maximum. Turn with a flat spatula until the sides are golden-brown. Start making the sauce in the mean time!
4. Making the Sauce: In a mixing bowl add the soy sauce, salt, sugar, chili flakes and then water. Mix well.
5. Check the frying tofu from time to time to make sure it isn’t burning. Ensure the frying side is crunchy because this is the most desirable feature.
6. Once both sides of tofu are crunchy. Remove from the pan and place on a plate.
7. Take a second, smaller pan and add the cooking oil that was used earlier. It isn’t reasonable to re-use the old pan though just to save on the washing up but I think a smaller pan is easier to work with. Heat whichever pan you use to high. 
8. Add the white onion and garlic, and cook until a bit crunchy then add the soy sauce. It should all be sizzling in the pan and the aromas should be marvellous!
9. The sauce should be bubbling nicely and reducing in volume. Add all the cooled tofu. Spoon the sauce over the tofu until all the slices are nicely coated. 
10. Add a teaspoon of sesame oil and mix in.
11. Take off heat.
12. Add sesame seeds, garnish of green onion.
13. Serve in the pan.