Welcome to a different minimal effort, BIG taste dish! This quicker-than-takeout sesame tofu is baked to crispy perfection and coated in a drool-worthy, candy + spicy + garlicky sauce. It might need you questioning whether or not you’ll ever be ordering takeout once more!
Pair with rice and steamed veggies for a easy, 30-minute meal that’s vegan, gluten-free, and naturally sweetened. Let’s make it!
Recipe Inspiration
This recipe is impressed by Sesame Hen, which is often present in Chinese language eating places within the US and Canada (supply). Although doubtless initially impressed by a dish from China, its precise origin story is unclear. Some counsel it’s an adaptation of Basic Tso’s, whereas others say it’s impressed by Sichuan La Zi Ji.
Our impressed, plant-based model has a equally sticky, spicy, candy (however not too candy!) glaze and is made with tofu. Our model additionally doesn’t contain any battering or deep frying!
Find out how to Make Sesame Tofu
It begins with making the tofu crispy utilizing a special methodology! As a substitute of deep frying, we break the tofu into bite-sized items and bake till a bit of agency and golden with crispy edges.
Then we make a easy, tremendous flavorful sauce on the stovetop with maple syrup, tamari, rice vinegar, sesame oil, pink pepper flakes, and garlic.
Subsequent, we cook dinner it down with a bit of slurry of cornstarch + water till it’s thickened.
The ultimate steps are including sesame seeds to the sauce then stirring within the baked tofu till it’s well-coated and irresistible!
We will’t wait so that you can do this sesame tofu! It’s:
Spicy
Garlicky
Slightly candy
Slightly sticky
Crispy on the perimeters
& SO scrumptious!
It pairs superbly with rice (brown, white, or cauliflower “rice”), and steamed broccoli for a easy, weeknight-friendly meal. Different scrumptious pairings embody our Sesame Sautéed Swiss Chard, Gingery Smashed Cucumber Salad, and Spicy Garlicky Edamame.
Extra Flavorful Tofu Recipes
In the event you do this recipe, tell us! Go away a remark, price it, and don’t overlook to tag a photograph @minimalistbaker on Instagram. Cheers, mates!
Servings 4
Forestall your display screen from going darkish
TOFU
- 1 (14-16 oz / 397-453 g) bundle tremendous agency high-protein tofu*
- 1 Tbsp olive or avocado oil
- 1/4 tsp sea salt
SAUCE
- 3 Tbsp maple syrup (or honey if not vegan)
- 2 ½ Tbsp tamari or soy sauce (gluten-free as wanted)
- 4 tsp rice vinegar
- 4 tsp toasted sesame oil
- 1/2 tsp pink pepper flakes
- 2 massive cloves garlic, grated or pressed
- 1/4 cup sesame seeds
TO THICKEN SAUCE
- 1 Tbsp cornstarch*
- 1 Tbsp water
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If serving with rice, cauliflower rice, or steamed broccoli, start making ready right now. Prepare dinner the rice on the stovetop, within the On the spot Pot, or in a rice cooker. Steam the broccoli in a steamer basket set over boiling water for ~4-6 minutes, or till tender however nonetheless a vibrant inexperienced coloration. In any other case, transfer on to the subsequent step.
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TOFU: Preheat the oven to 425 levels F (218 C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
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Crumble the tofu into items 1/2 to 1 inch in measurement and prepare them on the parchment-lined baking sheet. Add oil, sprinkle with salt, and toss to evenly coat the tofu. As soon as the oven is preheated, bake for 10 minutes, flip with a spatula, and bake for an additional 10-Quarter-hour or till the tofu is a bit of agency and golden with crispy edges.
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SAUCE: To a medium saucepan, add the maple syrup, soy sauce or tamari, rice vinegar, sesame oil, pink pepper flakes, and garlic. Carry to a simmer over medium warmth.
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In the meantime, to a small bowl, add the cornstarch and water and stir to mix. As soon as the sauce is simmering, add the cornstarch combination, stir, and proceed simmering, stirring sometimes till the sauce turns into thick like honey — about 3 minutes. Take away from warmth and stir within the sesame seeds. Style and regulate as wanted, including extra maple syrup for sweetness, tamari for total taste, garlic for zing, or pink pepper flakes for warmth. Put aside.
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As soon as the tofu is golden brown, place it into the sauce and stir to totally coat. Serve heat with rice, steamed greens, or different sides for a tasty meal!
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You possibly can prep the sauce forward of time and retailer it within the fridge for as much as 1 week. If it turns into too thick, add a little bit of water whenever you reheat it in a saucepan. In any other case, the cooked dish is finest when recent.
*If you wish to substitute the cornstarch with arrowroot starch, use solely half the quantity. It is going to look a bit of goopy, which isn’t as appetizing, nevertheless it nonetheless tastes good!
*Vitamin data is a tough estimate calculated with out non-obligatory elements.
*Impressed by Allrecipes’ Sesame Hen.
Serving: 1 serving Energy: 345 Carbohydrates: 16.4 g Protein: 20.7 g Fats: 22.4 g Saturated Fats: 3.8 g Polyunsaturated Fats: 2.8 g Monounsaturated Fats: 4.7 g Trans Fats: 0 g Ldl cholesterol: 0 mg Sodium: 795 mg Potassium: 249 mg Fiber: 3.7 g Sugar: 9.3 g Vitamin A: 12 IU Vitamin C: 0.5 mg Calcium: 138 mg Iron: 4.6 mg
