I remember when I was a child, whenever the weekend came, there would always be an enticing fragrance wafting from the house, which was my mother's special home-cooked tofu. At that time, the conditions at home were not very good, and a luxurious seafood feast was a luxury for us, but my mother's home-cooked tofu became a small blessing for our whole family. Every time my mother cooked this dish, my brother and I were like kittens, gathered around the kitchen door, urging us to "hurry up, okay?" I'm hungry! ”
Mother's home-cooked tofu, the skin is golden and crispy on the outside, but the inside is tender and delicate, melts in the mouth, with the special sauce, the sweet and sour is moderate, slightly spicy but not dry, and every bite makes people can't help but praise again and again. Especially in winter, the family sits around the hot dinner table, eating hot home-cooked tofu, the warmth is warm, and the feeling of happiness is still unforgettable.
Now, although I have been away from my hometown for many years and have tasted all kinds of food from all over the world, whenever I think of the taste of home, my mother's simple but loving home-cooked tofu always comes to mind. This is not just a dish, but also the warmth of home, and the wordless love of my mother for us. Today, I would like to share with you this home-cooked tofu recipe that can awaken my infinite memories, and I hope you can also find the purest sense of happiness in this simple ingredient.
The cooking of home-cooked tofu begins with the careful selection of ingredients. You'll need a piece of old tofu with a tender texture with a spoonful of fragrant bean paste, two slices of fresh ginger, a pinch of refined salt, two spoonfuls of mellow light soy sauce, a spoonful of oyster sauce, a little bean paste to add depth, a small spoonful of sugar to temper the taste, a little chopped green onion and two cloves of garlic to add aroma.
Production steps: Ingredients preparation: First of all, prepare all the ingredients, cut the old tofu into palatable-sized pieces, slice the ginger, and chop the garlic into minced pieces.
Stimulate the flavor: Add an appropriate amount of oil to the pan, first stir-fry the peppercorns to bring out the fragrance, then add the green onions, garlic slices and ginger slices, and stir-fry until the aroma is enticing.
Seasoning base: Next, add a spoonful of bean paste and stir-fry until the oil is red and bright, and the flavor of the bean paste is fully released.
Tofu in the pot: Gently add the chopped tofu cubes, try to avoid breaking, and let each piece of tofu be coated with seasoning.
Drizzle in the sauce: Pour in the light soy sauce and oyster sauce evenly and stir-fry gently to allow the tofu cubes to absorb the sauce well.
Simmer to taste: Add enough boiling water, cover the pot, and simmer for a while over medium-low heat to make the tofu more flavorful.
Seasoning and Sauce: When the soup is almost dry, add the final seasoning agent - salt, sugar, chicken essence and thirteen spices, stir-fry evenly to make the flavor richer.
Perfect for cooking: Once the soup is thickened, sprinkle with chopped green onions and you're ready to cook, and you're ready to cook a home-cooked tofu with a fragrant and attractive colour.
Well, this home-cooked tofu dish is beautifully finished! Looking at the golden cubes of tofu and smelling the mixed aroma of bean paste and oyster sauce, I bet you can't wait to take a bite. The charm of this dish lies in the fact that it is simple and easy to make, yet rich in flavor, satisfying your food cravings without spending too much time in the kitchen.
Here's the tip: When making homemade tofu, remember to simmer it over medium-low heat, which will give the tofu more flavor and keep the full shape of the tofu. If you prefer a more layered texture, you can lightly fry the outer surface of the tofu in oil before putting it in the pan, so that the skin will be more crispy.
As for the pairing, home-cooked tofu is delicious and perfect for pairing with some light vegetables, such as stir-fried greens or cold vegetables, which can make the whole meal more nutritionally balanced. Drinks, a cup of light green tea or sweet chrysanthemum tea is the most suitable, which can not only relieve greasy, but also refresh, so that the enjoyment of the whole meal can be upgraded!
Finally, don't forget to share it with your family or friends, the joy of food is meant to be shared, isn't it? Try it and let this simple but flavorful home-cooked tofu add warmth and satisfaction to your table!
My recipe for my 2024 Chinese New Year's Eve meal