While tofu and broccoli are frequently perceived as bland ingredients. This Sesame Tofu and Broccoli Dish will surely prove them wrong.
You get to enjoy tender broccoli, tasty tofu, and a mouth-watering sesame sauce all in one pot.
It’s an easy-to-make recipe that takes no more than 30 minutes. Anyone can prepare this meal without any special cooking experience or equipment.
What Ingredients You Will Need
This sesame tofu and broccoli dish serves 2 to 3 people.
Here’s what you’ll need
- Firm tofu, 400 grams, cubed
- Broccoli florets, 2 cups
- Sesame oil, 2 tablespoons
- Soy sauce, 3 tablespoons
- Garlic, 3 cloves, minced
- Fresh ginger, 1 teaspoon, grated
- Sesame seeds, 2 tablespoons
- Cornstarch, 1 tablespoon
- Water, 1/4 cup
- Green onions, 2, chopped
- Salt, a small pinch
- Black pepper, a small pinch
Let’s Make Sesame Tofu and Broccoli
Now it’s time to cook this perfect one-pan dish. Follow these instructions in order to get the best results.
1. Press the Tofu
Begin with pressing your tofu. Place the tofu between paper towels. Place an object that is relatively heavy on top of it. Allow it to sit for 10 minutes.
This process will help you drain the excess water from the tofu. Dried tofu fries much better than wet tofu. After pressing, chop the tofu into cubes.
Make sure they are evenly sized, as this allows them to cook equally. Set the cubes aside on a plate, as you will need them in step four.
Omitting this step usually results in soggy tofu.
2. Prepare the Broccoli
Rinse the broccoli florets under cold water. Dry them with a paper towel.
Divide the big broccoli florets into smaller ones. It is needed for better cooking of all ingredients.
Cut them into bite-size pieces. Do not make the pieces very small because they may become mushy quickly. Place the prepared broccoli in a bowl.
Later on, you will fry it in step number five. For best results, choose fresh broccoli. Defrost and drain it if it is frozen.
3. Prepare the Sauce
For preparing the sauce, you will need a small bowl. Put soy sauce, water, and cornstarch in it.
Mix these ingredients well. Then add garlic and ginger. It should be minced and grated, correspondingly.
In other words, this sauce is the main ingredient of the dish. It is responsible for the taste of tofu and broccoli. Now set the bowl aside for a few minutes.
4. Fry the Tofu
Pour sesame oil into a pan and place it over medium-high heat. Then, add the tofu cubes when the oil becomes hot enough. Lay the pieces in a single layer.
Fry for 2 minutes on each side, turning them around. The color of both sides should be golden brown. Be careful not to move the tofu while cooking.
It will become crispy this way. When they are ready, remove the tofu from the pan and transfer it to another plate.
Nonstick pan will help you flip the tofu more easily.
5. Cook the Broccoli
Use the same pan used in step 4. Put broccoli florets into it and stir-fry for 3 minutes. The color of the florets should become bright green.
Pour some water into the pan to steam the broccoli slightly. Cover the pan for 1 minute.
This will give you tender, crisp broccoli. Do not overcook the broccoli; otherwise, it will lose its firmness.
6. Mix Everything
Place the cooked tofu back into the pan. Then pour the sauce over both. Mix carefully without breaking them. Let all the ingredients cook for another 2 minutes.
The sauce will thicken after a few minutes of heating. Continue to mix, and the glaze will form on its surface.
It means that the sauce is ready. Now you should turn off the stove. Your dish is ready to be served.
In case your sauce is not thick enough, cook it longer.
7. Decorate and Serve
Put sesame seeds on the top of your dish. You can also add pieces of green onions to make your dish crunchy and give it a fresh touch.
Serve hot with a side of steamed rice.
You can also add soy sauce because it helps everyone adjust their taste.
What to Pair Sesame Tofu With?
This dish tastes great on its own. But a few sides make it even better.
1. Steamed Jasmine Rice
Another great choice is steamed jasmine rice. It absorbs the sesame sauce perfectly. In combination with the crunchy broccoli, it creates a light but fulfilling dish.
The aroma of jasmine rice is subtle and mildly sweet. Thus, it won’t overwhelm the sauce.
Besides, it is a staple food that is available in most households. It is enough to prepare jasmine rice while the tofu presses at stage one.
2. Garlic Fried Rice
Fried garlic rice is another variation of a side dish that goes well with the main dish. It has a stronger taste compared to the jasmine rice, and it complements the sauce very well.
The garlic taste complements the ginger used in the main dish. It is a heartier alternative you can consider if you are feeling hungry.
It is convenient that you can prepare it in one pan. Cold rice should be fried with garlic and some oil, with a pinch of salt added.
3. Iced Green Tea
A beverage option to go for is the iced green tea. It helps wash down the fattiness of the sesame oil.
Its taste refreshes your mouth, giving each bite a new taste.
Green tea also goes nicely with the flavors of ginger and garlic. It is often served with various dishes in the Asian cuisine.
Making this beverage is very easy. All you need is to brew tea bags and cool it with some ice.
Final Thoughts
The Sesame Tofu and Broccoli Dish is proof that great food can be very simple. Using basic ingredients, you can prepare an outstanding dish with an amazing flavor combination.
What makes this dish even better is that it does not require much effort or time to prepare. You can cook it tonight.
It goes well with rice or tea as a complete meal. Have a go and discover a new place to love.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Can I Bake Instead of Pan-Frying the Tofu?
Yes, baking works well too. Spread tofu cubes on a tray. Bake at 400°f for 20 minutes. Flip halfway for even browning.
2. What’s the Most Common Mistake People Make with This Dish?
Skipping the tofu-pressing step is common. This leaves tofu watery and soft. It won’t crisp up properly. Always press tofu before cooking it.
3. How Do I Know if My Broccoli is Fresh or Going Stale?
Fresh broccoli looks bright green. Stale broccoli turns yellow or soft. Check for a strong smell too. Fresh heads feel firm when squeezed.
