Tofu is not just for vegetarians! Everyone can enjoy it and it’s healthy for you too!!
Tofu is quite porous and therefore easily absorbs flavors. Miso is one of my favorite Japanese flavors — probably because of its sweetness (which is I think why my boys like it, too)!
Miso paste is a traditional Japanese seasoning produced by fermenting rice, barley or soybeans. It’s a great flavoring agent because it’s so full of nutrients. Miso is high in protein, maganese, and zinc. And tofu itself is
a highly nutritious, protein-rich food. So this snack (or side dish) is quite healthy and delicious!
Add a vegetable and enjoy it over brown rice for a great, complete meal. It would also be perfect with Sesame Bok Choy.
Oh, and here’s a good tip: save the marinade and spoon it over the tofu when it’s ready!
Ingredients:
- 3 tablespoons Mirin
- 1 teaspoon soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons white miso paste
- 1 (8-ounce) block extra firm tofu, drained
- Grape seed or Vegetable oil for pan
Preparation:
Serves 2 to 4
Total Prep and Cooking Time: 20 minutes
In a shallow baking dish, use a whisk to combine the Mirin, soy sauce, and miso paste. If the miso is a bit too firm to blend, you can warm it slightly in the microwave first, for about 10 seconds. Slice the tofu block into approximately 1/4-inch slices and then cut those in half, into triangles. Add the tofu triangles directly to the marinade as you cut them, flipping them once to coat both sides. Let them sit for about 15 minutes.
Heat a large saute pan with enough oil to coat it. Add the tofu to the pan — you should hear a sizzle. If you don’t hear the sizzling sound, wait until you do, or your tofu will not brown and caramelize. Cook each side until nicely browned, about 2 minutes each.
Some additional notes:
Mirin (a sweet rice wine) and miso paste are both available in Japanese markets — and often in the Asian section of larger markets.
Grape seed oil is a wonderful choice. It’s very low in saturated fat, has a high burning point, and doesn’t interfere with the other flavors. It’s my first choice when I cook with Asian flavors.
