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Warm Tofu With Spicy Garlic Sauce

4.6

(92)

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photo by Roland Bello

This gently simmered tofu topped with a stir-together sauce is a common banchan. It would also make a great vegetarian main course served with rice. The sauce—speckled with chopped garlic, scallion, sesame seeds, and Korean hot red-pepper flakes—couldn't be simpler or more satisfying. You will want to eat it on everything.

Cooks' notes:

•Sauce can be made 1 day ahead and chilled. Bring to room temperature before using.
•Tofu can be kept warm up to 4 hours.

Recipe information

  • Total Time

    20 min

  • Yield

    Makes 8 (as part of a Korean meal) servings

Ingredients

1 (14-to 18-ounces) package soft tofu (not silken)
1 teaspoon chopped garlic
1/4 cup chopped scallion
2 teaspoons sesame seeds, toasted and crushed with side of a heavy knife
3 tablespoons soy sauce
1 tablespoon Asian sesame oil
1 teaspoon coarse Korean hot red-pepper flakes
1/2 teaspoon sugar

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Carefully rinse tofu, then cover with cold water in a medium saucepan. Bring to a simmer over medium-high heat, then keep warm, covered, over very low heat.

    Step 2

    Meanwhile, mince and mash garlic to a paste with a pinch of salt. Stir together with remaining ingredients (except tofu).

    Step 3

    Just before serving, carefully lift tofu from saucepan with a large spatula and drain on paper towels. Gently pat dry, then transfer to a small plate. Spoon some sauce over tofu and serve warm. Serve remaining sauce on the side.

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