Spicy Chili Garlic Tofu
Experience a flavor explosion with Spicy Chili Garlic Tofu! This mouthwatering dish combines crispy tofu cubes with a fiery blend of chili and garlic, creating a tantalizing culinary adventure that’s sure to awaken your taste buds. Perfect for spice lovers and tofu enthusiasts alike, this recipe offers a delightful fusion of heat and savory goodness.
Table of Contents
- The History of Spicy Chili Garlic Tofu
- Why You’ll Love Spicy Chili Garlic Tofu
- What Is In Spicy Chili Garlic Tofu?
- Key Ingredients
- How To Make Spicy Chili Garlic Tofu
- Have It Your Way!
- Nutritional Facts
- Other Recipes You’ll Love
- Spicy Chili Garlic Tofu Recipe
The History of Spicy Chili Garlic Tofu
Chili Garlic Tofu embodies a culinary journey rooted in the vibrant tapestry of Asian gastronomy. Its origins can be traced back to the diverse and flavorful cuisines of countries like China, Thailand, and Korea, where tofu holds a revered place in traditional cooking.
Throughout history, chili and garlic have been prized for their aromatic potency and robust flavors. In Asian culinary traditions, these ingredients are often used to infuse dishes with depth and heat, creating a symphony of sensations that captivate the palate.
While the precise origins of Chili Garlic Tofu are shrouded in mystery, its evolution can be understood through the lens of cultural exchange and culinary innovation. Over generations, cooks and chefs have experimented with different combinations of spices and seasonings, seeking to elevate the humble tofu into a culinary masterpiece.
Today, Chili Garlic Tofu stands as a testament to the rich heritage of Asian cuisine, offering a tantalizing blend of tradition and innovation. Whether enjoyed as a street food snack or a gourmet delicacy, this dish continues to captivate food enthusiasts around the world with its bold flavors and rich history.
Why You’ll Love Spicy Chili Garlic Tofu
- Explosive Flavor: The fiery combination of chili and garlic delivers a bold and unforgettable taste experience.
- Crispy Texture: Each tofu cube is fried to crispy perfection, providing a satisfying crunch with every bite.
- Versatile: Whether enjoyed as a main course or a flavorful side dish, Spicy Chili Garlic Tofu offers endless culinary possibilities.
What Is In Spicy Chili Garlic Tofu?
This tantalizing dish boasts a harmonious blend of ingredients carefully curated to deliver a symphony of flavors and textures:
- Tofu: The star of the show, tofu serves as the protein-rich canvas that absorbs the fiery chili and savory garlic, offering a satisfying bite with every mouthful.
- Chili: Adding a fiery kick, chili peppers infuse the dish with a bold and invigorating heat, tantalizing the taste buds and leaving a lingering warmth.
- Garlic: With its pungent aroma and rich flavor, garlic elevates the dish with its savory notes, creating a robust and aromatic profile that delights the senses.
- Soy Sauce: Providing a savory umami base, soy sauce enhances the depth of flavor and ties together the diverse elements of the dish, resulting in a harmonious and balanced taste experience.
- Carrots: These vibrant vegetables add a touch of sweetness and a satisfying crunch to the dish, complementing the heat of the chili and the richness of the garlic.
- Bell Peppers: Bursting with color and flavor, bell peppers contribute a crisp texture and a mild sweetness, balancing out the spicy and savory elements of the dish while adding visual appeal.
Together, these ingredients come together to create a culinary masterpiece that’s sure to impress even the most discerning palates.
Key Ingredients
- Tofu: Serves as the foundation of the dish, offering a versatile and protein-packed component.
- Chili: Provides the fiery heat and intense flavor that defines the dish, allowing for customization based on spice tolerance.
- Garlic: Adds a pungent aroma and savory depth, elevating the overall taste experience with its bold flavor.
- Soy Sauce: Enhances the umami richness of the dish, creating a harmonious balance of savory and spicy elements.
How To Make Spicy Chili Garlic Tofu
- Press the Tofu to remove excess water
- Cut tofu into medium pieces, and combine with corn starch, salt and ground black pepper.
- In a pan over medium heat, add 2-3 tbsp. of oil
- Pan fry or Air fry until lightly golden, and remove to a paper towel lined paper to wick away excess oil.
- In the same pan, use remaining oil or add 1 tbsp. if needed, then add garlic, chilies, carrots, peppers, whites of the green onion, and bird eye chilies. Then add the fried Tofu along with the Chili Garlic Sauce. Then Stir to coat all tofu pieces with the sauce, and the sauce to thicken.
- Then Garnish with Green Onions and Sesame Seeds.
- Enjoy with side of Jasmine rice and favorite veggies!
Have It Your Way!
Customize your Spicy Chili Garlic Tofu with these creative adaptations:
- Adjust Spice Level: Increase or decrease the amount of chili to suit your preferred level of heat.
- Add Vegetables: Incorporate bell peppers, onions, or broccoli for added color, flavor, and nutrition.
- Serve with Rice or Noodles: Enjoy it over steamed rice or noodles for a complete and satisfying meal.
Nutritional Facts
Spicy Chili Garlic Tofu offers numerous health benefits, including:
- Protein-Rich: Tofu serves as an excellent source of plant-based protein, supporting muscle health and satiety.
- Immune-Boosting: Garlic is known for its immune-boosting properties, and helping to fend off illness and promote overall wellness.
- Antioxidant-Packed: Chili peppers contain antioxidants that support cellular health and protect against oxidative stress.
Other Recipes You’ll Love
Spicy Chili Garlic Tofu Recipe
Spicy Chili Garlic Tofu
Ingredients
- 14 oz Extra Firm Tofu
- 3 Tbsp Corn Starch
- ½ Tsp Salt
- ½ Tsp Black Pepper ground
- 2 Tbsp Cooking Oil
- 1 Carrot brunoise
- 1 Long Hot Red Pepper brunoise
- 1 Orange Sweet Pepper or Bell Pepper, brunoise
- 1 Yellow Sweet Pepper or Bell Pepper
- 2 Bird Eye Chilies or Thai Chilies
- 4 Green Onions both White and Green parts
- 2 Tbsp. Garlic minced
- Sesame Seeds garnish
Chili Garlic Sauce
- 1 Tbsp. Brown Sugar
- 2 Tbsp. Soy Sauce
- 1 Tbsp. Red Chili Sauce or Oelek Sambal or Chili Garlic Sauce
- 1 Tbsp. Schezwan Chutney or Toban Djan
- 1 Tsp. Black Pepper ground
Instructions
- Press the Tofu to remove excess water14 oz Extra Firm Tofu
- Cut tofu into medium pieces, and combine with corn starch, salt and ground black pepper3 Tbsp Corn Starch, 1/2 Tsp Salt, 1/2 Tsp Black Pepper
- In a pan over medium heat, add 2-3 tbsp of oil2 Tbsp Cooking Oil
- Pan fry or Air fry until lightly golden, and remove to a paper towel lined papper to wick away excess oil.
- Mix all sauce ingredients in a bowl.1 Tbsp. Brown Sugar, 2 Tbsp. Soy Sauce, 1 Tbsp. Red Chili Sauce, 1 Tbsp. Schezwan Chutney, 1 Tsp. Black Pepper
- In the same pan, use remaining oil or add 1 tbsp of additional oil if needed, then add garlic, chilies, carrots, peppers, whites of the green onion, and bird eye chilies. Then add the fried Tofu along with the Spicy Chili Garlic Sauce. Stir to coat all tofu pieces with the sauce, and the sauce to thicken.1 Carrot, 1 Long Hot Red Pepper, 1 Orange Sweet Pepper, 1 Yellow Sweet Pepper, 2 Bird Eye Chilies, 4 Green Onions, 2 Tbsp. Garlic
- Garnish with Green Onions and Sesame Seeds4 Green Onions, Sesame Seeds
- Enjoy with Jasmine Rice and your favorite veggies!
Video
Nutrition
Want to save this for later? Post these Spicy Chili Garlic Tofu Recipe to the “Tofu Recipes” OR Vegan Food Recipes” Board!
This looks wonderful. I love Tofu.
thank you, glad you liked it 🙂 Tofu is so versatile.