Description
Blackberry glazed tofu emerges as a bold fusion of sweet and spicy flavors from Southeast Asian cuisine. Delicate tofu meets piquant chili and cracked black pepper, creating a memorable dish that sparks culinary adventure for home cooks who crave complex taste experiences.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup fresh blackberries (heaped)
- 1 block firm tofu (14 oz/397 g)
- 2 tbsps olive oil
- 2 tbsps coconut aminos
- 2 tbsps balsamic vinegar
- 2 tbsps maple syrup
- 1 tbsp arrowroot starch
- 1–2 tbsps water (if needed)
- ¾ tsp freshly ground black pepper
- ½ tsp chili flakes
- ¼ tsp ground ginger
- Sea salt
- Salt
- Ground black pepper
Instructions
- Moisture Extraction: Press tofu for 10-15 minutes, blot with a kitchen towel, and slice into uniform 1-inch cubes.
- Seasoning Preparation: Massage tofu with olive oil, coconut aminos, salt, and black pepper, ensuring even coating.
- Coating Application: Dust tofu pieces with arrowroot starch to create a crispy, golden exterior.
- Cooking Technique: For air frying, arrange tofu in a single layer within the basket, maintaining spacing for optimal crispiness at 375°F (190°C) for approximately 15 minutes, periodically agitating the basket.
- Alternative Cooking Method: If pan-frying, heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat, carefully adding seasoned tofu cubes and rotating to achieve uniform golden-brown caramelization.
- Blackberry Glaze Creation: Combine blackberries, balsamic vinegar, maple syrup, ground black pepper, chili flakes, ginger, and salt in a saucepan, simmering while gently crushing blackberries to develop a jam-like consistency.
- Sauce Refinement: Adjust glaze viscosity with water if needed, creating a smooth, clingy sauce.
- Final Preparation: Completely coat crispy tofu in the glossy blackberry reduction, ensuring thorough coverage.
- Presentation: Serve immediately, garnishing with fresh herbs and an additional sprinkle of black pepper to enhance the dish’s aromatic profile.
Notes
- Press and Dry Tofu: Extract maximum moisture by pressing for 10-15 minutes, then blot completely with a clean kitchen towel to ensure crispy texture.
- Season Thoroughly: Gently massage tofu with olive oil, coconut aminos, salt, and black pepper to infuse deep, even flavor throughout each cube.
- Create Crispy Coating: Dust tofu with arrowroot starch for a light, golden exterior that provides irresistible crunch and helps sauce adhere perfectly.
- Master Cooking Technique: Maintain single-layer arrangement during air frying or pan-frying, allowing each tofu piece to develop uniform golden-brown caramelization without overcrowding.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Asian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 10 g
- Sodium: 300 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 28 g
- Fiber: 5 g
- Protein: 14 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg