Vietnamese Tofu in Tomato Sauce

Ingredients

• 400g (14 oz) firm tofu, cut into cubes 400g (14 oz) firm tofu, cut into cubes
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1 onion, finely chopped 1 onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves of garlic, minced 2 cloves of garlic, minced
• 4 tomatoes, diced 4 tomatoes, diced
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce 1 tablespoon soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon fish sauce (optional for vegetarian version) 1 tablespoon fish sauce (optional for vegetarian version)
• 1 tablespoon sugar 1 tablespoon sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• Fresh cilantro, for garnish Fresh cilantro, for garnish

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 220 kcal / 920 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 12g, 2g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 18g, 10g
• Protein: 12g
• Fiber: 4g
• Salt: 1.5g

Preparation

1. 1.
   Heat the vegetable oil in a large pan over medium heat.
2. 2.
   Add the tofu cubes and fry until golden and crispy on all sides. Remove from the pan and set aside.
3. 3.
   In the same pan, add the chopped onion and minced garlic. Sauté until fragrant and translucent.
4. 4.
   Add the diced tomatoes and cook until they start to soften.
5. 5.
   Stir in the tomato paste, soy sauce, fish sauce (if using), sugar, salt, and black pepper. Mix well to combine.
6. 6.
   Return the fried tofu cubes to the pan and gently stir to coat them with the tomato sauce.
7. 7.
   Reduce the heat to low and simmer for 10-15 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together.
8. 8.
   Garnish with fresh cilantro and serve hot with steamed rice or noodles.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Tofu — Press the tofu before cutting it into cubes to remove excess moisture and improve its texture when frying.

Tips & Tricks

• For a spicier kick, add a chopped chili pepper or a dash of chili flakes to the tomato sauce.
• Customize the dish by adding vegetables like bell peppers, mushrooms, or zucchini.
• For a richer flavor, use homemade tomato puree instead of diced tomatoes.
• If you prefer a smoother sauce, blend the tomato mixture before adding the tofu.
• Garnish with a squeeze of lime juice for an extra burst of freshness.

Serving advice

Serve Vietnamese Tofu in Tomato Sauce hot with steamed rice or noodles. It pairs well with a side of pickled vegetables or a fresh salad.

Presentation advice

Arrange the crispy tofu cubes on a bed of steamed rice, and pour the tangy tomato sauce over the top. Garnish with fresh cilantro leaves for a pop of color.