Steamed Tofu with Black Bean Sauce

Recipe by: Martin Yan | from Martin Yan's China

Cookstr

Course: Main Course, Side Dish, Starch

Total Time: Under 30 Minutes

Skill Level: Easy

Cost: Moderate

I’ve heard the complaint countless times: tofu is too bland. Instead of seeing it as a flaw, however, I see it as a strength. The neutrality of tofu makes it the perfect food to absorb other flavors, especially strong ones, like salted black beans, which lend a distinctly pungent, smoky flavor to this recipe. Serve this dish with steamed brown rice for a truly tasty and healthy meal.

Yield: Makes 4 servings

INGREDIENTS

1 tbsp Black Bean Sauce or a store-bought version
1 tbsp soy sauce
1 tsp sesame oil
2 tsp sugar
One 16-ounce package soft tofu, drained
1 green onion, julienned
3 sprigs cilantro
1 small red bird chile, sliced on the diagonal, leaving the seeds in for heat (optional)
1 tbsp vegetable oil

Directions

To make the sauce, combine the black bean sauce, soy sauce, sesame oil, and sugar in a small bowl and stir until the sugar dissolves.

Cut the tofu widthwise into 8 equal slices. Carefully transfer the tofu to a heatproof glass dish that will fit into your steamer comfortably.

Prepare a wok or stir-fry pan for steaming (see Notes). Steam the tofu, covered, until heated through, about 2 minutes. Pour the sauce over the top and steam for another 2 minutes. Garnish with the green onion, cilantro, and sliced chile, if using.

In a small saucepan, heat the vegetable oil to almost smoking and drizzle it over the top of the dish. Serve immediately.

Notes

Steaming:

One of the best ways to retain the natural flavor and nutritional value of your ingredients. Steaming is also a very healthy cooking technique because it uses little or no fats or oils.

To steam, bring water to a boil in a wok or wide frying pan. Place the food in a heatproof dish and place it on a steamer rack above boiling water. Cover the steamer with a tight-fitting lid and steam until the food is done, adding additional water as needed. Remember to be very careful when removing the steamer lid. Always tilt the lid away from yourself, so the escaping steam will not burn you.

NUTRITIONAL INFORMATION

Nutrients per serving (% daily value)

Nutritional information does not include Black Bean Sauce. For nutritional information on Black Bean Sauce, please follow the link above.

Calories 139kcal (7%)

Sodium 261mg (11%)

Total Carbohydrate 5g

Fiber 1g

Fat 10g (15%)

Trans Fat 0g

Saturated Fat 1g (6%)

Monounsaturated Fat 4g

Polyunsaturated Fat 4g