100 minutes
A delicious tofu dish marinated in a savory sesame-ginger sauce, perfect for grilling or baking.
Extra-Firm Tofu, drained and pressed
0 lb
cups
tablespoons
tablespoons
tablespoons
Asian Chile Sauce
teaspoons
Ginger, peeled and coarsely chopped
0.25 inch
Garlic, smashed
cloves
Vegetable Oil, for greasing
to taste
1. Prepare the marinade
In a wide, shallow bowl, combine the mirin, tamari, rice wine vinegar, sesame oil, Asian chile sauce, ginger, and garlic. Whisk these ingredients together until they are well combined.
2. Marinate the tofu
Cut the pressed tofu into either four or eight equal pieces, depending on whether you plan to grill or bake the tofu. Place the tofu slices into the marinade, ensuring each piece is well-coated. Allow the tofu to marinate for at least one hour, turning the pieces halfway through to ensure even flavor absorption.
3. Grill the tofu
Lightly grease a stove-top grill pan with vegetable oil and preheat it over medium-high heat for about three minutes. Carefully place the marinated tofu slices on the hot grill. Grill each piece for three minutes on one side, then turn it 90 degrees to create grill marks, cooking for another two minutes. Flip the tofu and grill for an additional two minutes. Once done, cut each piece diagonally into two triangles.
4. Bake the tofu
Preheat your oven to 400°F. Arrange the marinated tofu pieces on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or lightly greased. Bake the tofu for 20 minutes, then flip each piece to ensure even cooking. Continue baking for another 10 minutes. If you like your tofu a bit chewier, switch the oven to broil and cook for an additional three minutes.
Start with high-quality, firm or extra-firm tofu. The firmness is crucial for maintaining integrity during marinating and cooking, ensuring a delightful texture contrast.
Before marinating, press the tofu to remove excess moisture. This step is essential for allowing the tofu to absorb the marinade fully.
Patience pays off when marinating tofu. For the flavors to fully penetrate, marinate for at least one hour, or even better, overnight in the refrigerator.
To deepen the flavor profile, grate fresh ginger instead of using powdered, and opt for freshly minced garlic. Toasting the sesame seeds and using high-quality sesame oil can also enhance the nutty notes in your dish.
Make sure your pan is hot before adding the tofu. This will help to create a nice sear and add texture to your tofu. A cast-iron skillet is best for that perfect crust.
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