Hakka Stuffed Tofu (客家酿豆腐)
客家酿豆腐, or Hakka Stuffed Tofu, is a traditional dish from the Hakka region in China. This dish is renowned for its savory filling, typically made from a mix of ground meat and aromatic seasonings, stuffed into tofu blocks, and then cooked to perfection. It's a hearty dish that combines the soft texture of tofu with the rich flavors of the stuffing. Here's a recipe to make Hakka Stuffed Tofu at home.
Ingredients
For the Tofu and Filling:
- 6-8 medium-sized blocks of firm tofu
- 300 g ground pork or a mix of pork and shrimp
- 2 green onions finely chopped
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 egg beaten
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 teaspoon grated ginger
For Cooking:
- Vegetable oil for frying
- 1/2 cup chicken broth or water
For the Sauce:
- 2 tablespoons oyster sauce
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch dissolved in 2 tablespoons water
Instructions
Prepare the Tofu:
- Cut each block of tofu in half horizontally to create two thinner pieces.
- Scoop out a small portion from the center of each tofu piece to make a pocket for the filling.
Make the Filling:
- In a bowl, combine ground pork, green onions, soy sauce, sesame oil, cornstarch, egg, minced garlic, grated ginger, salt, and pepper. Mix well to form a smooth filling.
Stuff the Tofu:
- Spoon the filling into the pockets of each tofu piece. Press down gently to ensure the filling is compact.
Pan-Fry the Tofu:
- Heat oil in a skillet over medium heat.
- Carefully place the stuffed tofu pieces filling side down and fry until the filling is golden brown. Then flip and fry the other side of the tofu. Remove and set aside.
Prepare the Sauce:
- In a separate bowl, mix oyster sauce, soy sauce, sugar, and dissolved cornstarch.
Cook with Sauce:
- In the same skillet, pour in the chicken broth or water and bring it to a simmer.
- Add the fried tofu back into the skillet. Pour the sauce mixture over the tofu.
- Cover and let it simmer for about 5-10 minutes, allowing the tofu to absorb the flavors.
Serve:
- Once the sauce has thickened and the tofu is heated through, garnish with additional chopped green onions if desired.
- Serve hot with steamed rice.
