Braised Tofu with Mushrooms

Braised Tofu is a comforting, flavorful dish often found in Chinese home kitchens. If you’ve struggled with keeping tofu from falling apart or achieving that restaurant-quality depth of flavor, this guide will walk you through the secrets to success. With the right preparation and sauce, your braised tofu can be tender, savory, and deeply satisfying.

Recipe

Serving: 4
Prep time: 15 minutes
Cook time: 15 minutes

For the tofu:
1 package soft tofu
1/10 teaspoon salt

For the clay pot:
4 tablespoons oil, separated
12 slices carrot
3 slices ginger
3 cloves garlic, smashed
1 medium king oyster mushroom, sliced
6 medium fresh shiitake mushrooms, sliced
1 bunch white beech mushrooms
1/2 cup snap peas
2 tablespoons scallions, thinly sliced

For the sauce:
1 cup water
1 tablespoon soy sauce
1/2 tablespoon dark soy sauce
2 tablespoons vegetarian oyster sauce
1 teaspoon cornstarch
1 tablespoon water

Instructions

1. Prepare the tofu:

• Cut the soft tofu into small pieces. Sprinkle the salt over the tofu to season and firm it up. Let it rest for 5 minutes, then gently dry the tofu with paper towels.

2. Make the sauce:

• In a bowl, mix the water, soy sauce, dark soy sauce, and vegetarian oyster sauce. Whisk until well combined.

3. Pan-fry the tofu:

• Heat 3 tablespoons of oil in a pan over medium heat. Once hot, carefully add the tofu and pan-fry until golden brown, about 3 minutes per side. Remove and drain any excess oil. Set aside.

4. Braise the tofu:

• In a wok over high heat, add the remaining 1 tablespoon of oil. Stir-fry the carrot, ginger, garlic, king oyster mushrooms, shiitake mushrooms, beech mushrooms, and snap peas until aromatic, about 30 seconds.
• Pour in the prepared sauce and bring to a simmer. Stir in the cornstarch slurry (1 teaspoon cornstarch mixed with 1 tablespoon water) and cook until the sauce thickens. Return the tofu to the wok and gently mix everything together.

5. Serve in a clay pot:

• Transfer everything to a preheated clay pot. Top with sliced scallions and serve immediately.

Tips & notes

• Use soft tofu for a tender texture, but handle it gently to prevent breaking.
• Salting the tofu before frying helps firm it up and adds flavor.
• Preheating the clay pot helps keep the dish warm when serving.
• Feel free to add other vegetables like bok choy or baby corn for variety.