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braised tofu & mushrooms

Savory Braised Tofu & Mushrooms in Sweet Caramel Sauce

This savory braised tofu & mushrooms recipe features tender tofu and mushrooms simmered in a rich caramel sauce, perfect for a quick weeknight dinner.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: Vietnamese
Calories: 200
Ingredients Equipment Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Tofu
  • 1 block Firm Tofu Regular firm tofu for best texture and flavor absorption.
  • 2 tablespoons Oil Vegetable oil for frying.
For the Caramel Sauce
  • ½ cup Sugar Granulated white sugar is essential.
  • 1 tablespoon Water Helps dissolve the sugar.
For the Aromatics
  • 1 small Shallot Finely minced for flavor.
  • 2 tablespoons Chopped Green Onions Use only the green tops.
For Flavor
  • ¼ cup Vegan Fish Sauce / Soy Sauce Adds umami richness.
  • 2 tablespoons Sweet Chili Sauce / Sriracha Adjust based on spice preference.
  • ¼ teaspoon Ground Black Pepper Adjust to taste.
For the Mushrooms
  • 2 cups Mushrooms (Cremini preferred) Substitute with shiitake, oyster, or straw mushrooms.

Equipment

  • Clay pot or saucepan
  • Air Fryer
  • parchment-lined baking sheet

Method
 

Step-by-Step Instructions
  1. Dice the firm tofu into 1-inch cubes and pat them dry with a paper towel to remove excess moisture.
  2. Air-fry the tofu by preheating your air fryer to 355°F (180°C), brushing the cubes with oil, and cooking them for 14 minutes, flipping halfway.
  3. Alternatively, bake in the oven on a parchment-lined baking sheet for 12-14 minutes until golden brown.
  4. In a clay pot or saucepan, combine ½ cup of granulated sugar with 1 tablespoon of water over medium heat. Stir gently until the mixture bubbles and caramelizes to a golden brown.
  5. As soon as the caramel reaches a golden hue, stir in minced shallots and chopped green onions.
  6. Pour in ⅓ cup of water along with vegan fish sauce, sweet chili sauce, soy sauce, and ground black pepper. Stir well.
  7. Gently fold in the pre-fried tofu cubes and quartered mushrooms into the pot. Cover and simmer for about 10 minutes.
  8. Once fragrant and cooked through, remove from heat and serve warm over steamed white rice or your favorite grain.

Nutrition

Serving: 1servingCalories: 200kcalCarbohydrates: 22gProtein: 15gFat: 8gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 3gSodium: 500mgPotassium: 300mgFiber: 3gSugar: 5gVitamin C: 10mgCalcium: 150mgIron: 2mg

Notes

Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 2 days or freeze for up to 2 months.

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