Tofu is a staple ingredient in the daily diet of Vietnamese people. It is not only affordable and versatile but also packed with nutrients such as calcium, protein, calories, iron, and zinc. These properties help prevent cardiovascular diseases, reduce the risk of cancer, improve bone health, alleviate menopausal symptoms, and prevent diabetes.
If you’re tired of the same old tofu dishes like tomato sauce, fried tofu, tomato soup, braised tofu with meat, or tofu with spicy sauce, it’s time to try something new. With this recipe, you can make stuffed tofu with meat, a delicious and nutritious meal.
Tofu is a common ingredient in the daily meals of Vietnamese people. It is not only easily accessible and inexpensive but also highly versatile. Tofu contains a wealth of nutrients, including calcium, protein, calories, iron, and zinc, which contribute to a healthy diet. Incorporating tofu into your meals can help prevent cardiovascular diseases, reduce the risk of cancer, strengthen bones, alleviate menopausal symptoms, and even prevent diabetes.
If you’re tired of the same old tofu dishes, such as tofu in tomato sauce, fried tofu, tofu and tomato soup, braised tofu with meat, or tofu with spicy sauce, it’s time to try something new. With this recipe, you’ll learn how to make stuffed tofu with meat, a delicious and nutritious dish.
1. Ingredients for Stuffed Tofu with Meat
– Pork
– Eggs
– Tofu
– Dried shiitake mushrooms, scallions, shallots, and lolot leaves (a type of herb commonly used in Southeast Asian cuisine)
– Seasonings: Salt, oyster sauce, fish sauce, and cooking oil
2. How to Make Stuffed Tofu with Meat
Step 1: Prepare the Ingredients
– Rinse the tofu and cut it in half. Using a knife, carefully hollow out a rectangular shape in the tofu and scoop out the inside, placing it in a separate clean bowl.
– Peel and finely chop the shallots.
– Remove any wilted or damaged leaves from the scallions, rinse them, and cut into short lengths.
– Soak the dried shiitake mushrooms in a bowl of clean water to rehydrate them. Once soft, rinse and mince the mushrooms.
– Rinse the lolot leaves and set them aside to dry. Chop the leaves finely.
– Rinse the pork and mince or grind it.
Step 2: Mix the Stuffing and Fill the Tofu
– In a clean bowl, combine the tofu, ground pork, eggs, scallions, lolot leaves, shallots, and mushrooms. Adjust the amounts of salt, oyster sauce, and fish sauce to your taste and mix well. Let the mixture marinate for about 15 minutes to allow the flavors to blend.
– Stuff the prepared tofu pieces with the meat mixture and get ready to fry them.
Step 3: Fry the Stuffed Tofu
– Place the stuffed tofu pieces on a tray and lightly brush the surface with cooking oil.
– For the first frying, place the tofu in an oven and fry at 200 degrees Celsius for about 15 minutes.
– Using chopsticks or a spatula, carefully turn the tofu over and fry the other side for another 15 minutes at the same temperature.
Frying the stuffed tofu in an oven ensures that it cooks evenly and doesn’t absorb too much oil. The final product will have a golden, crispy exterior with a soft and flavorful meat filling.
3. Notes and Tips for Making Stuffed Tofu with Meat
– When purchasing tofu, look for a creamy white color and a fresh soybean aroma. The tofu should have a bouncy texture and feel light to the touch.
– If you don’t have an oven, you can use a non-stick pan to fry the stuffed tofu. Fry the tofu over low heat to ensure that the outside becomes golden and crispy while the inside cooks through.
– While tofu is a nutritious food, those with anemia, kidney problems, stomachaches, diarrhea, or stomach inflammation should consume it in moderation to avoid any adverse effects.