Tuesday, October 13, 2015

Spicy Tofu Hot Pot

Super Easy Tofu Soup

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Do you know October 2nd is a Tofu Day in Japan?  10 in Chinese Character ‘’ (looks like cross or plus sign doesn’t it?) has two pronunciations – Jyu and To (pronounce tow). 2’s Chinese character is very simple, just draw two lines, one on top of the other, make the top line slightly shorter.  ‘’ also has two pronunciations two…I mean too. Nee and Fu. See where I’m going with this? 

Inexpensive, available in supermarkets everywhere, versatile tofu is a Japanese kitchen staple. This tofu dish is incredibly easy and quick, the spicy tobanjyan sooth your melancholic soul.

The recipe is just guideline, adjust to your own taste.

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Ingredients and Instruction for two servings (Print Recipe Here)

Nice to have equipment – small stone pot with lid

  • 150 cc water
  • 2 teaspoons instant dashi powder Note; I used no-MSG granule type.
  • 4 Tablespoons soy sauce or tamari sauce
  • 1 to 2 teaspoons tobanjyan (豆板醤/spicy miso paste) available in tube or jar.
  • 1 package Japanese style soft tofu, drained and cut in 4ths
  • 2-3 stalks of green onion or 1 long green onion, cut the white part -diagonally
  • 1/3 cup tempura batter crumbs (agedama/揚げ玉 or tenkasu/天かす) they comes in a bag, find in refrigerated section of a Japanese market. Note: Homemade tempura batter crumbs – Fish out with a slotted spoon the crumbs naturally occur when you frying tempura.
  1. Pour water in stone pot or bottom heavy small pan and boil.
  2. Add dashi powder and stir to dissolve
  3. Add soy sauce.
  4. Add tobanjyan and mix well. cook until liquids come to a full boil.
  5. Lower the heat and place tofu in the pot. Put lid on and cook for about 5 -7 minutes. Turn tofu once mid way.
  6. Add green onion and cook for additional 2 minutes.DSC_7329
  7. Sprinkle tempura crumbs on top, cook for 30 second to soften the crumbs or serve immediately if you prefer crunchy texture. DSC_7333

Variation#1 – Instead of Tofu, add rinsed frozen udon noodle
Variation #2 – Add kimchi and it’s own juice to make knock-off kimchi jjiage

From instagram posts of Today’s TAPAS (#todaystapas) and Today’s Sweets(#todayssweets) -

I love Tamago yaki (卵焼き/Japanese style omelet). The amazing quilt underneath is a gift from a friend…she is so talented and very kind.IMG_5573

Pickled Grapes (the recipe in bon apetit magazine) is delightful! Ready in 30 minutes,  great in salad or for snack.IMG_5604

Well received, lovely Hokkaido Chiffon Cupcakes with custard cream filling for a church function. The recipe links - Bake for Happy kids or Nasi Lemak Lover. I must say…I did a good job!IMG_5589

Night fall comes early now, I just have one of those,  a cup of decaffeinated  earl gray tea and a good book to curl up with…when I wake in the morning, it’s still dark. I feel like I need mega dose of Vitamin D.

20 comments:

  1. Hi Nippon Nin,

    Sorry for my late visit as I have been away for holidays at Vancouver and LA and SF.

    Happy that you have tried the Hokkaido cupcakes and you like them. I know that they are not real Hokkaido originated but they are a real big hit in Asian countries. Yeah! You have baked the cupcakes very well :D

    Zoe

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    1. Thank you Zoe. I would like to try the pandan waffle soon...everything look so wonderful!

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  2. So nice to see your post! I did not know about tofu day, so I appreciate you sharing this. Great post and photos, as always! The cupcakes look and sound delicious! :)

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    1. Thank you very much Linda. Thank you for all the up-lifting quotes.

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  3. おはようございます。
    豆腐の日って知りませんでした。なるほどね~。お豆腐と天かすの組み合わせって美味しそうですね。作ってみよ~~っと!

    コメントありがとうございました。もちろんスカイツリーは一番高いですヨ。towerも
    buildingなんですね。やっぱり英語って難しい。

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    1. コメントありがとうございます。 ほんとに簡単です。ぜひ、一度作ってみてください。 
      夕焼けがきれいでしたね。 見れるような時間に登ってみたいです。 いえ、英語お上手ですよ。私の方が勉強になります。

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  4. こんにちは。10月2日が豆腐の日ですか、スーパーでも全然宣伝してなかったです。
    10月10日は目の愛護デーです。 10、を90度回転すると目の様になります。

     11月22日は、Spendlove 様の日、いい夫婦の日です。 

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    1. 目の愛護デー、良い事を聞きました。 覚えておきます。豆腐は日ごろから安いので、宣伝するのも、意味がないかもしれませんね。ははは。
      東京で行ってみたい場所が増えました。次回はいつになるのかは未定ですが、、、。コメントありがとうございました。

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  6. I instantly feel so much warmer just reading the title..spicy and hotpot. Yum, comforting and delicious. Those chiffon cupcakes look totally adorable.

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    1. Thank you very much Angie. I look for figs the other day for my attempt to make your fig dessert but couldn't...but the avocado and mango salad ingredients are much easier to find, so wish me luck! Every dish that you make look fabulous!

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  7. I did not know about Tofu Day! Your Tofu soup looks delicious - that's perfect for cold days! I love Tamago yaki, too. The quilt from your friend looks very pretty. She sure is very talented! And the cupcakes...oh my, they look so pretty and yummy!!

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    1. Thank you Tamago chan. Your cats are eating very well!

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  8. I've never seen this type of tofu soup before, bet it tastes good and nutritious too.
    Love to have a cupcake of yours to round up my meal!

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    1. Thank you for your kind comment. I would love to try your sticky rice cake soon...very similar to Japanese sweets.

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  9. I've never seen this type of tofu soup before, bet it tastes good and nutritious too.
    Love to have a cupcake of yours to round up my meal!

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  10. Looks comforting n delicious!
    never know there's such tofu day exist before, lol
    Dedy@Dentist Chef

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    1. Thank you Chef!
      Happy belated birthday! I hope you had a wonderful (and delicious) day!
      ...sorry replying so late.

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