Grilled Tofu with Miso Sauces Recipe(Tofu-Dengaku)

Tofu Dengaku(豆腐田楽) are little rectangular slices of baked or fried tofu with various miso toppings. The toppings are savory and a little sweet. They are often serves on bamboo forks or skewers. This is a great hors d'oeuvre or side dish. You can also use blocks of konnyaku in the same way. Serve with perilla leaves(shiso) or other greens. There are three slightly diferent topping recipes here. A perfect healthy and hearty dish.


Serves 4     327 cal./serving




Ingredients: 

• 2 blocks regular tofu, about 10. oz.(285g) each
• vegetable oil
• bamboo forks or skewers(optional)
• perilla leaves(shiso) or lettuce(optional)
• konnyaku (optional)

Topping 1:

• 1-1/2 Tbsp. black sesame seeds
• 3 Tbsp. red miso
• 1-1/2 Tbsp. dashi bonito stock
• 1-1/2 Tbsp. sugar
• 1 Tbsp. mirin

Topping 2:

• 3 Tbsp. red miso
• 1-1/2 Tbsp. dashi bonito stock
• 1-1/2 Tbsp. sugar
• 1 Tbsp. mirin

Topping 3:

• 3 Tbsp. white miso
• 1-1/2 Tbsp. dashi bonito stock
• 1-1/2 Tbsp. sugar
• 1 Tbsp mirin

Directions:

1. Topping 1 and Topping 2 are the same, except for the black sesame seeds. Toast and grind sesame seeds and set aside. Combine all other ingredients (both 1 and 2)in a saucepan and stir constantly over medium heat until mixture thickens and slightly reduced. Remove from heat and divide in half. Add ground black sesame to one half.
2. Topping 3 i the same, except the miso is white. Combine all ingredients and stir constantly until mixture thickens and is reduced.

Baking:

1. Cut each block of tofu ino 6 equal rectangular slices. Put a paper towel on the cutting board and tilt up slightly. Put tofu on the cutting board, lay another paper towel on top, and put a heavy plate or other cutting board on top to press out excess water. Lay aside for 30 minutes.
2. Preheat oven to 475°F/245ºC Line broiler pan with foil and brush on a little vegetable oil. Arrange tofu slices in the pan and bake for about 10 minutes or until tofu surface is brown.
3. Now spread toppings evenly over tofu slices like a thick paste and broil for another 3 minutes until topping darkens slightly.

Frying pan:

1. First, place tofu in a pan with just enough water to cover and bring to a boil over medium heat. Simmer for about 5 minutes until tofu is firm. Carefully remove from pan with a spatula and pat dry.
2. Saute tofu slices in a frying pan with oil, turning carefully, over medium heat until golden brown.

Serving:

• If desired, put tofu slices on bamboo forks or skewers and serve on a bed of perilla leaves(shiso) or lettuce or other greens.