3 Ways to Make Flavorful and Easy Coconut Braised Tofu

Marinate the tofu skin

Fresh tofu skin should be rinsed with water and then drained.

Place the tofu skin in a bowl and marinate with 1 tablespoon of soy sauce, 1 teaspoon of ground pepper, and 1 teaspoon of vegetarian seasoning, then mix well and let the tofu skin absorb the spices for about 20 – 30 minutes.

Shape the tofu skin

After the tofu skin has absorbed the flavors, use scissors to cut the tofu into short pieces about half the length of your hand.

Then roll these pieces of tofu skin into circles and skewer them onto bamboo sticks.

Braised tofu skin

Place a pan on the stove, add 2 tablespoons of cooking oil and heat it up, then add the tofu skin skewers and fry them briefly over medium heat until the tofu is golden brown on all sides.

Next, add about 200ml of fresh coconut water until it just covers the surface of the tofu. Turn up the heat and cook until the coconut water boils.

When the coconut water is boiling, gently flip the tofu. Reduce the heat and continue braising until the liquid in the pot thickens and reduces.

Final product

The braised tofu skin, once completed, has a beautiful brown color. The tofu skin retains its chewy and fatty texture, evenly absorbing the seasoning combined with the sweetness of the fresh coconut water and the nutty flavor of roasted peanuts, making it extremely appealing.

With this dish, you can enjoy it with hot rice or with bread, both are absolutely wonderful!

Prepare the ingredients

Dried tofu skin you bought should be soaked in water for about 3 – 5 minutes until soft, then rinse with water and let it drain. Next, use scissors to cut the tofu skin into small sheets that are suitable for wrapping.

Wood ear mushrooms should be rinsed thoroughly with cold water to clean off any dirt, then soak the mushrooms in water for about 30 – 45 minutes until they expand and soften.

Use a knife to cut off the stems, then continue to slice the mushrooms into fine strands.

Green onions should have their roots trimmed, washed clean, and then chopped. Hot peppers should be finely chopped.

Shaping the tofu

Place a piece of cut tofu skin on a clean cutting board, then add a sufficient amount of mushrooms.

Next, you roll it tightly just like rolling spring rolls. Repeat this step until all the prepared ingredients are used up.

To secure the filling inside, use a piece of thread and wrap it several times along the tofu roll.

Steamed tofu skin

Place the steamer on the stove, add water and bring to a boil, then arrange the tofu skin rolls in the pot. Cover and steam for about 20 minutes until the ingredients are cooked evenly.

Next, take the tofu skin rolls out, let them cool completely, and then use scissors to cut off the strings.

Stewed tofu skin

Place a pan on the stove, add 2 tablespoons of cooking oil and heat, then add chopped green onion and chili and sauté until fragrant.

When the onion and chili release their aroma, add 1 tablespoon of vegetarian fish sauce, 1/2 tablespoon of chili sauce, 1 teaspoon of marinade sauce, 2 teaspoons of sugar, and 1 teaspoon of vegetarian seasoning, then stir well to dissolve the spices.

Add 300ml of fresh coconut water to the pan, turn up the heat and bring to a boil.

Next, add the tofu skin and reduce the heat, then proceed to stew until the tofu skin turns a nice brown color and the sauce thickens.

Finished Product

With just a few simple steps, you can have the dish of tofu skin wrapped with shiitake mushrooms. Picking up a roll of tofu skin and putting it in your mouth, you will feel the chewiness of the outer layer, the crispy shiitake mushrooms inside, soaked in a sweet and salty flavor, rich and flavorful.

Enjoy this dish while it’s still hot with rice, bread, or steamed rice noodles with scallion oil; it will definitely make you want to keep eating!

Prepare the ingredients

Fried tofu after buying, rinse it with water to remove dirt.

Then, use a knife to cut a line along the length of the tofu piece. Use a teaspoon to scoop out some of the tofu filling and place it in a bowl.

Wash the onions, then chop them finely.

Soak the shiitake mushrooms in warm water until soft. Then squeeze the mushrooms to drain excess water and chop them finely.

Soak the wood ear mushrooms in cold water for 1 – 2 hours to expand, then chop them finely.

Sautéed Mushrooms

You place a pan on the stove, add a little cooking oil to the pan, wait for the oil to heat up, then add 2 tablespoons of chopped green onion to sauté until fragrant.

Next, you add shiitake mushrooms, wood ear mushrooms, and tofu filling to the pan, stir well. You season with 1/2 tablespoon of vegetarian seasoning, stir-fry continuously until the filling is cooked.

Shaping

You use a spoon to stuff the sautéed filling inside the prepared tofu balls.

Then, you lay a piece of tofu skin outside, place the stuffed tofu on top, and roll it up. After that, use blanched chives to tie it tightly!

Similarly, you roll until you finish the remaining tofu skin and fried tofu balls.

Pan-fried tofu skin

You place a pan on the stove, add a bit of oil, then put the rolled tofu skin in to pan-fry over medium heat. You pan-fry until both sides are evenly golden, then remove it.

Stew tofu skin

You place a pan on the stove, add a bit of cooking oil and chopped onion, sauté until the onion is fragrant.

Then, you add 100 ml of coconut water, 1/2 teaspoon of five-spice powder, 1 tablespoon of coloring sauce, 3 tablespoons of soy sauce, 1/2 teaspoon of salt, and 1.5 tablespoons of sugar, then stir well for the seasonings to dissolve.

You boil until the water is bubbling, then add the pan-fried tofu skin, simmer on low heat for about 10 minutes to let the tofu absorb the seasonings.

Final Product

The tofu skin roll with fried tofu balls, when completed, has a beautiful honey color that is appealing. When enjoyed, you will experience the rich flavor of the sauce combined with the softness of the tofu skin along with the creamy taste of the fried tofu balls and the delicious flavor of the stir-fried mushroom filling.

Rest assured, this will be a delicious vegetarian dish, perfect for eating with hot rice!