Agedashi Tofu is a well known Japanese dish served as an appetizer or eaten as a side dish. It is a personal favourite, but I prefer a thicker sauce instead of the regular tentsuyu. Tofu is a good source of iron, low calorie and low fat. It is a healthy and delicious recipe that is perfect for those on a diet.

Ingredients:

One block soft tofu

Corn starch

Oil for deep frying

1/2 cup dashi stock (powdered dashi dissolved in water)

1/8 cup mirin

1/8 cup light soy sauce

1 teaspoon sugar

1 teaspoon grated ginger

2 tablespoons grated radish (daikon)

Sliced green onions/scallions

Dried bonito flakes/katsuobushi or shredded nori

To prepare the dipping sauce, heat the mirin in a pan under medium heat. Pour in the dashi and soy sauce. Once it boils, stir in the sugar, ginger and radish. Mix well until the sugar granules dissolve. You may add a little cornstarch if you wish the sauce to thicken. Strain and discard the solid parts. Set aside.

Cut the tofu into pieces. Pat them dry using paper towels. Coat them in cornstarch and deep fry until golden brown or crispy. Drain the oil using paper towels or place the tofu in a strainer.

Place the fried tofu in a bowl and pour in some tentsuyu sauce.  Garnish with scallions and katsuobushi or nori. Serve immediately.

Photo Courtesy Of: arnold | inuyaki