Tofu Sambal

A sambal is basically a chilli based sauce and there are several varieties of this spicy sauce. The sambal oelek sauce that one finds commercially typically contains shrimp paste. It's easy enough to make this at home with the dried red chillies that we almost always have at home. This spicy sauce is a perfect combination for the bland tofu and this was the first dish that had my tofu-hating husband start appreciating tofu. Nowadays he is perfectly fine with tofu in any form and I make quite a few dishes using it.

FIERY TOFU SAMBAL


Ingredients:
Firm Tofu - 1 pack (16 to 19 oz), drained & cut into 1 inch cubes
Medium Onions - 2, sliced thinly and cut into 1 inch pieces
Tomatoes - 2 small (roma), chopped
Garlic - 4 cloves, chopped, finely
Ginger - 1 inch, chopped, finely
Tomato Puree/ Paste (canned) - 1 tbsp
Dried Red Chillies - 7 to 8 (or adjust based on spiciness desired)
Sugar - 1 tsp (recommended since it gives a caramelized flavour)
Soy Sauce - 1 to 2 tsp
Salt - to taste
Oil - 2 tbsp
Coriander leaves - 2 tbsp, chopped for garnish


Method:
1) Saute chopped fresh tomatoes with a bit of salt & a wee bit of oil till mushy.

2) Place dried red chillies in a bowl of water, bring it to a boil and let boil for about 5 minutes. Switch off the stove, cover and allow to stay for about 10 mins. Drain the chillies.

3) Grind the drained red chillies with the sauteed tomatoes & the tsp of sugar to a smooth paste.

4) Heat 1 tbsp oil in a wide saute pan, sprinkle a bit of salt and add the tofu pieces, allow them to brown on one side, sprinkle more salt on top and flip them over, allowing the other side to brown as well. Remove from the stove and keep aside.

5) In the same pan, heat the other tbsp of oil and saute onions, ginger & garlic till browned. Add the fried tomato -chilli paste along with the tbsp of tomato paste and fry till thick & the raw taste has gone - about 5 to 8 minutes.

6) To this, add about a cup of water, mix well and stir in the tofu cubes. Cook until the tofu absorbs the masalas on a low-medium flame. The mixture will be semi solid. Garnish with coriander leaves and serve with rice.

Comments

  1. Looks like manchurian whatever they are yum!

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  2. This looks like something youd get at a really nice Asian restaurant. This recipe is going in my bookmarks :)

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  3. mmmm. a tempting dish! yum!!

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  4. I love sambal. This looks very delicious with tofu.

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  5. U managed to add some kick to the tofu.. kind of chili tofu, but really looks inviting.

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  6. hi...my all time fav.....tofu sambal....v temptin....now am craving for sOME..Nice presentation!

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  7. Wow sambal looks catchy and delicious...

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  8. Looks very very attractive. I am game for anything called sambal.

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  9. Tofu sambal sounds spicy and delish..pictures are very tempting.Need to try them..

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  10. this looks really yumm..and am going to try this soon..

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  11. Love the colour - I'll have to weigh down the tofu to make it firm!

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  12. Lovely color & reminds me of a chilli paneer or a paneer manchurian..... I loved it....

    Ash....
    (http://asha-oceanichope.blogspot.com/)

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  13. Whoo tofu sambal looks tempting, very appealing preparation, love it.

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  14. Great recipes. Great blog. I have just started a blog about blogs. I would really like to include your blog in a review of blogs I like. Please take a look and let me know if you are happy for me to do that. Thank you.

    Trixia
    http://bloggersnetlist.blogspot.com/

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  15. I'm definitely trying this recipe Lavanya. Tofu is our favorite and I'm sure that we will love the flavor of this dish very much.

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  16. Wow thats a new dish, looks so flavorful!

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  17. Looks and sounds delicious, would love to give this a try !

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  18. love the colour of this dish. Must try soon :)

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  19. Sambal can really turn up the delectablity factor in tofu :)

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  20. Wow,thats a mouthwatering recipe Laavanya! Looks too gud!

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  21. lavanya madam, your blog looks very nice. becos of your payasam photos my mouth full of watering now...;)

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  22. i am loving the color!....i have stopped eating tofu..for other reasons...but i think i am going to try this with paneer soon

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  23. Well no one can look at this dish and say blah - tofu :) the sambal makes it outstanding!

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  24. that does look fiery and I am sure it tasted that way too with 7 red chillies

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  25. Super dish lavanya..luv the color..Thanks for visiting my blog..Will never miss your recipes..Following you ..

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  26. LOVE the color, so yummy. I like the word Sambal, I have a bottle of Sambal at home, so fiery and yum!! Great dish.

    Allergy is not fun at all, unfortunately my son has inherited it from me as well. Relief comes only in June for me. It gets better when it rains, Pollen goes down. Oh well..got to suffer, no choice!:)

    Poha in Idli batter makes it super soft but also very sticky at the bottom of Idli mould, so apply no-stick or oil or butter.

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  27. the tofu smabal looks so spicy..love the color..sure i will buy this sambal..

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  28. That looks delectable and mouthwatering dear... nice recipe.

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  29. Thanks for your help on my post :) Sambal looks delicious!

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  30. Looks like the chilli paneer you get here :) Shall try it for dinner someday :)

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  31. Humm tempting Tofu Sambal :))

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  32. Great one...i just love tofu...and so does my hubby...he will sure like this recipe...

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  33. I love this soooooooooo much.. looks so yummy...

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  34. wow..simply awesome...wht a beautiful color..nice clicks..

    first time here...u have a lovely space...just started blogging..and love to add u in my list..
    ur comments/suggestions r highly appreciated..happy blogging...following u>>>>>>



    sanyuktagour(bayes)
    http://creativesanyukta.blogspot.com/

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  35. wow..simply awesome...wht a beautiful color..nice clicks..

    first time here...u have a lovely space...just started blogging..and love to add u in my list..
    ur comments/suggestions r highly appreciated..happy blogging...following u>>>>>>



    sanyuktagour(bayes)
    http://creativesanyukta.blogspot.com/

    ReplyDelete
  36. Best way to use Tofu in my opinion. With lots of flavor and spice!

    http://planbeventandcatering.com/

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  37. that looks healthy, yummy and fiery, as you have described! a perfect snack.

    I'm hosting a Magic Bullet giveaway on my blog and would love for you to participate by sending in a Snack recipe:)

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  38. great clicks....looks tempting!! love the colors!

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