Chili Garlic Tofu Bowls

Name: Chili Garlic Tofu Bowls
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 1 h
Yield: 4 serving
Ingredients: 1 kale; 1 Tbsp neutral cooking oil; 2 cloves garlic; 1 Tbsp soy sauce; 1 tsp sesame oil; 1 Tbsp sesame seeds; 14 oz block firm tofu; 2 Tbsp Chili garlic sauce; 1 Tbsp soy sauce; 1 Tbsp brown sugar; 4 cups brown rice; 1 lime; 1/4 bunch cilantro (optional)

User Reviews

4.9

90 reviews

Excellent

Prep Time
30 mins
Cook Time
30 mins
Total Time
1 hr
Servings
4
Calories
42143 kcal
Course
Main Course, Others
Cuisine
Asian, International, Vegetarian, Vegan

Chili Garlic Tofu Bowls

Nancy Wheeler

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These Chili Garlic Tofu Bowls feature firm tofu pressed and cooked with a spicy-sweet chili garlic sauce, paired with sautéed sesame kale and served over cooked brown rice. The kale is seasoned with garlic, soy sauce, sesame oil, and seeds, providing a nutty and aromatic element. The tofu's texture is firm and the sauce adds a bold, tangy heat balanced by brown sugar sweetness, making it a well-composed bowl meal with contrasting flavors and textures.

Description

The recipe begins with pressing the tofu to remove excess moisture for better texture during cooking. The kale is prepared separately by sautéing garlic and then wilting the kale with soy sauce, toasted sesame oil, and sesame seeds for a bright, nutty vegetable side. The chili garlic sauce, soy sauce, and brown sugar are combined into a flavorful glaze applied to cubes of firm tofu cooked in a hot skillet until caramelized and coated well. The base of the bowl is cooked brown rice, providing a hearty and chewy foundation.

This dish offers a balance of spicy, savory, and slightly sweet flavors. The tofu absorbs the chili garlic sauce, while the kale adds a slightly bitter and toasted note. The sesame elements in the kale deepen the flavor profile, complementing the tofu well. The bowl format makes the meal complete and portable.

The recipe suits a vegetarian or vegan diet using simple ingredients and requires moderate prep time for pressing tofu and chopping kale. The chili garlic sauce used is a chunky store-bought Asian condiment, but alternatives like sambal oelek or sriracha can be substituted if needed.

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Ingredients

Servings

SESAME KALE

1 kale $1.50, bunch
1 Tbsp neutral cooking oil $0.02, generic cooking oil
2 cloves garlic $0.16
1 Tbsp soy sauce $0.09
1 tsp sesame oil $0.11, toasted
1 Tbsp sesame seeds $0.08

CHILI GARLIC TOFU

14 oz block firm tofu $2.00
2 Tbsp Chili garlic sauce $0.42
1 Tbsp soy sauce $0.09
1 Tbsp brown sugar $0.04

BOWLS

4 cups brown rice $0.64, cooked
1 lime $0.33
1/4 bunch cilantro (optional) $0.25

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Instructions

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Remove the tofu from its package and wrap it in a clean, lint-free kitchen towel or a few layers of paper towel. Place the wrapped tofu between two plates and place something heavy on top (like a pot full of water). Let the tofu press for at least 30 minutes.
While the tofu is pressing, prepare the kale. Remove the stems from the kale, then cut the leaves into one-inch wide strips. Rinse the leaves well in a colander with cool water. Let drain.
Mince the garlic and add it to large pot with one tablespoon cooking oil. Sauté over medium heat for about one minute. Add the washed kale and continue to stir and cook until the kale is wilted (about five minutes). Stir in the soy sauce, sesame oil, and sesame seeds. Set the kale aside.
Prepare the sauce for the tofu. In a small bowl, stir together the chili garlic sauce, soy sauce, and brown sugar. Once the tofu is finished pressing, cut it into small cubes or rectangles.
Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, add one tablespoon of cooking oil. Tilt the skillet to make sure the surface is completely covered. Add the tofu pieces. Let them fry until golden brown on bottom, then flip and fry until golden brown on the other side. Continue until the pieces are golden brown on most sides. (The tofu will stick until it is browned, at which point it will loosen from the skillet, so don't try to move or flip the tofu pieces too early.)
Once the tofu is browned on most sides, turn off the heat, pour the prepared chili garlic sauce into the skillet, and stir to coat. The sauce will thicken slightly and absorb into the tofu.
To build the bowls, add one cup of cooked rice to each bowl along with 1/4 of the sesame kale and 1/4 of the chili garlic tofu pieces. Slice a lime into wedges and serve each bowl with one or two wedges and a few sprigs of fresh cilantro. Squeeze fresh lime juice over the bowl just before eating.