Sesame Crusted Tofu Steaks with Teriyaki Sauce

Name: Sesame Crusted Tofu Steaks with Teriyaki Sauce
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 15 min
Yield: 4 serving
Ingredients: 4 extra firm or hard tofu; 1/4 tsp each salt and pepper; 2 tbsp flour; 1 egg; 4 tbsp white sesame seeds; 4 tbsp black sesame seeds; 2 tbsp canola/vegetable oil; 2 garlic cloves; 1 green onion; 2 tbsp soy sauce; 2 tbsp mirin; 2 tbsp cooking sake; 2 tbsp water

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4.8

87 reviews

Excellent

Prep Time
5 mins
Cook Time
5 mins
Total Time
15 mins
Servings
4
Calories
298 kcal
Course
Main Course
Cuisine
Asian

Sesame Crusted Tofu Steaks with Teriyaki Sauce

Kai Walton

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Recipe video above. Sesame seeds add excellent flavour and give tofu a crispy crust crust that stays crispy even when doused with Teriyaki Sauce. Great quick and easy recipe to convert tofu haters - so far from bland, we're in a different stratosphere!

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Ingredients

Servings

4 extra firm or hard tofu , cut into 10 x 5 x 1.5cm slices (4 x 2 x 0.6"), 100g / 3.5oz each (Note 1)
1/4 tsp each salt and pepper
2 tbsp flour , plain/all purpose
1 egg , lightly whisked
4 tbsp white sesame seeds (Note 2) (yes, you really need 4 tbsp!)
4 tbsp black sesame seeds (Note 2)
2 tbsp canola/vegetable oil
2 garlic cloves , finely sliced 1mm thick (optional, Note 2)
1 green onion , finely sliced (for garnish)

Teriyaki Sauce:

2 tbsp soy sauce , preferably Japanese all-purpose, else light soy sauce (Note 4)
2 tbsp mirin , preferably Japanese (Note 5)
2 tbsp cooking sake , preferably Japanese (Note 6)
2 tbsp water

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Instructions

Sesame coating:

Season tofu: Pat tofu dry with paper towels. Sprinkle with salt and pepper.
Prepare crust coating: Place flour, egg and sesame in separate bowls (medium shallow bowls or tupperware best).
Sesame crust: Press tofu into flour, shake off excess. Dip in egg, then let excess drip off before coat in sesame seeds, pressing to adhere all over. Repeat with remaining tofu.

Cooking:

Crispy garlic: Heat oil in a non stick skillet over medium heat. Add garlic and cook until golden and crisp. Remove and drain on paper towels.
Cook tofu: Turn heat up to medium-high. Place tofu in skillet and cook for 1 1/2 minutes until the sesame smells nutty and becomes crisp. Turn carefully and cook the other side for 1 1/2 minutes. Then use tongs to prop the tofu steaks up on its sides to sear the edges until crisp - about 30 seconds each side should do it (see video for my technique).
Drain: Remove tofu to paper towel lined plate.
Teriyaki Sauce: Lower heat to medium then add Teriyaki Sauce ingredients. Simmer for 1 minute until it reduces to a syrupy consistency, then remove skillet from stove.
Serve: Place tofu steak on plate. Spoon over Teriyaki Sauce (it clings to sesame, don't worry, crust stays crispy). Sprinkle with garlic and green onion. Devour, then declare, "I LOVE TOFU!!".

Notes

Firm tofu - Get tofu labelled as "extra firm" or "hard". You're after a block that feels like a rubber sponge that you can slice and handle like steak. Not the super-soft jelly-like tofu that you have to handle with care. That will fall to bits if you try to prepare it per this recipe.
Here in Australia, it's super-handy that tofu often comes in a suitable block size such that you can just slice it and use as-is, no trimming required. Anything around the pictured size is fine. Other shapes, like batons and cubes, will also work - just more turning is required in pan.
Cooking tofu: Tofu doesn't need to be cooked, we are just making the sesame crispy and heating tofu through.
Sesame seeds - Feel free to just use white or black sesame seeds. I use both for visual interest.
Garlic - This is to make crispy garlic bits to sprinkle on top. For a shortcut option, just use store-bought crispy shallots (Asian section of Woolies, Coles, or cheaper at Asian stores).
Soy sauce - I use Kikkoman for all my Japanese cooking which is the most well known brand, and an excellent all-rounder. It is slightly sweeter and more mild in flavour than Chinese light soy sauce, though that will do in a pinch. Else any other all-rounder soy sauce. DO NOT use anything labelled "dark soy sauce" or "sweet soy sauce" (it will ruin teriyaki sauce!).
Mirin - Syrupy and golden coloured, mirin is a heavily sweetened type of rice wine with a deep flavour. It features frequently in Japanese food, introducing sweetness to dishes and when reduced gives glazes like teriyaki their sheen. Good brands include Takara, Manjo and Hinode. Avoid very cheap mirin, which is usually an imitation product.
Cooking sake - Rice wine used liberally in Japanese cooking to add umami and depth. Don’t bother wasting that boutique drinking sake you lugged all the way back from Japan for cooking, though! Cooking sake is much cheaper and perfectly acceptable for use, and these days widely available even at grocery stores.
Make ahead - Best made fresh so the sesame coating is crispy and toasty. It does stay crispy for a day or so (without sauce on it) but it really is best freshly made. Can resurrect with a quick pan fry to reheat.
Nutrition per serving, 1 tofu steak plus sauce.

Nutrition Information

Show Details

Calories 298cal (15%) Carbohydrates 14g (5%) Protein 15g (30%) Fat 20g (31%) Saturated Fat 2g (10%) Polyunsaturated Fat 8g Monounsaturated Fat 9g Trans Fat 1g Cholesterol 41mg (14%) Sodium 736mg (31%) Potassium 129mg (4%) Fiber 3g (12%) Sugar 3g (6%) Vitamin A 91IU (2%) Vitamin C 1mg (1%) Calcium 295mg (30%) Iron 4mg (22%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 4Serving

Amount Per Serving

Calories 298 kcal

% Daily Value*

Calories	298cal	15%
Carbohydrates	14g	5%
Protein	15g	30%
Fat	20g	31%
Saturated Fat	2g	10%
Polyunsaturated Fat	8g	47%
Monounsaturated Fat	9g	45%
Trans Fat	1g	50%
Cholesterol	41mg	14%
Sodium	736mg	31%
Potassium	129mg	3%
Fiber	3g	12%
Sugar	3g	6%
Vitamin A	91IU	2%
Vitamin C	1mg	1%
Calcium	295mg	30%
Iron	4mg	22%