Braised Tofu In Caramel Sauce

Total Time: 50 mins Preparation Time: 10 mins Cook Time: 40 mins

Ingredients

• Servings: 4
• 1 lb firm tofu
• 1 cup sugar
• 3/4 cup water, divided
• 5 shallots, minced
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 tablespoons minced fresh ginger
• 3 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1/2 bunch scallion, thinly sliced ( and light-green parts only)
• fresh ground black pepper

Recipe

• 1 slice the tofu in half through the middle of the slab, then cut each piece in half. place slices between paper towels to drain.
• 2 combine sugar with 1/4 cup water in a small saucepan. cook over medium heat until small bubbles appear around the edge of the pan; from this point forward, only swirl the pan, never stir. cook 20-35 minutes, until the bubbles are thick and the syrup is a deep amber. add 1/2 cup water (it will sputter violently) and swirl. if any sugar recrystallizes, stir carefully with a metal spoon. when the syrup is clear, turn off the heat.
• 3 pour the caramel into a wide skillet over medium heat. add the shallots and cook 2 minutes. add the ginger and garlic and cook 1 minute. stir in the soy sauce and cook 10 minutes, until the vegetables are well coated and the sauce is thick and viscous.
• 4 add the tofu slices in one layer and cook, uncovered, 7 minutes.carefully turn the slices over and cook another 3-4 minutes. transfer to a warm platter. pour the sauce over the tofu, scatter with scallions and sprinkle with black pepper. serve with rice.