These deep-fried tofu rest on a bed of vegetables covered in bubbling hot, brown sauce and is served on a sizzling plate. And we all know everyone loves sizzling hot plates! Hot plate tofu was always one of my favorite go-to dishes eating out, where the sizzling hot plate delivered to your table was always an occasion for celebration and much envy. I never liked tofu before then. But this really changed my mind. And it’s not just the sizzle factor that makes this great cause for being just a plate of vegetables, it tastes really freaking great.
I would convert to vegetarianism if all the food was like this. That’s how good it is!
So here’s a modified version of hot plate tofu. If I recall, the version I used to order at restaurants used fried egg tofu, not the firm kind. I’ve had problems frying the egg tofu and keeping it intact, so I need more practice. Using firm tofu is easier. There’s also a variation on the types of vegetables paired with it.
It’s a three-part process preparing this: the deep-frying of the tofu, the preparation of the sauce in the background and finally, the coming together of both on a hot plate. I use a fajita pan so if you have one sitting in your kitchen, try this out. It’s good enough to turn people who snub their noses at tofu, into tofu lovers. No, really!
Now if you’re strictly vegetarian, use vegetable broth in lieu of chicken broth. Otherwise, if you don’t mind the chicken, use that. Happy eating!
PrintHot Plate Tofu
- Yield: 2 1x
Ingredients
- 2 blocks of firm tofu, cut into cubes, about 12 pieces
- 3 tablespoons cornstarch
- 2 cups sweet baby corn, straw or sliced portobello mushrooms and sliced carrots
- 1 green onion, sliced
- 1 egg, beaten
- 2 teaspoons cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons cold water
Sauce:
- 1 cup chicken broth/vegetable broth
- 1 tablespoon garlic, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon ginger, minced
- 1 tablespoon oyster sauce
- 1 teaspoon light soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- Pepper to taste
Instructions
- Dredge the tofu in cornstarch and deep-fry in batches until golden brown
- Drain on paper towels and set aside
- Over medium high heat, pour chicken broth into a saucepan
- Add garlic, ginger, oyster sauce, light soy sauce, sugar and pepper to taste
- Toss in sweet baby corn, mushrooms and carrots and bring to a boil
- Add cornstarch mixture to thicken the broth
- Add green onions and stir to combine
- Remove from heat and add in sesame oil
- Heat up a fajita plate on the stove and season with oil
- Pour the egg over the base, spreading it to all corners
- Once the egg is half cooked, arrange the fried tofu on the plate and slowly pour the sauce mixture over it
- Simmer until the sauce starts bubbling
- Remove from heat and serve sizzling hot
Comments & Reviews
Len says
Not quite vegetarian. You’ll have to sub in vegetable broth for the chicken broth. This is a keeper!
The Cooking Jar says
Thanks for pointing that out, Len! These were the days when I wasn’t as strict with my labeling and recipe writing, or a food blogger newbie if I’m being honest. I’ve gone ahead and changed it a little to make it relevant 🙂 Thanks for coming back and letting me know AND for trying one of my old recipes (which usually doesn’t get much love)!