Đậu Hũ Sốt Cà Chua (Vietnamese Tofu in Tomato Sauce)
Local name: Đậu hũ sốt cà chua
In short: Golden fried tofu simmered in a soft tomato and shallot sauce, a humble Vietnamese home dish that is vegan, savory and a little sweet over rice. It takes about 45 min in total and makes 4 servings.
- Prep
- 15 min
- Cook
- 30 min
- Total
- 45 min
- Servings
- 4
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 240 kcal
Đậu hũ sốt cà chua is everyday Vietnamese home cooking: cubes of tofu fried until golden, then simmered in a sauce of ripe tomatoes, shallots and garlic. It is a staple of vegetarian meals on the 1st and 15th of the lunar month, when many families eat meatless, but it is just as common on an ordinary weeknight. The tofu soaks up the sweet and savory tomato sauce, and the dish is cheap and fast.
Instructions
- Pat the tofu dry and cut it into 3 cm (1 1/4 in) cubes. Toss gently with 1/4 teaspoon of the salt.
- Heat 2 tablespoons of the oil in a nonstick pan over medium-high heat. Fry the tofu in a single layer, turning, for 8 to 10 minutes, until golden on all sides. Drain on paper towels.
- In the same pan, heat the remaining oil and cook the shallots and garlic for 1 minute until fragrant. Add the tomatoes and cook for 5 minutes, until they collapse. Stir in the tomato paste.
- Add the water, soy sauce, sugar and remaining salt. Simmer for 5 minutes, until the sauce thickens.
- Return the tofu and simmer gently for 5 minutes, spooning the sauce over it. Finish with spring onions, cilantro and pepper, and serve with steamed rice.
Tips
- Firm tofu holds its shape best, and pressing it for 15 minutes before frying makes it crisper. In a hurry, use store-bought fried tofu puffs.
- Ripe, soft tomatoes make the best sauce. If yours are pale, the tomato paste and a pinch more sugar make up for it, and a few sliced mushrooms add savory depth.
Questions and answers
Can I make it without frying the tofu?
Yes. Roast the cubes at 220°C (425°F) for 25 minutes, turning once, then add them to the sauce. The texture will be chewier.
Is đậu hũ sốt cà chua vegan?
Yes, as written, because it uses soy sauce instead of fish sauce. Non-vegetarian versions often use fish sauce or stuff the tofu with pork.
What do you serve with it?
Steamed rice, a green vegetable such as garlic water spinach, and a light soup. The sauce is made for spooning over rice.
How long does it take to make Đậu Hũ Sốt Cà Chua (Vietnamese Tofu in Tomato Sauce)?
About 45 min in total: 15 min of preparation and 30 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Đậu Hũ Sốt Cà Chua (Vietnamese Tofu in Tomato Sauce)?
About 240 kcal per serving, with 14 g of protein, 12 g of carbohydrates and 15 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 240 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 14 g |
| Carbohydrates | 12 g |
| Fat | 15 g |
| Fiber | 3 g |
| Sugar | 6 g |
| Sodium | 650 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
