Tohu Thoke (Shan Chickpea Tofu Salad)
Local name: တို့ဟူးသုပ်
In short: Soft turmeric-yellow tofu made from chickpea flour, cut into cubes and tossed with tamarind, lime, garlic oil, onion and sesame. It takes about 30 min in total and makes 4 servings.
- Prep
- 15 min
- Cook
- 15 min
- Resting
- 1 h
- Total
- 30 min
- Servings
- 4
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 230 kcal
Shan tofu, called tohu in Myanmar, is not made from soy. It is a thick porridge of chickpea flour and water, cooked with turmeric, poured into a dish and left to set into a soft, golden block. Cut into cubes or slices, it is dressed with tamarind, lime and garlic oil and topped with onion, sesame and coriander. The result is creamy, tangy and nutty at once, and it is naturally gluten-free and soy-free.
Instructions
- Lightly oil a 20 cm (8 in) square dish. Whisk the chickpea flour with 250 ml (1 cup) of the cold water until completely smooth.
- Bring the remaining 500 ml (2 cups) water to a boil with the turmeric and salt in a saucepan.
- Lower the heat to medium. Pour in the flour mixture slowly, whisking constantly to prevent lumps.
- Switch to a wooden spoon and stir for 6 to 8 minutes until the mixture is very thick and glossy and pulls away from the sides of the pan.
- Pour into the dish and smooth the top. Let it cool for 1 hour at room temperature, or 30 minutes in the fridge, until firm.
- Cut the tofu into 2 cm (3/4 in) cubes. Whisk the tamarind water, lime juice, garlic oil, chili flakes, sugar and salt together for the dressing.
- Toss the tofu gently with the dressing and onion. Top with peanuts, sesame seeds and coriander and serve at room temperature.
Tips
- For firmer tofu that can be pan-fried, use 700 ml (3 cups) of total water instead of 750 ml. Fry the cubes until crisp, then toss them in the dressing.
- Stir constantly while the mixture thickens, scraping the corners. Lumps will not dissolve once the batter sets.
Questions and answers
Is Shan tofu made from soy?
No. It is made from chickpea flour (besan), which is why it is also called chickpea tofu. It is soy-free and gluten-free.
How long does chickpea tofu keep?
Uncut, it keeps 3 days in a covered container in the fridge. Dress it just before serving.
Can I use another flour for tohu?
Yellow split pea flour is the closest alternative and gives a similar set. Chickpea flour labelled besan or gram flour is the easiest to find.
How long does it take to make Tohu Thoke (Shan Chickpea Tofu Salad)?
About 30 min in total: 15 min of preparation and 15 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Tohu Thoke (Shan Chickpea Tofu Salad)?
About 230 kcal per serving, with 9 g of protein, 25 g of carbohydrates and 10 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 230 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 9 g |
| Carbohydrates | 25 g |
| Fat | 10 g |
| Fiber | 6 g |
| Sugar | 3 g |
| Sodium | 870 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
