TOFU KARE KARE
Kare Kare is a filipino dish that is typically made with braised oxtail in a savory peanut based sauce. I love the original dish but I also love having it with tofu when I don’t have time to dedicate to braising meats. The secret ingredient that makes the peanut sauce so delicious is actually fermented shrimp paste! And before you run for the hills just trust me, it requires very little of it and adds an insane amount of flavor.
TOFU KARE KARE RECIPE makes 2-3 servings
INGREDIENTS
1 block of firm tofu cut into large cubes
1/2 cup long beans or green beans
1 small Chinese eggplant cut large dice or coins
1/2 cup bok choy chopped or halved
1/2 small yellow onion small dice
4 cloves of garlic minced
1/4 cup smooth peanut butter
1/2 cup water
3 tbsp soy sauce
1 tbsp fish sauce
2 tsp fermented shrimp paste
salt and pepper
crushed peanuts optional
DIRECTIONS
Cut your tofu into large cubes. Give them a good dry down and fry them however you like to fry them (pan seared, baked, air fried, shallow fried, your choice!) Set aside
Cut the eggplant into cubes or coins. Cover them with two generous pinches of salt in a bowl and toss. Let them sit on the counter for at least 10 minutes or until they start sweating and releasing water. This helps remove bitterness from the eggplant. After they’ve sat, rinse them under cold water and pat them dry.
Heat up a medium pan with oil. Saute the diced onions until they are translucent. Add the garlic and cook until aromatic.
Increase the heat to medium high or high and add the green beans and eggplant. Cook for 2-3 minutes or until they start to soften and become a little more tender.
To the pan add the water, soy sauce, fish sauce, and peanut butter. Mix well and make sure the peanut butter is broken up and dissolves into the liquids. Bring the sauce down to a simmer.
Season with shrimp paste one teaspoon at a time, tasting the sauce for saltiness before each addition.
When the sauce has reduced a little, add in the cooked tofu and it’s ready to serve! You can also plate the tofu in a bowl with some rice and ladle the sauce over top and finish with crushed peanuts if that’s more your jam. Either way, it’s gonna be delish.
