Name: Teriyaki Tofu
Total time: 1 h
Cuisine: JapaneseAsianAsia
Ingredients: 1/2 cup water; 1/2 cup soy sauce; 1/2 cup sugar; 2 tablespoons mirin; 1 garlic clove , minced; 1 teaspoon cornstarch; 1/2 teaspoon grated fresh ginger; 28 ounces extra-firm tofu , sliced crosswise into ¾-inch-thick slabs; pepper; 2 scallions , green parts only, sliced thin; Lime wedge

Why This Recipe Works

Teriyaki sauce and tofu are a perfect match: Teriyaki sauce is easy to make from a few pantry ingredients, and the mild tofu readily soaks up the potent teriyaki flavors. First we made our teriyaki sauce from scratch with soy sauce, sugar, mirin, garlic, ginger, and some cornstarch for thickening. To encourage the tofu to absorb as much flavor as possible, we turned to the slow, gentle heat of the oven and cut the tofu into slabs. But when we pulled the tofu out of the oven, we were disappointed to find that the liquid released from the tofu during cooking had watered down the sauce, even after draining the tofu for a full 20 minutes. Since it was impossible to drain the tofu of all its liquid, we decided to account for the released liquid by overreducing the sauce to start. As the tofu baked, it released water into the concentrated sauce, diluting it to just the right flavor and thickness.

Before You Begin

You can use either firm or extra-firm tofu in this recipe. In order for this recipe to be gluten-free, you must use gluten-free soy sauce or tamari. Serve over rice.

Instructions

Adjust oven rack to middle position and heat oven to 350 degrees. Whisk water, soy sauce, sugar, mirin, garlic, cornstarch, and ginger together in small saucepan until smooth. Bring sauce to boil over medium-high heat, whisking occasionally, then reduce heat to medium-low and simmer vigorously until sauce is thickened and reduced to ¾ cup, 12 to 15 minutes.

Arrange tofu in even layer in 13 by 9-inch baking dish and pour sauce evenly over top. Cover with aluminum foil and bake until flavors have melded and tofu is warmed through, about 30 minutes, flipping tofu halfway through baking.

Transfer tofu to platter. Season sauce with pepper to taste, pour over tofu, and sprinkle with scallions. Serve with lime wedges.