Tahu Bakar

Name: Tahu Bakar
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 35 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: Indonesian
Ingredients: 28 oz firm tofu, drained and pressed; 1/4 cup soy sauce; 4 garlic cloves, minced; 2 tbsp lime juice; 2 tbsp vegetable oil; 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter; 1/2 cup coconut milk; 2 tbsp chili sauce; 2 tbsp tamarind paste; 2 tsp palm sugar; 1 cucumber, sliced; 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped

Grilled tofu with spicy peanut sauce and a smoky char. Crispy outside, tender inside, deeply flavorful.

35 minEasyServes 4280 cal/serving

IndonesianDinnerGrillVegetarian

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Ingredients

28 oz firm tofu, drained and pressed
1/4 cup soy sauce
4 garlic cloves, minced
2 tbsp lime juice
2 tbsp vegetable oil
1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
1/2 cup coconut milk
2 tbsp chili sauce
2 tbsp tamarind paste
2 tsp palm sugar
1 cucumber, sliced
1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped

Instructions

1

Cut 28 oz drained and pressed firm tofu into 1-inch thick slabs. In a bowl, whisk 1/4 cup soy sauce, 4 minced garlic cloves, and 2 tbsp lime juice. Toss 28 oz drained and pressed firm tofu gently in this mixture and let marinate for 10 minutes.
2

Preheat grill to medium-high heat. Lightly brush 2 tbsp vegetable oil on grill grates.
3

Place 28 oz firm tofu on grill and cook until golden char marks appear, about 5-7 minutes per side. Avoid moving them too much to develop a nice crust.
4

While 28 oz firm tofu grills, whisk together 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter, 1/2 cup coconut milk, 2 tbsp chili sauce, 2 tbsp tamarind paste, and 2 tsp palm sugar until smooth. Adjust consistency and taste as needed.
5

Serve grilled 28 oz firm tofu topped with peanut sauce, 1 sliced cucumber, and 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro. Serve warm.

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Questions

Do I have to press the tofu for Tahu Bakar?

Step 1 reads: "Cut 28 oz drained and pressed firm tofu into 1-inch thick slabs." Yes, if you want it to brown. Step 1 squeezes out water that would otherwise steam the surface and dilute the sauce.

What can I use instead of tamarind in Tahu Bakar?

The entry for Tahu Bakar calls for 2 tbsp tamarind paste. In its place: Equal parts lime juice and brown sugar give the same sour-sweet effect. Pomegranate molasses also works where you have it.

Can I use a different firmness of tofu instead of tofu in Tahu Bakar?

Go firmer, not softer. Extra-firm stands in for firm anywhere; anything softer breaks up when it is fried or stirred. Press it for 15 minutes either way. As written, the entry for Tahu Bakar uses 28 oz firm tofu, drained and pressed.

Does Tahu Bakar contain peanuts?

Yes: 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter. The full allergen list for this entry is gluten, peanuts and soy. Where the peanuts are a garnish, toasted sunflower or pumpkin seeds give the same crunch. Packaged ingredients vary by brand, so check labels if the allergy is serious.

How many calories are in Tahu Bakar?

One serving (the recipe makes 4) is about 280 calories, with 16 g protein, 14 g carbohydrate and 19 g fat, plus 3 g fiber and 520 mg sodium.

Can I freeze Tahu Bakar?

It is not a good candidate. Refrigerate what is left of Tahu Bakar within two hours and eat it within three days. Reheat uncovered in a 400 F oven (or an air fryer) for a few minutes to bring the crust back; the microwave softens it.

Serve it with

Emping side
Rujak Buah salad
Sambal Terasi sauce
Es Cendol Coconut Pandan Dessert Drink drink

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