Soft Tofu Soups Offer Something For Everyone
Tofu is a key ingredient in many soups, especially those of Asian origin. It is not uncommon to peer down into your soup bowl in a Chinese or Thai restaurant and see small chunks of tofu floating around. However, soft tofu has a place in soup as well, and can be the staple of many delicious creamy soup recipes.
A Restaurant-Worthy Delight
To make a delicious soft tofu soup worthy of being served in restaurants, you will need the following ingredients: 5 packs soft tofu, 10 oysters, 10 shrimps, 15 hard shell clams, 5-7 white mushrooms, ½ sliced onion, 1 tbl sesame oil, 3 tbl red pepper oil, 2 tbl chili powder, 3 minced garlic cloves, 3 stalks chopped scallions, salt, and 1 tbl water.
Begin by preparing the seafood and setting the clams, shrimp, and oysters aside. Cut the vegetables and set those aside as well. Next, mix the seasonings and set those aside in another separate bowl. Glaze a pot with sesame oil over high heat and caramelize the onion. Add the soft tofu. As the tofu cooks, it will spit out water and create a sort of liquid.
Add the vegetables and the seafood to the pot, and then add the rest of the seasonings. Close the lid of the pot and allow it to cook over medium heat for 10 minutes. Every once in a while, stir the mixture to ensure that the soft tofu soup is well blended. For a special touch, add a raw egg to the soup just prior to serving it.
A Silky Variation
For a variation on soft tofu soups, you might try using soft silken tofu instead of soft regular tofu. Silken tofu does not hold up when being stir fried or baked; however, it makes for a lighter version of your favorite soups. Silken tofu with a few finely chopped vegetables can make for a great soup.
If you do decide to make soup using regular soft tofu instead of soft silken tofu, try adding a bit of milk to reduce the thickness. How thick or creamy your soft tofu soup is really depends on your personal preferences.
Just The Way You Like It
Between the many different types of tofu—regular and silken—and the different textures—firm and soft—and the different soup styles—classic and classy—there is bound to be a recipe for tofu soup that is just the way you like it.
