Age Dashi (pronounced Ahgey Dahshee) tofu is a common Japanese appetizer of fried tofu in a bonito fish broth (dashi). Although vegans and vegetarians cannot eat this, it is possible to create this dish without fish by using sea vegetables such as nori and wakame to create a delicious oceanic flavour.
1 package firm tofu
1 sheet nori
¼ cup dried wakame
2 tablespoons soy sauce
2 tablespoons sesame oil
2 tablespoons brown sugar
pinch of black pepper
2 cloves garlic, chopped
1 tablespoon fresh ginger, chopped
corn starch or rice flour, for breading
oil for frying
Soak wakame in cold water for at least half an hour, so that it rehydrates. Remove from water and chop into small pieces.
Sauce:
In a small bowl mix together, chopped wakame, soy sauce, sesame oil, sugar, pepper, garlic, ginger and 1 sheet of crushed nori. Stir and set aside.
Cut the tofu into small cubes, or finger sized pieces, and lightly dust with either corn starch, or rice flour. Heat a small amount of oil in a frying pan, and cook each side of the tofu until golden brown and crisp. Remove from heat and place the tofu on paper towels to absorb extra oil.
Serve over bean spouts, rice, or have it just plain, by stacking the tofu, and drizzling the sauce over top.
Sounds good, but I was hoping for a broth like the real version. This will be very tasty too, but maybe not a as replacement of Agedashi tofu.
I voted. I have an article called Veganism and Capitalism, and you can vote if you want.
The sauce tastes like fish broth from the wakame and nori, but is not smokey like dashi. You can add a small amount of miso paste, just make sure it isn't too salty.
Vote #5! I am assuming that a specialty store would carry the sea vegetables in the U.S.. Sounds yummy! Thanks for posting recipes for vegan meat substitutes!
Thanks, Carolyn! yes, I'm sure that a specialty store would carry wakame and nori. I have also seen it at larger stores, like safeway and wholefoods. It is cheapest though at Asian grocery stores.
The sauce tastes like fish broth from the wakame and nori, but is not smokey like dashi. You can add a small amount of miso paste, just make sure it isn't too salty.
Vote #5! I am assuming that a specialty store would carry the sea vegetables in the U.S.. Sounds yummy! Thanks for posting recipes for vegan meat substitutes!
I don't know what Nori and Wakane is..but I will surely swap the ingredients with something else to try!
Voted. I love the title, and it sounds scrumptious!
Sounds great and really healthy! Voted. Check out my falafel post and vote if you like:)
