Tahu goreng (tofu salad with tangy peanut sauce)

A classic hawker dish, fried tofu salad is popular all over Malaysia and Singapore. The sauce varies from stall to stall, but sourness from tamarind should be one of the defining flavours, cutting through the blandness of the tofu. Even if you're not a tofu fan, give this dish a try - you might just be converted!

Recipe

1 tsp oil
1/2 onion, finely diced or minced
2 tsp minced garlic
1-2 tsp minced chillies (or sambal olek)
1/2 tsp shrimp paste
2 tsp soy sauce
2 tbsp tomato ketchup
2 tbsp peanut butter
1 tbsp tamarind puree

deep fried tofu
cucumber, julienned
beansprouts
spring onions, shredded (if desired)
fresh coriander leaves to garnish (if desired)

To make the sauce, heat the oil and saute the onion until softened, about 3-4 minutes. Add the garlic, chillies,and shrimp paste, and cook another 2 minutes. Add the soy sauce, ketchup, peanut butter and tamarind, plus a good splash of water. Simmer for a couple of minutes until thickened and glossy.

You can either deep fry your own fresh tofu (buy the firm kind, cut into large cubes and pat dry. Deep fry until golden brown all over, then drain on kitchen paper, and cut into slices or small cubes) or buy pre-fried cubes of tofu, warm gently in the oven or in a shallow fry pan, and cut into slices or small cubes.

Plate up the tofu with the fresh vegetables, and drizzle with plenty of sauce.

This can be served with the tofu and sauce still slightly warm, or left to cool completely.

Serves: The sauce will make enough for 3-4 salads
Preparation and cooking time: 10 minutes

Want more tasty tofu dishes? Try:
Japanese fishball noodle soup with seasoned tofu
Mee rebus (noodles in sweet potato sauce)

Looking for more outstanding Malaysian foods? Try:
Satay celup (hot pot with peanut sauce from Melaka)
Ayam rendang (chicken rendang)