Tofu On Stilts Dengaku Recipes

TOFU DENGAKU

Steps:

• Bring 1 1/2 tablespoons sake just to boil in small saucepan. Remove from heat. Mix in white miso and 1 teaspoon sugar. Mix in yuzu and shiso, if desired. Set white miso sauce aside.
• Bring remaining 1 1/2 tablespoons sake just to boil in another small saucepan. Remove from heat. Mix in red miso and remaining 6 teaspoons sugar. Set red miso sauce aside.
• Combine 4 cups water and dashi-kombu in medium saucepan. Bring just to simmer over high heat, then immediately remove broth from heat (to prevent dashi-kombu from becoming bitter). Add bonito; let stand until bonito settles at bottom of pan, about 20 minutes.
• Strain broth into large saucepan. Mix in soy sauce and mirin. Bring to boil. Reduce heat and simmer 10 minutes to blend flavors. Set broth aside.
• Line large rimmed baking sheet with foil. Cut tofu into 2 x 1 x 1/2-inch rectangles. Add tofu rectangles to broth and simmer over medium-low heat 10 minutes to flavor tofu. Using slotted spoon, carefully remove tofu rectangles and place on prepared baking sheet. Cool tofu. DO AHEAD: Sauces and tofu can be made 2 hours ahead. Let stand at room temperature.
• Preheat broiler. Starting at 1 short end of tofu, insert skewer through center, extending to opposite short end. Repeat with remaining tofu and skewers. Brush half of tofu pieces (top only) with red miso mixture. Brush remaining tofu pieces (top only) with white miso mixture. Place sheet of foil over exposed portion of skewers to prevent burning. Broil tofu 6 to 8 inches from heat source until golden brown and charred in spots, watching closely, 2 to 4 minutes. Remove foil. Transfer skewers to platter. Sprinkle with sesame seeds.

BROILED TOFU WITH MISO (TOFU DENGAKU)

Steps:

• Pat tofu dry with paper towels, then wrap in fresh paper towels and put in a microwave-safe dish (see cooks' note, below). Microwave at high power 30 seconds. Pour off any liquid and wrap tofu in fresh paper towels. Microwave 1 or 2 more times for 30 seconds each time, pouring off any liquid, until tofu feels firmer.
• Preheat broiler.
• Stir together miso, sugar, and sake in a small saucepan. (If miso mixture is very thick, stir in 1 tablespoon water.) Cook over medium-high heat, stirring, until bubbling, glossy, and the consistency of ketchup, 1 to 3 minutes.
• Cut tofu in half horizontally and arrange, cut sides up, on a cutting board. Cut each half into 6 squares (pieces might not be perfectly square).
• Arrange tofu on a foil-lined broiler pan, cut sides up, and broil about 2 inches from heat until a crust just forms, 1 to 2 minutes. Remove from oven and spread crusted side of each square with about 3/4 teaspoon miso mixture. Broil until tops are just bubbling and starting to color, 1 to 2 minutes. Transfer to a plate. Skewer each square with 1 two-pronged pick or 2 parallel straight picks. Sprinkle with seeds.

BEAN CURD DENGAKU WITH MISO TOPPINGS

Steps:

• Make white and red miso toppings: Put 3/4 cup white miso in top of a double boiler; put 3 tablespoon white miso and red miso in top of a separate double boiler. Add half of yolks, sake, mirin and sugar to each and blend well. Place both tops over simmering water and gradually blend half of dashi into each miso mixture, stirring until thick. Add choice of one of the fragrant seasonings to each topping. Cool toppings to room temperature.
• Wrap tofu cakes in towels, weight with a dinner plate and let stand 1 hour to press out water. Prepare a charcoal fire, or alternatively heat a stovetop grill or broiler. Cut cakes into 3/8 by 3/4 by 2-inch pieces. Cut green pepper into same size strips. Skewer each piece of tofu on double-pronged "pine needle" skewers, or use 2 bamboo skewers. Skewer green pepper the same way. Grill tofu and pepper skewers for 3 minutes per side.
• Spread one side of green pepper with white miso topping and sprinkle with choice of garnish. Spread tofu with red miso topping and sprinkle with choice of garnish. Return skewers to grill, miso-topped side down, and grill for 1 to 2 minutes, until heated through. Skewers can also be made with choice of other vegetables, meat or fish, such as eggplant, large mushrooms,

TOFU ON STILTS / DENGAKU

Steps:

• 1. Rinse the tofu under cold running water and drain. Place a cutting board on a slight incline in the sink. Place the tofu on the cutting board and put a heavy plate or pot lid on top of it to press out the excess liquid. This will take about 30 minutes.2. If desired, set up the grill for grateless grilling. Preheat the grill to high.3. Combine the miso, mirin, sake, sugar, and mayonnaise in the top of a double boiler and whisk until smooth. Cook the sauce over gently simmering water until thick and creamy, about 3 minutes.4. Cut each piece of tofu horizontally in half, then cut each of the resultant pieces in half crosswise. Push 2 skewers through each piece of tofu, starting at one narrow end.5. When ready to cook, arrange the tofu on the grill as described in the grateless method or oil the grill grate and arrange the tofu directly on it. Grill, turning with a spatula, until lightly browned on each side, 3 to 4 minutes per side. Brush with miso glaze as the tofu cooks. Sprinkle with sesame seeds and serve immediately.Serves 4

MISO-GLAZED TOFU ON STILTS (DENGAKU)

Steps:

• Rinse the tofu and press for 1 hour. (To press the tofu, place it on a gently sloping cutting board in the sink. Place a heavy plate on top of it and let stand for 1 hour. The weight of the plate will press out the excess liquid and firm up the tofu.).
• Prepare the miso glaze. Combine the miso, mirin, sake, sugar, and mayonnaise in the top of a double boiler and whisk until smooth. Cook the sauce over the double boiler until thick and creamy, about 3 minutes.
• Cut each block of tofu through the short side to obtain 2 broad thin rectangles. Cut each rectangle in half widthwise. Stick two skewers through the narrow end of each piece of tofu. Preheat the grill to high.
• Grill the tofu on each side until lightly browned, turning once, 3 to 4 minutes per side, brushing with miso glaze. Sprinkle with sesame seeds and serve immediately.

GRILLED TOFU ON A STICK (TOFU DENGAKU)

Steps:

• Put miso, mirin, sugar and dashi in a pan and cook, stirring constantly , over low heat until sugar dissolves. Add egg yolk and mix well until glossy. Remove from heat.
• Cut tofu into 8 blocks (small popsicle shapes). In a 12" frying pan, heat oil on medium high. Add tofu and sauté, turning carefully so the blocks don't break, until medium brown.
• Spread miso on one side of the tofu (a pastry brush will do the job.).
• Skewer each piece of tofu with a skewer or wooden stick about 3-1/2 inches long and strong enough to hold up the tofu. A double pronged stick works well.
• Arrange on a plate and serve.