This is a very comforting, home-style dish, perfect for a blustery autumn day. Be sure to use only firm tofu for this recipe; softer varieties will fall apart during cooking. The trio of cultivated shiitake, enoki, and shimeji mushrooms is a classic combination in Japanese cooking, and it adds a nice woodsy and earthy flavor to this dish. You can use other kinds of mushrooms, too, if you’d like, everything from the humble button mushroom to fancier porcinis or chanterelles—whatever your budget allows.
Recipe information
Yield
serves 4
Ingredients
Broth
Tofu
Preparation
Step 1
To make the broth, combine the mirin, dashi, soy sauce, and salt in a small saucepan over medium heat. In a bowl, whisk together the cornstarch and water. Bring the broth just to a boil, then slowly whisk in the cornstarch mixture until the broth thickens slightly. Remove from the heat and set aside. (Note: The broth can be made up to 1 day in advance and stored in the refrigerator; reheat when ready to use.)
Step 2
To prepare the tofu, heat an 11-inch nonstick sauté pan over medium heat. Add 1 tablespoon of the sesame oil. Lightly dredge the tofu pieces in the cornstarch and place in the hot pan. Cook until golden brown, 2 1/2 to 3 minutes per side. Remove from the pan.
Step 3
Using the same pan, add the remaining 1 tablespoon sesame oil, then the celery, red onion, carrot, shiitake mushrooms, shimeji mushrooms, and enoki mushrooms. Cook over high heat until the vegetables become soft, about 2 minutes, then add half the broth and cook for 30 seconds longer. Remove from the heat.
Step 4
Set each piece of tofu in a shallow bowl and top with one-fourth of the cooked vegetables. Pour equal parts of the remaining broth into each bowl and garnish with the scallion and obha leaves.
