Homemade plum sauce makes vegan grilled tofu even better

When you start making this plum sauce at home, you will never buy it again because not only is it easy to do, it is also finger-licking good.

I may not be a big eater of tofu but with this recipe, pairing it with the homemade plum sauce, that might actually change. I never expected to sit down and enjoy a whole big plate of tofu while I scrape off the remnants of the sauce from the plate. I have to say that they go very well together, because the tofu has a subdued taste while the sauce has a strong sweet, sour and salty combination of flavors. Plum sauces are easy to find bottled in Asian stores but since making this sauce is quite easy, it will be a mainstay in my kitchen.

Grilled tofu with homemade plum sauce recipe

Tofu can be considered ho-hum, so it always helps to pair it with something that amps up the flavor. This homemade plum sauce, adapted from the Chinese sweet and sour plum sauces that you usually have at restaurants, pairs so well with grilled tofu.

Serves 4 (Yields 2 cups sauce)

Prep time: 10 minutes | Cook time: 20 minutes | Total time: 30 minutes

Ingredients:

• 9 plums, seeded and quartered
• 4 tablespoons brown sugar
• 3 tablespoons wine or cider vinegar
• 1 medium red onion, minced
• 1 teaspoon grated ginger
• 1 clove garlic, crushed
• 1 teaspoon Sriracha sauce
• 3/4 cup water
• 14 ounces firm tofu, cubed
• Sesame seeds (optional)

Directions:

1. Over medium heat, in a medium saucepan, mix the plums, sugar, vinegar, onion, ginger, garlic, Sriracha and water.
2. When it boils, simmer on low heat for 20 minutes or until it thickens. Stir often to avoid burning. Set aside.
3. Over medium heat, on a hot griddle, grill the tofu.
4. When the tofu cubes are cooked, sprinkle them with the sesame seeds, if using, and then serve with the plum sauce.

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Tofu “egg” salad recipe
Spicy lemongrass tofu recipe