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Pidan tofu (century egg tofu)
Silken tofu with century egg
Pidan doufu 皮蛋豆腐: chilled silken tofu with century egg, soy, sesame oil and spring onion
This cold plate is a summer standby in homes from Shanghai to Taipei and turns up in nearly every Sichuan and Hunan restaurant as a starter: a block of chilled silken tofu, chopped century egg with its amber white and creamy dark-green yolk, and a sharp dressing of soy, black vinegar and sesame oil. It is cool, silky and deeply savoury, and takes ten minutes. Eat it before a meal or with rice and porridge. Buy century eggs from a shop that sells them labelled lead-free; they are fully preserved and need no cooking. The mistake to avoid is skipping the drain, because water seeping out of the tofu dilutes the dressing into a puddle. Chef's tip: chill the eggs before peeling and cut them with a knife dipped in water, or with thread, so the soft yolk doesn't smear.
- Total time
- 10 min
- Difficulty
- easy
- Serves
- 3
Ingredients
- 10 ½ oz silken tofuchilled
- 2 century eggs (pidan)lead-free, chilled
For the dressing
- 1 ½ tbsp light soy sauce
- 1 tsp Chinese black vinegar
- ½ tsp sugar
- 1 tsp toasted sesame oil
- 1 clove garlic (optional)grated
- 1 tsp chilli oil (optional)
- 1 spring onionfinely chopped
- 1 handful coriander (optional)chopped
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Method
0/4 doneStep 1: Carefully turn 10 ½ oz silken tofu out onto a plate. Tilt the plate and let the water run off, then dab around it with kitchen paper. Leave for 5 minutes and drain again.
Step 2: Peel 2 century eggs (pidan) under cold water and rinse them. Cut each into 8 wedges, or chop roughly.
Step 3: Stir 1 ½ tbsp light soy sauce, 1 tsp Chinese black vinegar, ½ tsp sugar, 1 tsp toasted sesame oil and 1 clove garlic if using in a small bowl until the sugar dissolves.
Step 4: Cut the tofu into thick slices or large cubes, pile the egg on top and spoon over the dressing. Finish with 1 tsp chilli oil if you like heat, 1 spring onion and 1 handful coriander. Serve straight away, cold.
Nutrition per serving
- Calories
- 150 kcal
- Protein
- 11 g
- Carbs
- 4 g
- Fat
- 10 g
- Fibre
- 0 g
Nutrition values are estimates.
KrazyBadal
Good to know
- How long does pidan tofu (century egg tofu) take?
- About 10 minutes in total.
- How many people does it serve?
- 3 as written. Change the servings above the ingredients and every amount scales to match.
- Is it vegetarian?
- Yes. It has no meat or fish.
- What can I use instead of century eggs (pidan)?
- 1 tbsp ground flaxseed + 3 tbsp water per egg, left for 5 minutes (baking only; vegan).
- What can I use instead of light soy sauce?
- Tamari, same amount (gluten free).
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