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Shira-ae (tofu & Sesame Seed Dressing With Ve

A home-style Shira-ae (tofu & Sesame Seed Dressing With Ve made with Salt, Vegetable Oil, Sugar, and All Purpose Soy Sauce. Save it, add the ingredients to your shopping list, and cook it tonight.

Illustrative photo

Ingredients

• 1 tsp
• 1 tsp
• 4 tsp
• 1/4 tsp

Method (preview)

1. 1

   Bring 1 c water to a boil in a small pot & drop in the shredded konnyaku.

2. 2

   Return to the boil, then drain immediately & cool to room temperature.

3. 3

   Bring another cup of water to a boil & drop in the tofu.

4. 4

   Simmer uncovered over moderate heat for 5 minutes, drain, & cool to room temperature.

5. 5

   Wrap the tofu in a kitchen towel or napkin & squeeze it gently to rid it of its moisture.

6. 6

   Drain, squeeze dry & set aside.

7. 7

   In a small pot heat 1 ts vegetable oil over high heat until a light haze forms above it.

8. 8

   Stir in the konnyaku, kashi, 1 ts of sugar, the remaining salt & 1/8 ts soy sauce.

9. 9

   Bring to a boil & simmer, uncovered until the liquid has reduced by half.

10. 10

    Cool to room temperature.

11. 11

    Heat a small frying pan over high heat until a drop of water flicked across its surface evaporates instantly.

12. 12

    Add the sesame &, shaking the pan almost constantly, warm them until they are a pale gold & their aroma is released.

13. 13

    Bring to a paste in a suribachi (serrated mixing bowl) or, more easily, pulverize them at high speed in an electric blender with 1/8 ts of soy sauce.

14. 14

    Transfer the sesame seed paste to a mixing bowl & stir in the reserved tofu.

15. 15

    Drain the konnyaku and its sauce through a sieve set over a small bowl.

16. 16

    Stir 2 tbs of the sauce into the sesame seed paste.

17. 17

    Stir in 1 tb sugar, 1/4 ts salt, the drained konnyaku, & the reserved grated carrot.

18. 18

    Serve as a first course or part of a Japanese meal.