Savory Tofu and Shrimp Skewers with Hoisin Glaze
Delight your taste buds with these Savory Tofu and Shrimp Skewers, a delectable appetizer inspired by Hawaiian pupus. Each skewer is a perfect bite-sized combination of tender tofu and succulent shrimp, all coated in a luscious, sweet, and slightly spicy hoisin glaze. Ideal for parties, family gatherings, or a casual evening at home, these skewers can be enjoyed hot from the skillet or served cold on a platter with toothpicks for easy eating. Adjust the heat by decreasing the crushed red pepper flakes if you prefer milder flavors, making this dish a versatile option for all palates. This recipe serves approximately 4 to 6 people, ensuring there's enough to share—or not!
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
12
Ingredients
Ingredients
Hoisin Sauce
3 tablespoons (None)
Rice Vinegar
2 tablespoons (None)
Water
2 tablespoons (None)
Sugar
2 teaspoons (None)
Ground Ginger
1/2 teaspoon (None)
Cornstarch
1/2 teaspoon (None)
Crushed Red Pepper Flakes
1/8 teaspoon (None)
Vegetable Oil
2 tablespoons (Divided for cooking)
Tofu
14 ounces (Drained and cut into 1 inch cubes)
Medium Shrimp
1/2 lb (Shelled and deveined)
Garlic
1 clove (Minced)
Green Onions
6 (Cut into 1 inch lengths)
Instructions
1
In a mixing bowl, combine 3 tablespoons of hoisin sauce, 2 tablespoons of rice vinegar, 2 tablespoons of water, 2 teaspoons of sugar, 1/2 teaspoon of ground ginger, 1/2 teaspoon of cornstarch, and 1/8 teaspoon of crushed red pepper flakes. Whisk the ingredients until smooth and set the sauce aside.
2
Heat 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the 14 ounces of drained and cubed tofu. Stir-fry the tofu for about 2 minutes, or until it is lightly browned on all sides. Carefully remove the tofu from the skillet and set it aside on a plate.
3
Add another tablespoon of vegetable oil to the skillet. Stir-fry 1 minced clove of garlic and 1/2 pound of shelled and deveined medium shrimp for 2 minutes, stirring constantly to prevent sticking.
4
Once the shrimp is lightly cooked, add 6 chopped green onions and the prepared hoisin sauce mixture to the skillet. Cook while stirring until the sauce thickens and the shrimp turns a lovely pink, which should take about 3 minutes.
5
Gently fold the previously cooked tofu into the skillet, mixing everything carefully so the tofu cubes don't break apart. Ensure the tofu is coated well with the sauce.
6
Serve the tofu and shrimp mixture immediately on skewers or in a serving dish. Garnish as desired and enjoy!
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main flavor profile of these Savory Tofu and Shrimp Skewers?
The skewers feature a delectable combination of tender tofu and succulent shrimp coated in a luscious, sweet, and slightly spicy hoisin glaze.
How many people does this recipe serve?
This recipe serves approximately 4 to 6 people, making it an ideal size for sharing at parties or gatherings.
Can I adjust the spiciness of the dish?
Yes, you can easily adjust the heat by decreasing the amount of crushed red pepper flakes used in the sauce mixture.
What inspired this recipe?
These skewers are inspired by Hawaiian pupus, which are bite-sized appetizers often served at social gatherings.
How should the tofu be prepared before cooking?
The tofu should be drained and cut into 1-inch cubes to ensure even browning and the perfect bite size.
What size shrimp should be used for this recipe?
The recipe calls for 1/2 pound of medium shrimp that have been shelled and deveined.
Can these skewers be served cold?
Yes, they can be enjoyed hot directly from the skillet or served cold on a platter with toothpicks for easy eating.
What ingredients are in the hoisin glaze?
The glaze consists of hoisin sauce, rice vinegar, water, sugar, ground ginger, cornstarch, and crushed red pepper flakes.
How long does it take to cook the tofu?
The tofu should be stir-fried for about 2 minutes over medium-high heat until it is lightly browned on all sides.
What is the purpose of cornstarch in the sauce?
Cornstarch acts as a thickening agent, giving the hoisin glaze a luscious consistency that coats the tofu and shrimp perfectly.
When do I add the green onions?
Add the chopped green onions to the skillet once the shrimp is lightly cooked, along with the hoisin sauce mixture.
How do I prevent the tofu from breaking apart?
Gently fold the cooked tofu into the skillet at the very end of the cooking process, mixing carefully to maintain the cube shapes.
How do I know when the shrimp is fully cooked?
The shrimp is done when it turns a lovely pink color and the sauce has thickened, which takes about 3 minutes after adding the glaze.
How should the green onions be cut?
The green onions should be cut into 1-inch lengths before being added to the stir-fry.
Is vegetable oil the only oil I can use?
While the recipe specifies vegetable oil, any neutral oil with a high smoke point can be used for stir-frying the tofu and shrimp.
How many green onions are required for the recipe?
The recipe requires 6 green onions.
What type of vinegar is used in the glaze?
Rice vinegar is used to provide a mild acidity that balances the sweetness of the hoisin sauce.
Should the garlic be minced or sliced?
The recipe calls for 1 clove of garlic to be minced before being added to the skillet.
How much tofu is needed?
You will need 14 ounces of tofu for this recipe.
Can I serve this in a bowl instead of on skewers?
Yes, the mixture can be served immediately in a serving dish or on skewers depending on your preference.
What should I do with the tofu after browning it?
Carefully remove the browned tofu from the skillet and set it aside on a plate while you cook the shrimp.
How much hoisin sauce is used?
The glaze requires 3 tablespoons of hoisin sauce.
What is the heat setting for the skillet?
A large skillet should be heated over medium-high heat.
Can I use fresh ginger instead of ground ginger?
While the recipe specifies 1/2 teaspoon of ground ginger, you could use freshly grated ginger for a more intense flavor profile.
How much sugar is in the sauce?
The recipe uses 2 teaspoons of sugar.
What is the total cooking time for the shrimp?
The shrimp is stir-fried for 2 minutes initially and then cooked for another 3 minutes with the sauce, totaling 5 minutes.
Do I need to whisk the sauce before cooking?
Yes, you should whisk the sauce ingredients until smooth before setting it aside to ensure the cornstarch is fully incorporated.
Is this dish suitable for party food?
Absolutely! These skewers are bite-sized, flavorful, and easy to eat, making them perfect for parties and social gatherings.
What should the texture of the tofu be?
The tofu should be tender on the inside with a light brown, slightly crisp exterior from the stir-frying.
How much water is added to the sauce?
The sauce mixture includes 2 tablespoons of water.