You know what I haven’t done in a long time? Experiment with the roasted tofu recipe. This would be #6 – roasted tofu cubes in a Coke-a-Cola and leek sauce. You’re unlikely to see this cooked-with-cola dish at any Chinese restaurant as it’s a home kitchen kind of a thing. Normally made with chicken wings, I subbed in tofu and added leeks.
I don’t know the exact origin, but I picture a cook long ago with a soda bottle saying “Hey, let’s add some of this stuff to the sauce and see what happens!” I imagine it’s the same way Coke got added to sauce for BBQ (but said in English).
You don’t actually taste the cola in the finished dish but it does add a subtle flavor and sweetness. You have to use Mexican Coke since that has sugar in it instead of the high fructose corn syrup in American Coke. Mexican Pepsi works too. I even tried Zevia, a natural cola soda with Stevia.
Like all of the previous roasted tofu recipes, it’s fairly easy to make. Basically, roast the tofu and make the sauce. The only difference is the tofu blocks in the store nowadays are 14 instead of 16 ounces. Anyone else noticed that?
Chinese Coke-a-Cola Tofu
Serves 2
1 14-ounce block of extra-firm tofu
1 teaspoon olive oil
1/2 teaspoon sea salt
1/4 teaspoon paprika
Sauce
1/2 medium leek, white and some green part, chopped
2 tablespoons soy sauce
1 tablespoon Shaoxing rice wine
6 tablespoons Coca-Cola
1 tablespoon oil
Sprig of cilantro for garnish (optional)
Preheat the oven to 450 degrees. In a bowl, combine the oil, salt and paprika. Cut the tofu into cubes and gently toss to coat with the mixture. Place each tofu cube in a single layer on a baking sheet lined with parchment. Roast for 15 minutes, flip over and roast the other side for 15 minutes.
While the tofu is roasting, prepare the sauce. Combine all of the sauce ingredients except the leeks in a bowl.
Heat a wok to hot, add the oil. Swirl the oil to coat the wok. When the oil is hot, add the leeks, stir-fry for a minute or so. Add the rest of the sauce ingredients. Reduce the heat to low and simmer until the tofu is ready.
Add the tofu pieces, stir to coat well. Cover with a lid and cook down until the sauce is thickened (there shouldn’t be very much liquid left), about 5 minutes on medium-low.
Garnish with the cilantro if using. Serve with steamed rice.
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Roasted Tofu Cubes From Vegan Soul Kitchen
So, why exactly does one “have to use Mexican Coke”? Does HFCS Coke not work in the recipe, or are you just speaking from the common (but not well substantiated) fear of the stuff?
What will you Americans think of next…cola tofu!? I cannot imagine it but…before I’d tried chocolate in my chili and mole sauce I’d never considered that either. I also have to confess for having a current obsession with eating my onion bread with tahini and orange jam. Thanks for thinking outside of the box! When I come back to the US I shall try the Zevia recipe (the ginger one would be lovely).
p.s please add a twitter button so it’s easier to tweet your fab recipes x
Mexican coke uses NATURAL sugars. If you are not afraid of High-frustose corn syrup regular coke can be used.
This recipe is great. I know ALL about Mexican coke. Thanks for the recipe. I have not had tofu since I have gotten pregnant. Strong aversion to it right now. So strange, but I plan on making this after the baby is born! :D
Colinski – You could use high fructose corn syrup soda if you want, I’ve never tried it. Mexican Coke is basically water and sugar, things I actually have in my kitchen. I don’t have a bottle of HFCS…
India-leigh – It’s funny how some combinations sound weird but actually taste good. I’ll look into adding a twitter button for you. :-)
Noelle – Thanks! Bummer on your current tofu aversion, but at least it’s not forever. :-)
This is awesome, so much fun! I’ve been waiting for someone to play around with a vegan cola main dish, and you’ve satisfied my craving. Now, I’m dying to tweak this and try it with root beer soda instead… I’ll get back to you on that. ;)
I’ll have to look for some zevia since I think it will be easier to find than Mexican coke. The recipe made me fondly remember my aunt, who used to make Swedish meatballs with 7-up and ketchup! They were surprisingly tasty, so I have no doubt coked-up tofu will be yummy.
Yum. I’m totally making this.
I noticed that tofu blocks often come in 14-oz packages now, too. But maybe the size of the block varies by firmness or brand…
This tofu looks gooood. I’m all about sweet-savory flavor combos.
Sounds delicious! We made a bbq sauce just the other day with Coke (Coke Zero, actually, which was kind of scary) and it turned out great.
Darnit, you beat me to it! I’ve been putting this dish on the backburner for four years now :) Looks great and good to know that it can work with tofu!
My Korean American friend who is a restaurant cook in a Japanese restaurant first told me about adding coke (and other soft drinks) to his meat marinades. Don’t know if the carbonation does anything (maybe acts as a meat tenderizer?), but I think it’s mostly the sweetness, and maybe the “caramel” flavor it adds.
Looks great with tofu!
Sounds interesting. I’ve heard of cola based BBQ sauces, but never anything even remotely Chinese in style.
YUM! Coca cola in tofu? I must try! And your picture alone with that glaze all over it is making me HUNGRY!!!!!
I just discovered your blog today and love it! I’ll be trying several recipes!
Kosher for Passover Coke, which is only available around Passover, is also made with real sugar, since corn is not kosher for Passover.
This recipe looks good! I will have to try it soon!
Hey Chow,
do you know if rice wine could be clarified with gelatine or is that absolutely uncommon. I once mad a product inquiry (do you say that?) but inever received an answer.
Greetings from Hamburg-St. Pauli, Germany
Lutz
Laubfresser – Sorry, I have no idea about the rice wine. Maybe try searching the web since you never received an answer? :-)
Sounds appetizing.
hi, i’m mostly a lurker… but i just had to tell you that there is a coca-cola herb plant that i just happen to have growing in my garden this year. now i know what to do with it! it’s growing like mad, so if you’d like me to dry and send you some, let me know.