Meet Alex Caspero
Alex Caspero is a Registered Dietitian, New York Times Bestselling Plant-Based Chef and mom of two. She aims to cut through the nutrition noise by providing real-life, nourishing tips for body and mind. Learn more about Alex.
Everything I know about Korean food, I’ve learned from Bon Appetit. On second thought, that’s true for most exotic food. If it’s not Italian, then I’ve been taught by Bon Appetit, Food Network, eating or some combination of all three.
My intense love for Mexican food? Crafted by years of eating at every taco truck and taqueria in Northern California (or at least if feels that way). Isa taught me how to prepare tofu, make cashew cream and love tempeh. And my monthly subscription to Bon Appetit opened a door into the Asian world: one filled with different types of dark soy sauce, fermented black beans, daikon radish and now, gochujang sauce.
For this month’s Recipe Redux, we were challenged to cook with a new-to-us ingredient, one that we haven’t used before. Perfect timing! I went a little crazy at the international market last month and am now the proud owner of four kinds of thai chilis, two hot curry powders, green tea soba noodles and gochujang- the Korean pepper sauce I’d been hearing so much about.
In my limited research, I knew that gochujang was a funky, spicy, slightly sweet paste with lots of umami undertones. If miso and Sriracha had a baby, it would be gochujang. At least that’s the way it seems to my limited taste buds. As a vegetarian living in the midwest, I haven’t exactly been exposed to much Korean food. But I know flavor when I taste it, and my gochujang sauce was loaded with it.
I’m playing fast and loose with the Korean taco title, so please excuse my limited knowledge of actual Korean cuisine. In the same way I call anything with salsa Mexican or kalamata olives, Mediterranean; my food is delicious though not always politically correct.
Whatever you call these tacos, know that they are highly addicting. I ended up eating two while I was photographing them and then another a few hours later. The gochujang tofu is the star, caramelized in just enough spice to warrant the giant pile on of a quick cabbage slaw. Yes, the tofu takes a little more time to prepare than other methods but it’s worth it. Baking, marinating and then sautéing creates seared tofu nuggets that burst with flavor.
The best part!? You don’t have to be a regular at an Asian food mart or International grocery store to get your hands on the unique sauce! When I spied a bottle of it at Walmart the other day, I knew this trend had gone mainstream. If gochujang sauce has now found it’s way to wally-world in St. Louis, you know this is bigger than a Bon Appetit cult darling.
What new ingredients are you loving!? Enjoy more recipes from fellow #reduxers below!
If you try this recipe, let me know! Leave a comment, rate it, and tag your Instagram photos with #delishknowledge . I absolutely love seeing your creations. Happy cooking!
PrintKorean Tofu Tacos! Crispy, Spicy tofu with a refreshing, cooling slaw. Must try this vegan dinner recipe!
Marinade:
Slaw:
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(21 comments) leave a comment
A new favorite. Pretty easy to make and leftover tofu was great with a salad.
★★★★★
So glad you liked it!
This looks great & I know I saw Korean paste on various 2016 food prediction trend lists – thanks for sharing!
This looks great & I know I saw Korean paste on various 2016 food prediction trend lists – thanks for sharing!
(A) I love your header logo! (B) We love tofu tacos and I can’t wait to give these a try in our weekly rotation
Oh these look wonderful! I have not made tofu in ages….this sounds so good, I must give it a try. xo, Catherine
These look so good! Thanks for an excuse to hit up one of the Asian markets in town this weekend. 😉
Thanks Debbie! Yes- I love Asian markets, I can find the best stuff there! 🙂 Enjoy!
If I can find that sauce in the closest Wal-Mart (VT /NH) border, total hicksville, then that will really be something! I’m always searching around for new tofu marinating ideas – this sounds awesome :-).
Ooooh, I’m always looking for new ways to dress up my tofu. This looks so delicious! Thank you for sharing!
Thanks Elana! Whatever marinade you use- this is my favorite way of preparing tofu. It’s crispy, a little creamy and packed with flavor!
O wow! I need to get that sauce!
O wow! I need to get that sauce!