Pepes Tahu (Indonesian Steamed Tofu)

Ingredients

• 500 g firm tofu (mashed)
• 80 g shallots
• 40 g red chilies
• 4 garlic (cloves)
• 100 g oyster mushrooms (shredded)
• 2 tomatoes (medium, sliced)
• 6 bay leaves
• lemon basil (a handful)
• green onions or chives (a handful, sliced; use either green onions or chives)
• 0.75 tsp salt
• 0.5 tsp mushroom bouillon
• 0.25 tsp white pepper
• banana leaves (for wrapping)
• toothpicks (for securing the wraps; a stapler is also mentioned as an option in the audio)

Steps

1. 1

   Blend the shallots, red chilies, and garlic together into a spice paste.

2. 2

   Sauté the spice paste until fragrant, then set it aside.

3. 3

   In a large bowl, mash the tofu.

4. 4

   Add the shredded oyster mushrooms, sliced tomatoes, lemon basil, and sliced green onions or chives to the tofu.

5. 5

   Add the sautéed spice paste and mix everything together.

6. 6

   Add the salt, mushroom bouillon, and white pepper, then mix well.

7. 7

   Place a bay leaf and a scoop of the tofu mixture on a banana leaf. Roll the leaf tightly around the filling and secure it with a toothpick. The audio also suggests a stapler as an alternative fastener. If banana leaves are unavailable, the audio says the mixture can instead be placed in a bowl.

8. 8

   Steam the tofu parcels for 15 minutes over medium heat.

Notes

The mushroom mixture will release broth; remove it or leave it, as preferred. The source does not specify the amount of basil or green onion/chives, the amount of banana leaf needed, the sautéing oil, or a detailed alternative method for steaming the mixture in a bowl.

Nutrition per serving

• Indonesian
• vegetarian
• gluten-free
• steamed
• tofu
• savory
• plant-based