Lime Leaf Tofu + Hispi Curry
Time to show tofu the respect it deserves, Farmer J style. Our Lime Leaf Curry Tofu is bold, fragrant, and packed with flavour—a proper Farmer J classic. Toss in some tender Hispi cabbage, and you’ve got a dish that’s warming, hearty, and perfect for those nights when only proper comfort food will do.
Serves 4
Forkin’ Easy
Ingredients
For the Tofu & Cabbage Base:
- Tofu – 1 block (firm or extra-firm), cut into bite-sized cubes and pressed
- Hispi cabbage – 1 small head, coarsely chopped to create a bed in the skillet
- Marinade – Tofu cubes marinated in lime leaf curry
Garnish:
- Fresh parsley, chopped
- Spring onion, finely sliced
- White and black sesame seeds, for sprinkling
Lime Leaf Curry Marinade:
- 1 or 2, Fresh Red Chilli, finely chopped
- 1 cm piece, Fresh Ginger, roughly chopped
- 1 cm piece, Fresh Turmeric, roughly chopped
- 35 g, Brown Sugar (muscovado)
- 35 g, Tomato paste
- 2–3 leaves, Fresh Lime Leaves, finely chopped
- ¼ teaspoon, Chilli flakes
- 25 g, Fresh Lime Juice
- 1 or 2 cloves, Fresh Garlic, crushed
- 50 g, Soy sauce
- 100 g, Avocado oil, for emulsification
- 200–250 g, Coconut milk, added at the end of blending for creaminess
Method
Prepare the Lime Leaf Curry Marinade:
- In a food processor, combine all the ingredients except the avocado oil and coconut milk: fresh red chili, lime juice, chili flakes, fresh lime leaves, tomato paste, brown sugar, roughly chopped fresh ginger and turmeric, fresh garlic, and soy sauce.
- Blend until smooth.
- While blending, slowly drizzle in the avocado oil to create a creamy emulsion.
- Once emulsified, add the coconut milk and blend for an additional minute until well combined.
Marinate the Tofu:
- Pat the tofu dry with paper towels, then cut it into bite-sized cubes.
- In a bowl, gently toss the tofu cubes with the lime leaf curry marinade, ensuring all pieces are evenly coated.
- Let the tofu marinate for at least 30 minutes, or up to 2 hours for a more intense flavor.
Pre-Roast the Tofu:
- Preheat your oven to 220°C.
- Arrange the marinated tofu cubes on a baking sheet, reserving some of the marinade for later use.
- Roast the tofu in the preheated oven for 15 minutes to allow it to firm up and absorb the flavors.
Prepare the Cast Iron Skillet with Hispi Cabbage:
- While the tofu is roasting, chop the Hispi cabbage coarsely and arrange it evenly across the base of a cast iron skillet.
Combine and Final Roast:
- After the tofu has pre-roasted, transfer the tofu cubes onto the bed of Hispi cabbage in the skillet.
- Pour the reserved lime leaf curry marinade over both the tofu and cabbage for extra flavor.
- Return the skillet to the oven and roast for an additional 15–20 minutes, until the cabbage is tender and slightly caramelized, and the tofu is golden.
Garnish and Serve:
- Once everything is cooked and golden, remove the skillet from the oven.
- Garnish with freshly chopped parsley, sliced spring onion, and a sprinkle of white and black sesame seeds.
- Serve directly from the skillet, enjoying the rich and aromatic flavors of this dish.