Okra, Shrimp Paste,
Tofu Soup
A light and healthy soup featuring tender tofu, savory shrimp paste, and fresh okra. Its naturally thickened broth makes it a perfect, low-fat meal choice.
This okra, shrimp paste, and tofu soup is a wonderful example of simple, balanced cooking that highlights fresh ingredients. The okra provides a unique, naturally thickened texture to the broth without the need for extra fats, while the shrimp paste offers a savory, oceanic depth that pairs beautifully with the mild, tender tofu. It is a light and nutritious dish that is both easy to prepare and deeply satisfying, making it an excellent choice for a healthy weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
- 200 g fresh okra
- 300 g soft tofu
- 150 g shrimp paste
- 1 tbsp cooking oil
- 500 ml water
- to taste salt
- to taste white pepper
Instructions
- 1Prepare the okra
Begin by removing the stems from the okra, then slice them into small, angled sections on a cutting board to prepare them for the soup.
Tip: Slicing the okra into smaller pieces helps release its natural mucilage, which will thicken the soup. - 2Cube the tofu
Take the soft tofu and carefully cut it into small, uniform cubes. Keep the cubed tofu on a plate, ready to be added to the pot later.
Tip: Handle the soft tofu gently to ensure the cubes maintain their shape while cooking in the soup. - 3Stir-fry the okra
Heat a small amount of oil in a pot. Add the sliced okra and stir-fry them until the color brightens, indicating they are lightly cooked.
Tip: Stir-frying the okra briefly before adding water enhances the flavor and prepares it for the soup base. - 4Boil the okra
Pour a suitable amount of clean water into the pot over the stir-fried okra. Cover the pot with a lid and bring the mixture to a boil.
Tip: Adding water to the stir-fried okra creates a flavorful, lightly thickened base for your soup. - 5Add the tofu
Once the water and okra mixture is boiling, gently add the previously prepared soft tofu cubes into the pot.
Tip: Add the tofu carefully to ensure the cubes remain intact in the boiling soup. - 6Add the shrimp paste
When the soup is simmering, use a spoon to scoop and drop small portions of shrimp paste into the pot. Stir in a circular motion until the shrimp paste is fully cooked and changes color.
Tip: Stirring in a circular motion helps the shrimp paste cook evenly and blend into the soup perfectly. - 7Cook the shrimp paste
While the broth is warm, use a spoon to scoop and drop the shrimp paste into the pot. Stir in a circular motion with the ladle until the shrimp paste changes color and becomes opaque.
Tip: Stirring in a circular motion helps ensure the shrimp paste distributes evenly and cooks through properly. - 8Season the soup
Once the shrimp paste is cooked through, season the soup with salt and a pinch of white pepper to taste. The natural mucilage from the okra will have given the soup a naturally thickened texture.
Tip: White pepper adds a gentle heat that complements the fresh, delicate flavor of the shrimp paste and soft tofu.
