Lemongrass Tofu with Daikon

Lemongrass is a wonderfully fragrant herb. If prepped and cooked properly, it adds not only flavor but also a great texture to vegetables, meat, fish or tofu.

I used the lemongrass in this dish as a coating for the tofu (tàu hũ xào xả). Daikon radish (củ cải trắng in Vietnamese) provides contrasts in both texture and flavor. I think the way the daikon is cut dramatically changes the texture of the dish. By cutting it into thick strings, the daikon cooks fast but remain slightly firm.

Note: Glossary of relevant Vietnamese cooking terms.

Tàu hũ = tofu

Xào = stir fry

Xả = lemongrass

Củ = root

Trắng = white

Lemongrass Tofu

Lemongrass is very common in Vietnamese cuisine. It is considered as a mild diuretic, tonic and stimulant. It's very fibrous so lemongrass needs to be finely chopped.

This particular recipe combines lemongrass with fried tofu.

Lemongrass is quite expensive in stores and it sold by bulk of 5 stalks. It's a perennial. I asked my husband about it and he started to grow 4 "bushes" last year and we keep getting some, which is very convenient.