Tofu Dengaku

Ingredients

• Sesame seeds

  Seeds, whole, dried

  1 tsp or 3g

• Sake

  Alcoholic beverage, made from rice

  2 tbsp or 30g

• Tofu

  Firm, prepared with calcium sulfate and magnesium chloride (nigari)

  1 cup or 252g

• Miso

  ⅓ cup or 92g

• Sugar

  White, granulated sugar

  2 tbsp or 25g

Directions

1. Pat the tofu dry with paper towels, then wrap in fresh paper towels and place in a microwave-safe dish. Microwave on high for 30 seconds, pour off any liquid, and rewrap in fresh paper towels. Repeat microwaving 1 or 2 more times until the tofu feels firmer.
2. Preheat the broiler.
3. Combine miso, sugar, and sake in a small saucepan. If the mixture is very thick, add 1 tablespoon of water. Cook over medium-high heat, stirring, until bubbling and glossy, about 1 to 3 minutes.
4. Cut the tofu in half horizontally and then into 6 squares per half.
5. Place the tofu squares on a foil-lined broiler pan, cut sides up, and broil about 2 inches from the heat until a crust forms, 1 to 2 minutes. Remove from the oven and spread each square with about 3/4 teaspoon of the miso mixture. Broil again until the tops are bubbling and starting to color, 1 to 2 minutes.
6. Transfer the tofu to a plate, skewer each square with picks, and sprinkle with sesame seeds.