Tofu pudding with red date & brown sugar syrup
Silky tofu pudding under a warm red date and brown sugar syrup — soft, easy to digest and gently strengthening for a tired afternoon.
- 20 min
- Serves 2
- Steam
- Easy
Why it suits you: Qi Deficiency means tiring easily and sweating in the heat, and cold food is best avoided at Start of Summer. Tofu builds qi and settles digestion, while red dates and brown sugar warm and nourish — soft, warm and easy to digest.
Method
Prep 5 min · Cook 15 min- 1Pit and halve the red dates. Bring them to the boil with the ginger and 300 ml of water, then simmer gently for 10 minutes.
- 2Stir in the brown sugar until dissolved, lift out the ginger and keep the syrup at a bare simmer.
- 3Pour the water out of the tofu box and slide the tofu whole into a deep bowl. Steam over high heat for 6–8 minutes until hot through, or microwave on medium for 2 minutes.
- 4Scoop thin slices of tofu into bowls with a large spoon, pour over the hot syrup and dates, and eat warm.
Cautions
- Avoid if you are allergic to soy; if you have diabetes, halve the sugar.
Chef's tips
- For a more authentic texture, buy ready-made tofu pudding from a soy shop, warm it through and pour over the syrup.
The TCM view
Tofu is sweet and cool; it builds qi, settles the middle and moistens. Red dates are sweet and warm, strengthening qi and blood and calming the spirit. Brown sugar (sweet, warm) and ginger (pungent, warm) warm the stomach and offset the tofu's coolness. Mostly sweet and neutral overall — tonifying without heating, which suits Qi Deficiency in summer.
