Want to find alternatives to your favorite meat cuts that come from plants? Tofu will be just right for the job. Tofu comes from the Chinese word doufu, which means “bean ferment or curd.” It is made by letting soy milk curdle and harden. This method makes a wide range of textures, which makes tofu one of the most versatile things you’ll ever find. Tofu comes in a wide range of textures, from very soft to very hard. It can be used in almost any recipe, and it’s also full of healthy nutrients. Tofu can be made into a snack, a main dish, or a side dish. All of these ways are tasty. One of the best ways to show this is with tofu balls with miswa and patola.
If you want traditional food with a healthier twist, you don’t need to look any further. This dish of tofu balls with miswa and patola is just what you want. This stew will be just what you need to feel better. It has tasty, light tofu balls and a thick, rich soup. Especially on rainy days, a taste of this delicious soup can put you in a dream.
Almondigas vs. Tofu Balls with Miswa and Patola
It’s not rare for miswa and patola to go together. This simple, no-frills recipe is a go-to in the kitchen for many Filipinos when they need something quick. In the Philippines, this soup is called almondigas. The idea for our meatballs with miswa and patola came from a famous Mexican dish with meatballs, chicken stock, and green beans. Almondigas is homey and welcoming, and it will make your loved ones feel good right away.
Most likely, so will our miswa and patola tofu balls! Firm tofu and green onions are used to make our tofu balls, which go well with the thin strips of miswa. The sweet and smooth patola, or loofa, goes well with these noodles, which stand for a long life. Overall, this dish is a healthy version of everything you love about almondigas. Tofu balls are a tasty and healthy alternative to ground beef if you don’t want something as heavy.
How to Make the Tofu Balls
Press down on your hard tofu to get rid of any extra water. Mix them with the egg, onions, green onions, flour, salt, and ground black pepper in a bowl. Make sure that these parts fit together so well that they seem to be one. After they have been mixed well, roll them into balls.
Fry the tofu balls, which is the next step in making them. You can use either a regular pan or an air fryer, but the steps below are for a regular pan. Neither way is better than the other. After heating some oil in a pan, fry the tofu balls until they are a medium brown color on the outside. When the balls hit that color, take them out of the pan and set them aside.
Making the Stock
Already, we’re making a delicious soup for your tofu balls. You can warm the tofu balls in a pot with some of the oil you used to fry them. Cook the garlic until it starts to turn brown. Then, put in the onions and cook them until they become soft. Then, put 5 cups of water in the pot and heat it until it boils.
Add your Knorr Shrimp Cube and tofu balls next for a deeper flavor. Let this mix cook for three to five minutes.
Patola and Misawa are introduced.
Are you starting to feel hungry? We’re getting close! After adding your loofa or patola, cook for 5 minutes. Then, quickly add your miswa to the pot. Miswa is added last because it only takes a few minutes to cook, and if you leave it in for too long, your noodles might get too soft. Add fish sauce and ground black pepper to taste to your miswa and patola.
Put your mis in a bowl for serving and top with chopped green onions. With Misawa and patola, you and your family can now eat tasty tofu balls. Please tell us your thoughts!
Tofu Balls with Ingredients Other Than Miswa and Patola
Miswa and Patola are not the only things in these tofu balls.
The ingredients for this recipe for tofu balls with Miso and patola are easy to find, which is a plus. But don’t worry if you have trouble with some of them! Here are some other things you can do instead.
Misua: These long, stringy noodles are a favorite in the Philippines and are a symbol of a long life. If you can’t find Misha, you can often use sotanghon noodles instead, which are just as thin but more see-through. Bihon, which are rice noodles, are another good option that you can find in many shops.
Patola: If you can’t find patola at your grocery store, you can use zucchini slices, upo, or sayote instead. Patola is known for its smooth feel, which all three of these choices have. They also taste warm and slightly sweet, like loofa, which we all love.
Tofu balls: Finally, if you can’t find solid tofu, you could try tempeh. Tempeh is also made from soy, but it usually also contains other foods. This makes it higher in fiber and protein and sometimes more like meat in texture. Tempeh is another great meat substitute that you can use to make burgers. You could also use mushrooms. Fantastic fungi feel like tofu and come in a wide range of shapes and colors. These will go well in your miswa soup and give it a unique, smokey taste that you and your family will like.
Ingredients
- ▢3 ounces misua
- â–¢1Â Knorr Shrimp Cube
- ▢1 patola sliced
- ▢1 bunch green onions chopped
- ▢4 cloves garlic chopped
- ▢1 onion minced
- â–¢Fish sauce and ground black pepper to taste
- ▢5 cups water
- ▢½ cup cooking oil
Tofu Ball Ingredients:
- ▢1 lb. firm tofu
- ▢1 egg beaten
- ▢1 carrot minced
- ▢3 tablespoons green onion minced
- â–¢1Â onion minced
- ▢6 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- ▢1 teaspoon salt
- ▢1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
Instructions
- Start making the tofu balls by pressing the tofu to drain excess liquid. Mash it in a bowl and then add all the tofu ball ingredients. Mix well. Mold into balls. Note: you have the option to fry this in oil or to use an air fryer. This recipe suggests frying these in oil.
- Heat cooking oil in a pan. Fry the tofu balls until the exterior part turns medium brown. Remove from the pan. Set aside.
- Heat 3 tablespoons of cooking oil in a pot. (Note: you can utilize some of the oil used to cook the tofu balls.)
- Saute garlic until it starts to brown. Add onion. Cook until the onion softens.
- Pour water into the pot. Let it boil.
- Add Knorr Shrimp Cube and fried tofu. Cook for 3 to 5 minutes.
- Add patola. Cook for 5 minutes.
- Put the miswa into the pot. Stir and season with fish sauce and ground black pepper.
- Transfer to a serving plate and top with chopped green onions. Share and enjoy!
Nutrition Information
Calories: 2049kcal (102%) Carbohydrates: 152g (51%) Protein: 56g (112%) Fat: 138g (212%) Saturated Fat: 12g (60%) Polyunsaturated Fat: 45g Monounsaturated Fat: 78g Trans Fat: 0.5g Cholesterol: 164mg (55%) Sodium: 3488mg (145%) Potassium: 785mg (22%) Fiber: 12g (48%) Sugar: 15g (17%) Vitamin A: 10736IU (215%) Vitamin C: 29mg (35%) Calcium: 780mg (78%) Iron: 12mg (67%)
FAQ
Can I use soft tofu instead of firm tofu for the tofu balls?
Yes, you can use soft tofu if you prefer a softer texture. However, keep in mind that the tofu balls may be more delicate and might require extra care when handling them.
Where can I find miswa noodles?
Miswa noodles are commonly found in Asian grocery stores or specialty stores that carry Filipino or Southeast Asian ingredients. If you can’t find miswa noodles, you can substitute them with other thin noodles like rice vermicelli or angel hair pasta.
Can I add other vegetables to the recipe?
Absolutely! Feel free to add or substitute other vegetables according to your preference. Some popular choices include spinach, bok choy, mushrooms, or bell peppers. Just make sure to adjust the cooking time accordingly for each vegetable.
Can I make the tofu balls ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare the tofu balls in advance. After shaping them, you can store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours before cooking. This can be helpful for saving time when you’re ready to cook the dish.
Can I use vegetable or chicken broth instead of vegetable broth?
Yes, you can use vegetable or chicken broth interchangeably in this recipe. The choice of broth will add different flavors to the dish, so choose according to your preference or dietary restrictions.