Tofu Made From Peanuts

Last Updated on April 1, 2022 by Guillermina

Termed “nufu”, or “peanut tofu”, tofu made from peanuts is also termed “jimami tofu”, a specialty Okinawan dish often served with sweetened soy sauce. This delicacy boasts a peanut-y flavor unlike tofu often found today that is made from soy. Often eaten as a dessert due to its sweet and salty peanut flavor combined with its creamy, pudding-like texture, jimami can easily be recreated at home—so you don’t have to travel all the way to Japan to savor this enticing dish!

Below you can find a delightful, easy-to-make Jimami-dofu, or tofu made with peanuts, recipe to be made from the warmth of your home with additional information on the health benefits of jimami-dofu and where it originates from. 

Tofu Made From Peanuts

A dessert delicacy in Okinawa, Japan, tofu that is made from peanuts is termed “jimami-dofu”. Unlike tofu, which is made from soybeans, jimami-dofu is made from peanuts, which adds a sweet peanut-y flavor that has made it an incredibly popular dish in Okinawa, oftentimes even gifted as a souvenir!

Nutritional Benefits Of Jimami-Dofu

Jimami-dofu, or peanut tofu, is rich in vitamin B1 and vitamin E. It is believed in Okinawa, that jimami-dofu has a “beautifying” effect on the skin, and is often paired with alcohol, like sake. 

Vitamin B1

Vitamin B1, also known as “thiamine”, is loaded with health benefits when consumed appropriately.

Some Benefits Include:

• Lowers The Risk Of Kidney Failure And Effect Of Sepsis
• Improves Insulin Levels
• Raises Energy Levels
• Lowers The Risk Of Heart Disease
• Improves Memory 

Vitamin E

A group of eight fat-soluble compounds, vitamin E presents many health benefits with its antioxidant properties. 

Some Benefits Include:

• Reduces Oxidative Stress
• Reduces Risk Of Heart Disease
• Protects Against Cancer
• Improves Vision
• Protects Against Risk Of Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD)
• Reduces The Risk Of Cognitive Decline

The Movie–Jimami Tofu

A 2017 Singaporean-Japanese film, the movie Jimami Tofu is set in Okinawa, Japan. A Chinese-Singaporean chef returns to Okinawa on a quest to find his long-lost love. During his search, the chef is subject to the art of traditional Okinawan cuisine. There he finds not only a new passion in the art of culture and cuisine but new love in a Japanese food critic.

The film went on to win the Audience Choice Award for Best Narrative Feature Film at the 2017 Hawaii International Film Festival, where the movie made its world premiere. The movie has drastically improved popularity for jimami-dofu in the creative outlet of the visually stimulating movie. Some tourists have gone to Okinawa specifically after watching the movie, Jimami Tofu, and the inspiration it created to interweave culture, history, and travel. 

What You Will Need To Make Tofu Made From Peanuts

The hardest part about making tofu from peanuts is waiting. The recipe itself is not difficult to make, it simply takes time for the peanuts to soak and the tofu to set and firm. Practice patience and you’ll be rewarded with the ultimate tofu made from peanuts! 

Ingredients:

• ⅔ Cup Sweet Potato Starch
• 4 Cups Water
• 2 Cups + 1 Tbsp Raw Peanuts

Equipment:

• Blender
• Medium Saucepan
• Shallow Bowl
• Measuring Cup
• Measuring Utensils
• Fine Mesh Sieve
• Dishcloth (Clean)
• Baking Dish (Small)

Step By Step Instructions

Step 1: Soak The Peanuts

Measuring out the raw peanuts and water, combine both in a shallow container. The nuts should be covered with water so that they can soak. For 24 hours, or overnight, allow the peanuts to soak in the water. 

Step 2: Blend The Peanuts

After 24 hours have passed, pour the mixture of peanuts and water into a blender. Purée until creamy and smooth. 

Step 3: Extract The Liquid

Set a saucepan over the appropriate burner. Now, overtop the saucepan, pour the mixture in the blender into the fine-mesh sieve. Make sure to extract all the liquid as you squeeze the mixture in the fine-mesh sieve into the saucepan.

Step 4: Add The Sweet Potato Starch

Add the measured sweet potato starch to the saucepan along with the liquid extracted from the mixture in the fine-mesh sieve. Mix to combine together.

Step 5: Bring To A Boil

Now that the sweet potato starch has been mixed in with the other liquid mixture, increase the heat to bring it to a boil.

Step 6: Reduce The Heat

After the liquid has been brought to a boil, reduce the heat to medium heat. Stir the mixture frequently for around 2 minutes. 

Step 7: Extract The Contents

Once time is up, pour the mixture into a baking dish lined with a clean dishcloth. Smooth the tofu and then cover the tofu with the remainder of the dishcloth. 

Step 8: Time For A Water Bath 

Bring the tofu to room temperature by setting the baking dish into a water bath. Once the tofu has reached room temperature, place the dish in the refrigerator where the tofu should be chilled for around 6 hours.

Step 9: Serve

Unwrap the dishcloth from the tofu after 6 hours. The tofu is ready to be served after being sliced into serving-size pieces, enjoy! 

Tips and Tricks

Serve with a sweetened soy sauce to get the prime flavor from this homemade Peanut Tofu recipe! 

For a sweetened soy sauce combined three ingredients—⅓ cup soy sauce, ⅓ cup mirin, and ⅓ cup sugar in a small saucepan. Bring the contents to a boil, stirring to dissolve the sugar. Once the sugar has fully dissolved, turn off the heat and remove the saucepan from the burner.

Before serving the sweetened soy sauce, allow it to cool to room temperature. Enjoy with your jimami-dofu! 

Servings And Preparation Time

Conclusion

Did you enjoy this recipe? Make sure to leave a comment below to tell us what you think or if you have any questions. Don’t forget to share this article for our favorite Tofu Made From Peanuts, Jimami, recipe.

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