Jabu (Simmered Chicken, Tofu, and Vegetables)
Quick answer
- Total time
- 55 min
- Level
- Medium
- Servings
- 4 servings
- Ingredients
- 13
About this dish
Jabu is a Tottori simmer of chicken, tofu, burdock, carrot, shiitake, aburaage, konjac, and Japanese leek cooked together in a modest amount of soy-seasoned dashi.
Read more
Its name is associated with the liquid released as tofu and vegetables simmer, but the finished dish is served with the solids foremost rather than as soup. Brown the chicken first, cook firm vegetables until nearly tender, and add delicate tofu and leek later so they keep their shape.
Instructions
Read the steps as a cooking flow: prep, heat, seasoning, doneness control, and finish.
- 1Prep
Cut 200g chicken thigh into 3cm pieces.
Cut 350g tofu into 3cm cubes and drain for 10 minutes. Pour hot water over 1 aburaage sheet to remove excess oil, then slice it 1cm wide.
- 2Prep
Shave 100g burdock thinly, soak in cold water for 5 minutes, and drain.
Slice 100g carrot and 6 shiitake 5mm thick. Tear 250g konjac into bite-size pieces, blanch 2 minutes, and cut 100g leek into 3cm lengths.
- 3Control
Heat 10g oil in a wide pot over medium heat and stir-fry the chicken for 5 minutes.
When all surfaces are opaque, add burdock, carrot, shiitake, and konjac and cook for 4 minutes more.
- 4Control
Add 200ml dashi, 30ml sake, 20g sugar, and 50ml soy sauce and bring to a boil.
Cover with a drop lid and simmer over medium-low for 10 minutes, until burdock and carrot are nearly tender.
- 5Control
Add tofu and aburaage and simmer for 6 minutes, spooning broth over them.
Confirm the chicken center reaches 75C, add leek, and cook 2 minutes. Fold gently from the bottom so tofu stays intact, then divide solids and the modest broth among four bowls.
Practical Cooking Checks
The cues that matter most while cooking.
- Key technique
- Chicken, tofu, and vegetables cooked in one pot
- Finish cue
- Cover with a drop lid and simmer over medium-low for 10 minutes, until burdock and carrot are nearly tender.
- Avoid this
- After adding tofu, avoid frequent stirring; shake the pot gently or spoon broth over the pieces.
Cooking decision evidence
Calculated Charim data and applicable official food safety guidance.
This recipe
55min, 13 ingredients
Category median
48min, 8 ingredients
Based on 200 recipes
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