Age no negi-shoga ae / thin deep-fried tofu with green onion and ginger

Originally introduced by a reader in a magazine as her grandmother's recipe. While I was more interested in Western-origin food back in college, this became one of the regular side dishes I kept in the fridge in my tiny apartment.

<Ingredients>

6 small or 3 large usuage thin deep-fried tofu
1 green onion
1 knob ginger
2 tsp sake
2 tsp soy sauce


<Directions>
1.

Prep-boil usuage, and cut into 1-cm wide strips.
Finely chop green onion and ginger.

2.

Microwave sake for 10 seconds to get rid of alcohol.

3.

In a bowl, put usuage, green onion and ginger.
Pour sake and soy sauce, and mix well.

Ready to eat, but best after at least 30 minutes when flavors have blended together.

<Notes>

• Getting rid of oil in usuage through prep-boiling is the key. Boil it until soft, for several minutes.
• It keeps in the fridge for several days.
• The original recipe might have included bonito flakes added at the very end.