Cantonese Style Tofu In Black Bean Sauce Food

TOFU WITH BLACK BEAN SAUCE - 豉汁豆腐

Steps:

• Cut the tofu into ¼-inch thick squares. Pat each piece of tofu dry with a paper towel, and set aside.
• Place a clean wok or cast iron skillet over high heat until it just starts to smoke. This is an important step to prevent the tofu from sticking. Turn the heat down to medium, and add 2 tablespoons of oil to coat your pan. Pan-fry the tofu on both sides until lightly golden brown. Turn off the heat, and transfer the tofu to a plate.
• Over medium heat, and add 1 tablespoon of oil to your wok, along with the garlic, black beans, the white parts of the scallions, and the chopped chilies. Depending on how hot your chilies are, as well as your own tolerance for spice, you may want to use more or fewer chilies--or none at all. I used 7 dried chilies, de-seeded.
• Stir and cook everything for a minute, taking care not to burn the garlic. Add in the tofu, the Shaoxing wine, light soy sauce, sesame oil, white pepper, sugar, and the green parts of the scallions.
• Stir-fry gently so as to not break up the tofu. When the mixture is bubbling, stir your cornstarch mixture to ensure that the cornstarch is completely dissolved.
• Then add it to the wok, stirring gently and quickly until the sauce has thickened and evenly coats the tofu. Serve immediately!

CANTONESE STYLE TOFU IN BLACK BEAN SAUCE

Steps:

• Wrap the tofu slabs in paper towels or a cotton towel, and set a heavy weight, such as a cast-iron skillet on top. Let them stand for 30 minutes to press out excess water. Then cut them into slices about 1/2" thick and 2 1/2" long. Put them in a bowl.
• Mix the soy sauce, garlic sesame oil and oil and combine together for a marinade and pour it over the tofu slices. Toss lightly to coat, cover with plastic wrap, and let the tofu sit at room temperature for 30 minutes.
• In a mixing bowl combine vegetable broth, soy sauce, wine, sugar and cornstarch and set aside until needed.
• Heat a heavy skillet and add 2 1/2 tbsp of the oil. When hot, arrange some of the tofu slices in the pan and sear over very high heat for 2 to 3 minutes on each side, or until golden brown. Remove with a slotted spoon and drain. Reheat the pan and continue frying the remaining slices. Remove and drain.
• Heat the pan again, add the remaining 1 tbsp oil and heat until hot, about 30 seconds and then add the minced seasonings. Stir-fry about 15 seconds, until fragrant, and then add the onions and bell peppers. Toss lightly with a slotted spoon or spatula over high heat and cook about 2 minutes, until the onions and peppers are slightly tender. Add the snow peas and the sauce, and toss lightly until the sauce has thickened. Add the fried tofu slices and stir the vegetables and sauce with a spatula to coat them. Scoop the tofu and vegetables onto a platter and serve with steamed rice.

CHINESE EGGPLANTS (AUBERGINE) WITH BLACK BEAN SAUCE

Steps:

• Heat saucepan on medium high. Add oil, hot but not smoky.
• Add minced ginger root, garlic, white part of green onion and salt and pepper. Cook to soften.
• Add fermented black beans, smash with spoon and mix into ginger, garlic, onion mixture.
• Add chopped onion, cook to soften 2 minutes.
• Add oyster sauce and rice vinegar, mix well.
• Add eggplants and mix well.
• Add red pepper flakes, if using.
• Cook until eggplants and onion are well done.
• Taste and add soy sauce, if needed.
• Garnish with green part of onions.
• Serve with sauce over white rice.

CHINESE STEAMED WHITE FISH FILLET WITH TOFU (CANTONESE STYLE)

Steps:

• Bring about 1 1/2 inches of water to boil in a pot fitted with a steamer basket.
• In a large bowl, stir together the chile, garlic, ginger, and black bean sauce. Stir in dark and white soy sauces, vegetable oil, sugar, and white pepper. In a small cup, mix together the cornstarch and water. Stir into the sauce. Cut fish fillets into thin strips, add to bowl, and coat well.
• When water in steamer has reached a boil, carefully place the tofu cubes in a single layer in the basket, and steam, covered, for 2 minutes. Place the fish strips on top of the tofu; cover and steam for another 3 minutes.
• Remove and garnish with chopped green onion. Serve with steamed white rice and stir-fried or steamed Asian vegetables.