Chinese Black Pepper Tofu Stir Fry Food

STIR-FRIED TOFU AND PEPPERS

Steps:

• Optional step for firmer tofu: Blot the tofu dry, wrap in a clean kitchen towel and place a cutting board on top. Let sit for about 15 minutes. Whether weighted or not, slice the tofu about 1/2 inch thick into 1- x 2-inch dominoes.
• Mix together 1 tablespoon of the soy sauce, 1 teaspoon of the brown sugar and 1 tablespoon of the oil in a medium bowl. Toss with the tofu, and stir to make sure all of the pieces are coated. Let sit for five to 10 minutes while you prepare the other ingredients.
• In a small bowl, stir together the remaining soy sauce and sugar, hoisin sauce and sesame oil. Set aside.
• Heat a large nonstick skillet or wok over high heat until a drop of water evaporates on contact. Add the oil, turn the heat to medium-high and add the peppers. Stir-fry for a couple of minutes, until the peppers begin to soften, and add the garlic and ginger. Stir-fry for 20 seconds, until the garlic and ginger begin to smell fragrant, and add the tofu, dried red pepper flakes and green onions. Stir-fry two minutes, give the sauce a stir and add to the pan. Cover and cook for three minutes. Remove the lid, stir the ingredients in the pan, and taste and adjust seasonings. Serve with rice or noodles.

BLACK PEPPER TOFU STIR FRY

Steps:

• TOFU: Press excess moisture out of the tofu using either the tea towels and heavy weights of the tofu press.This will take 15-20 minutes. Cut the tofu into bite sized pieces. In a zip top bag, combine the cornstarch, salt, and chili powder if desired. Zip and give the bag a shake. Add the tofu to the bag, zip, and continue to shake until the tofu is evenly coated with the cornstarch mixture.
• SAUCE: While the tofu is drying, prepare the sauce. Combine the light soy sauce, sweet soy sauce, oyster sauce, coarse ground pepper, brown sugar, vinegar, water, and cornstarch in a mason jar. Give the jar a shake until combined.
• STIR FRY: In a large non-stick skillet over medium-high heat, add 2 tablespoons of oil and swirl to coat. Add the cubed tofu to the pan and let fry for 5-6 minutes, flipping the tofu as needed to ensure even browning on all sides. Remove the tofu to a plate, set aside. Add the remaining tablespoon of oil to the skillet, Add the sliced shallots and sauté until the onions cook down, about 5 minutes. Add the minced garlic along with the chilis and sauté for another 3-4 minutes or until the onions and garlic are fragrant and soften. Add the ginger paste and continue to cook for 1 minutes before adding the tofu back to the pan. Drizzle with the prepared black pepper sauce and stir to combine. When the sauce thickens, remove from heat. Sprinkle the scallions on top and serve warm with white/brown rice, quinoa, over zoodles/swoodles, or on it's own!

CHINESE CHICKEN WITH BLACK PEPPER SAUCE

Steps:

• Note: This recipe calls for boneless thigh meat, which is preferred, but I tried using breast meat and the result was fine also.
• Mix together sauce ingredients in a small bowl and set aside.
• Cut chicken into a small dice, about 1/4-inch.
• Heat 1-2 cups peanut or other cooking oil in your wok.
• Place cornstarch in a small bowl and begin to dust chicken pieces, shaking off excess.
• Fry in hot oil in small batches until crispy and golden, about 2-3 minutes; drain.
• Remove oil from wok and discard.
• Heat 1 tbsp oil in wok and stir-fry onion about 1 minute; add peas and carrots and cook another 30 seconds.
• Add sauce mixture to wok along with chicken pieces and stir to coat everything evenly.
• Serve at once with hot steamed rice.

CHINESE TOFU AND SHRIMP STIR-FRY

Steps:

• PREPARATION.
• Remove the shells from the shrimp and devein by cutting a slit along the back of the shrimp (removing the vein), place the shrimp in a bowl, add 2 teaspoons of salt, mix and then rinse under cold water, add another 2 teaspoons of salt, mix and rinse under cold water, pat dry with paper towels and set aside.
• Add to shrimp bowl the following seasonings-1 teaspoon salt, 1 egg white, 1 tablespoon tapioca starch, 1/2 teaspoon sugar, 2 teaspoons sesame oil and a dash of white pepper, cover and refrigerate for 1 hour (or longer, when you are ready to cook).
• Cut up the tofu into small pieces about 1 to 1 ½ inch by ½ to 1 inch size (approximately) set aside.
• Wash and clean the scallions and cut at an angle into 1/2 inch pieces, set aside.
• In a cup with the stock, add the following seasonings: soy sauce, rice wine, bean sauce, garlic, chili paste, pepper flakes, ½ teaspoon sugar, 1 tablespoon tapioca starch, mix and set aside.
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• COOKING DIRECTIONS.
• In a Teflon pan (or wok) add 2 tablespoons peanut oil and bring to medium heat and then add the cut up tofu, shake pan a little and with a spatula separate the pieces. Cook for 5 minutes and then turn the pieces, cook another 5 minutes, toss as needed and cook until the pieces are a golden brown in color, drain and set aside.
• Next add 2 tablespoons of oil to a clean Teflon pan (or wok) and when medium hot add the ginger, cook for 30 seconds and then add the seasoned shrimp, stir-fry until the shrimps start to turn pink (important to made sure that you do not overcook the shrimp).
• Add back the tofu and gently toss (try not to break up the tofu) and cook for another minute or two.
• Next re-stir the stock mixture and pour into the pan, stir-fry for another minute and again try not to break up the tofu, add 2 teaspoons sesame oil, add the cut up spring scallions, toss to coat all.
• In a big plate add the yellow or white rice around the side (to form well) and in the center add the shrimp and tofu combination.
• Enjoy this Asian dish.
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• NOTE:.
• The Amoy Sichuan Spicy Noodle Sauce (fermented salted soybean, chili, garlic) is a great ingredient for this somewhat spicy dish or use other types of sauce found on Asian food store shelves.