Eggplant Tofu Casserole Food

CRISPY SZECHUAN-STYLE EGGPLANT AND TOFU

Steps:

• In a shallow dish, combine 2/3 cup of the cornstarch, the salt and pepper. Toss the eggplant pieces in the cornstarch mixture to coat, shaking off the excess; set aside. Repeat the process with the tofu.
• Heat 1/2 inch of the peanut oil in a large, deep, straight-sided skillet over medium heat until it shimmers. Working in batches, cook the eggplant first, tossing gently until golden brown, about 3 minutes on each side. Transfer to a paper-towel-lined plate to drain. Repeat with the remaining eggplant and the tofu.
• In a small bowl, whisk together the chicken stock, soy sauce, vinegar, sugar, lime juice and remaining 2 teaspoons cornstarch.
• Carefully drain the oil from the skillet, and wipe out any residue using paper towels held with tongs. Add 1 tablespoon of peanut oil to the skillet and heat it over medium heat. Add the ginger, about 1 teaspoon of the minced chiles (or to taste) and the garlic. Cook, stirring, until just fragrant, about 30 seconds; pour in the chicken stock mixture and bring it to a simmer. Simmer until slightly thickened, 2 to 3 minutes.
• Add the cooked eggplant and tofu to the skillet and toss gently to combine. Stir in the sesame oil and remove from the heat. Serve immediately over rice and garnished with the remaining minced chiles if desired and chopped cilantro.

EGGPLANT AND TOFU CURRY

Steps:

• Heat 1 tablespoon vegetable oil in a pot over medium-high heat. Add the onion and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Meanwhile, puree the garlic, ginger, jalapeno and 1 to 2 tablespoons water in a mini food processor until a paste forms. Drain the tomatoes, reserving the juice; coarsely crush the tomatoes in a separate bowl.
• Add the remaining 2 tablespoons vegetable oil and the eggplant to the pot; cook 2 minutes. Add the garlic-ginger paste and cook, stirring, 2 more minutes. Add the curry powder and tomatoes (but not the juice) and cook, stirring, 1 minute. Add the tomato juice and 1 cup water and cook until slightly reduced, about 3 minutes. Add the coconut milk and tofu; simmer until the eggplant is very tender, about 5 minutes. Add the spinach and cook until wilted, about 1 minute. Season with salt and pepper. Serve with rice, if desired.

PANDA EXPRESS EGGPLANT TOFU

Steps:

• Drain and cut firm tofu into cubes or triangle. Press tofu pieces between cloth kitchen towel and press out any water. Add tofu to wok or seasoned cast iron skillet and cook over medium-low heat. Press the tofu with a spatula to help remove the water. When the tofu is firm and golden flip over and cook on the other side, pressing the liquid out, until golden.
• In a medium bowl mix together the chili paste, wine, soy sauce, broth, sugar and vinegar.
• Add the dry cooked tofu to the marinade in bowl. Let sit 20-30 minutes.
• Slice eggplant diagonally, keeping at 1-inch thickness. Set aside.
• Heat oil in wok until hot. Add eggplant and deep fry until brown. Add peppers and stir fry until cooked. Add garlic and ginger, saute approximately 1 minute, be careful not o brown the garlic. Remove all vegetables from wok, drain and set aside.
• Drain marinade off tofu into the wok. Bring to a boil. Slowly stir in cornstarch to thicken. Add tofu, eggplant, peppers and green onions. Mix gently to coat with thickened sauce.

EGGPLANT TOFU CASSEROLE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
• Layer eggplant, tomatoes, tofu, onion, and garlic in a square glass baking pan. Drizzle with chile sauce and olive oil. Salt lightly; sprinkle on Cheddar cheese.
• Bake in the preheated oven until cheese is bubbly, about 30 minutes.

EGGPLANT AND TOFU STACK

Steps:

• Using a fork, poke holes in eggplant and rub with 1/2 tsp oil. Season with salt and pepper. Roast in oven at 350°F until eggplant collapses (40 minutes to an hour). Remove and cool; scrape out insides and discard skin. Heat 1 tbsp oil in a 10" sauté pan on low heat. Add onion, red pepper, shallots, and garlic; cover and sauté until tender. Add eggplant, season with salt and pepper and cook, uncovered, 45 minutes, stirring occasionally, until all liquid evaporates. Transfer to a bowl and cool. Add chives and parsley.
• Slice tofu lengthwise so each block is an inch thick. Cut the blocks into six 2-inch squares. Spread a 12-inch-wide piece of plastic wrap on the counter. Place 1 slice tofu on the plastic wrap. Season with salt and pepper and spread about 1/4 eggplant mixture across the top. Add another layer of tofu, season it and repeat until you have 2 layers of eggplant and 3 layers of tofu. Cover stack with plastic wrap. Repeat to make second stack. Place both stacks on a plate, chill 2 hours, remove and unwrap. Place flour in a medium-sized bowl. Beat eggs in another medium-sized bowl. Dip each stack in flour, then egg, then flour again, coating all sides each time. Heat remaining 2 tsp oil (or more if necessary) in a pan on medium-high heat. Sauté stacks on all sides (2 or 3 minutes per side) until golden brown. Serve immediately.

THAI EGGPLANT CURRY WITH TOFU

Steps:

• Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a wok or skillet and saute eggplant in batches on both sides until browned, 3 to 5 minutes per side, adding more oil as needed.
• Combine cilantro roots, onion, chile peppers, garlic, sugar, lime juice, and fish sauce in a mortar; crush with a pestle into a soft paste.
• Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a wok or skillet over high heat, add curry paste and stir-fry for 1 minute. Add eggplant, cover, and cook for 3 minutes. Mix in tofu and Thai basil.