Soy Braised Tofu With Bok Choy Food

SOY-BRAISED TOFU WITH BOK CHOY

Steps:

• Cut tofu across into ¾-inch-thick slices, then cut each slice in half so you have roughly 12 squares.
• Heat a large (12-inch), deep-sided nonstick or well-seasoned cast-iron skillet on medium-high. When hot, add 1 tablespoon of oil and swirl to coat the base. Place the tofu in a single layer, season each piece with a little salt and black pepper, and fry for 3 to 4 minutes until golden and crispy. Flip and cook on the other side for 3 to 4 minutes more, adding more oil if needed. Remove tofu from the skillet and set aside on a plate.
• Make the sauce: Combine the soy sauce, vegetarian stir-fry sauce or oyster sauce, cornstarch and sugar with ⅓ cup of water. Whisk until smooth.
• In the same skillet over medium heat, add the doubanjiang or chile oil (if you're using doubanjiang, add about 1 teaspoon of neutral oil) and stir for 15 seconds. Add the garlic, ginger and white parts of the scallion, and toss for 1 to 2 minutes, until the scallions are softened and everything is fragrant. If the pan starts to look dry, add a drop of oil.
• Add the bell pepper and Shaoxing wine, if using, and stir-fry for 2 to 3 minutes until slightly softened. Pour in the seasoning sauce and let it sizzle for 30 seconds, stirring once or twice.
• Add the baby bok choy, tofu and green parts of the scallion, toss gently to coat the tofu. Let it simmer on low heat for 1 to 2 minutes until the sauce thickens, the baby bok choy is wilted but still green and crisp-tender, and the tofu has absorbed some of the sauce. Serve with rice or noodles.

GINGER SWEET TOFU WITH PAK CHOI

Steps:

• Gently prick a few holes in the tofu with a toothpick (this will help the marinade to soak into it, giving better flavour), then cut into bite-size cubes.
• Mix the marinade ingredients together in a bowl and toss in the tofu pieces. Set aside to marinate for 10-15 mins.
• Heat a wok over high heat and add half the groundnut oil. When the oil starts to smoke, add the ginger slices and stir-fry for a few secs. Add the pak choy leaves and stir-fry for 1-2 mins. Add a small splash of water to create some steam and cook for 2 mins more. When the leaves have wilted and the stems are cooked but still a little crunchy, season with salt and transfer to a serving dish.
• Rinse the wok under cold water, then reheat it and add the remaining oil. When it starts to smoke, add the tofu pieces (retaining the marinade liquid) and stir-fry for 5-10 mins. Take care not to break up the tofu as you toss it to get it browned evenly on all sides. Season with the rice wine and rice vinegar. Add the remaining marinade liquid, bring to the bubble and let the liquid reduce. Sprinkle over the chilli flakes and toss well. Spoon onto the pak choy and serve immediately with jasmine rice, if you like.

BRAISED BABY BOK CHOY

Steps:

• Heat oil in a skillet over medium-high heat until hot, but not smoking. Add bok choy and cook, turning once, until just golden, about 2 minutes. Add stock and soy sauce. Cover, reduce heat to medium, and simmer until bok choy is tender, about 5 minutes.
• Transfer to a serving platter, reserving liquid in the skillet.
• Cook liquid over medium-high heat until it is reduced by half, 1 to 2 minutes. Pour over bok choy and serve.

BABY BOK CHOY WITH MUSHROOMS AND TOFU

Steps:

• On paper towels, pat tofu dry on all sides.
• Cut tofu crosswise into 1/2 inch thick slices.
• On small plate, place cornstarch.
• Heat nonstick wok or large skillet over medium heat until hot.
• Add 2 tbls. oil and swirl to coat pan.
• One at a time, dip tofu slices into cornstarch to coat cut surfaces and place in wok.
• Fry until well browned on one side--about 5 minutes.
• Turn tofu slices and fry other sides until well browned.
• Transfer tofu to center of large serving platter; cover with foil and keep warm.
• Add broth and gingerroot to wok and heat to boiling.
• Add bok choy, cover and cook until tender and most of broth evaporates-about 5 minutes.
• Meanwhile, prepare Sauce (see below).
• With slotted spoon or pancake turner, remove bok choy and place, cut sides down, around rim of platter with tofu; cover and keep warm.
• Discard ginger slices and any remaining broth.
• Reheat wok over high heat until hot.
• Add remaining 1 tbls. oil and the mushrooms.
• Stir-fry mushrooms until softened-about 5 minutes.
• Restir Sauce and pour over mushrooms; cook, stirring constantly, until thickened and bubbly.
• Transfer mushrooms from Sauce and place over tofu.
• Pour Sauce over all.
• Garnish with green onion, if desired.
• Sauce: In a small bowl, combine 1/2 cup vegetable broth, 1/4 cup fish sauce, 2 tbls.soy sauce, 2 tsp.cornstarch, 2 tsp.sugar, and 2 tsp.Oriental sesame oil.

SESAME SOY BRAISED BOK CHOY

Steps:

• Trim the bok choy. Slice the leafy portion from the stalks. Cut both the leaves and stalks into large matchstick sized pieces, keeping two piles.
• Heat a large heavy skillet until hot. Add oil and coat the pan. Add the bok choy stems; stir fry about 5 minutes.
• Add ginger and garlic and stir fry briefly.
• Add bok choy greens, chicken stock, sesame oil, soy sauce, rice vinegar, sugar, salt and pepper to taste.
• Cover, reduce heat to medium low and cook until bok choy is tender and glazed with sauce 5-8 minutes.
• Remove cover, sprinkle with sesame seeds and increase heat to medium high.
• Cook until liquid evaporates 2-3 minutes.

TOFU AND BOK CHOY WITH GINGER-TAHINI SAUCE

Steps:

• In a large skillet with a lid, arrange bok choy in an even layer to cover the bottom of the pan, and season with salt and pepper. Nestle the tofu pieces on top of or in between the bok choy, depending on the depth of your pan. Add ½ cup of water to the skillet and bring to a boil over high heat. Cover securely to prevent steam from escaping, reduce heat to medium and steam until bok choy is tender and tofu is warm throughout, about 10 minutes.
• Meanwhile, in a small bowl combine tahini, soy sauce, vinegar, ginger, garlic, scallions, cilantro and 1 tablespoon of water. Whisk until well blended, and season with salt and pepper to taste.
• Using a spatula or large slotted spoon, transfer bok choy and tofu to 4 serving plates. (Discard any remaining water in the skillet.) Spoon some of the sauce over the tofu and garnish with scallions, cilantro and sesame seeds. Serve warm.