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Fried Bean Curd With A Sweet And Sour Sauce

Fried Bean Curd With a Sweet and Sour Sauce recipe image
This classic Chinese-inspired dish features silken tofu cubes that have been briefly blanched for tenderness, served atop a colorful medley of stir-fried carrots, bell peppers, and scallions. The highlight is the homemade sweet and sour sauce, crafted from a balance of sugar, vinegar, ketchup, and soy sauce, thickened to a glossy consistency. It offers a perfect contrast of textures and flavors, making it an excellent choice for a light yet satisfying vegetarian main or a flavorful side dish. The preparation is straightforward, requiring minimal effort to achieve restaurant-quality results at home.
Cooking Method: , , ,
Cuisine:
Courses:
Difficulty: Advanced
Calories: 115
Dietary: Vegan
Description
This classic Chinese-inspired dish features silken tofu cubes that have been briefly blanched for tenderness, served atop a colorful medley of stir-fried carrots, bell peppers, and scallions. The highlight is the homemade sweet and sour sauce, crafted from a balance of sugar, vinegar, ketchup, and soy sauce, thickened to a glossy consistency. It offers a perfect contrast of textures and flavors, making it an excellent choice for a light yet satisfying vegetarian main or a flavorful side dish. The preparation is straightforward, requiring minimal effort to achieve restaurant-quality results at home.
Ingredients
  • Tofu, cubed
  • Garlic, peeled and minced
  • Ginger root, minced
  • Carrot, sliced into strips
  • Red bell pepper, cut into strips
  • Green bell pepper, cut into strips
  • Scallions, sliced
  • Vegetable stock or water
  • White vinegar
  • Sugar
  • Tomato ketchup
  • Soy sauce
  • Salt, plus more for boiling water
  • Cayenne pepper
  • Black pepper, freshly ground
  • Cornstarch
  • Vegetable stock (for cornstarch slurry)
  • Vegetable oil, divided
Directions
  1. 1
    Bring 6 cups of water and 2 teaspoons of salt to a boil in a large pot.
  2. 2
    Place tofu cubes in a heat-proof bowl.
  3. 3
    Carefully pour the boiling salted water over the tofu cubes.
  4. 4
    Let the tofu sit in the hot water for 5-10 minutes to heat through and firm up slightly.
  5. 5
    In a small bowl, mix the cornstarch with 3 tablespoons of stock or water until smooth to create a slurry.
  6. 6
    In a separate bowl, combine 3/4 cup stock, white vinegar, sugar, ketchup, soy sauce, 1/2 teaspoon salt, cayenne pepper, and black pepper.
  7. 7
    Heat 1 tablespoon of oil in a small saucepan over medium heat.
  8. 8
    Add the minced garlic and ginger to the hot oil and stir-fry until fragrant and the garlic just begins to brown.
  9. 9
    Remove the saucepan from the heat and pour in the vinegar mixture.
  10. 10
    Return the saucepan to the heat and bring the mixture to a boil.
  11. 11
    Reduce the heat and simmer the sauce for 4 minutes.
  12. 12
    Stir in the cornstarch slurry and continue stirring until the sauce thickens to a glossy consistency.
  13. 13
    Taste the sauce and add more salt if needed, then remove from heat.
  14. 14
    Using a slotted spoon, remove the garlic and ginger pieces from the sauce (optional, for smoother texture).
  15. 15
    Drain the tofu cubes, gently squeezing out excess water with your hands or a clean cloth.
  16. 16
    Heat 2 tablespoons of oil in a wok or large skillet over high heat.
  17. 17
    Add the carrot, bell pepper strips, and scallions to the wok.
  18. 18
    Stir-fry the vegetables for 30 seconds until just tender-crisp.
  19. 19
    Turn off the heat under the wok.
  20. 20
    Arrange the drained tofu cubes on a serving platter.
  21. 21
    Spoon the stir-fried vegetables over the top of the tofu.
  22. 22
    Reheat the prepared sweet and sour sauce over low heat if it has cooled.
  23. 23
    Pour the warm sauce generously over the vegetables and tofu.

Nutrition Facts

Amount Per Serving
Calories 115kcal
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 3.5g6%
Saturated Fat 0.5g3%
Sodium 580mg25%
Total Carbohydrate 14.4g5%
Dietary Fiber 0.1g1%
Sugars 12.1g
Protein 6.5g13%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

Read it online: https://www.chefs-mate.com/recipe/fried-bean-curd-with-a-sweet-and-sour-sauce/