Braised Pork Tofu And Shiitakes Recipes

ULTIMATE BRAISED TOFU

Steps:

• Cut the tofu into 10 pieces, transfer to a plate, and let it sit at room temperature for 30 minutes. Carefully tilt the plate and pour off the liquid. This step allows you to remove some of the water content from the very wet silken tofu.
• In a tall pot, heat oil to 375 to 400 degrees F. Make sure that the oil is well below the rim of the pot, so the oil does not overflow. It also minimizes splattering. You can use a candy or oil thermometer to check the temperature.
• Use a metal spatula or slotted spoon to carefully scoop up one piece at a time and lower it quickly into the hot oil. I suggest frying 3 to 4 pieces at a time, keeping the heat at medium high, because the tofu will cool the oil quickly. You need to maintain that high oil temperature to quickly brown the outside and form a light crust.
• Deep fry your silken tofu until light golden brown (about 2 to 3 minutes per batch) and set aside on a dry plate. Oil temperature control is key, as you want to maintain the temperature between 375 and 400 degrees F.
• In a bowl, combine the stock, oyster sauce, soy sauces, sesame oil, sugar, and salt together in a bowl and set aside.
• Heat your wok over medium heat and add 2 tablespoons of the frying oil around the perimeter of the wok so it is lightly coated. Add the smashed ginger to the wok and stir it in the oil for about 15 seconds. Stir in the minced garlic, the white portion of the scallions, the mushrooms, carrots, and bamboo shoots, and turn the heat up to high. Stir-fry for 30 seconds and add the Shaoxing wine and the snap peas.
• Continue to stir-fry for another 30 seconds, and add the sauce mixture. Bring the mixture up to a boil. Once boiling, add the cornstarch and water mixture and stir for 15 seconds until the sauce starts to thicken. Add the fried silken tofu and the rest of the scallions.
• Carefully fold the mixture together until the tofu is well-coated. Use extra care, because the fried silken tofu is still very delicate! Let your braised tofu cook for another 15 to 20 seconds and add a little more cornstarch and water if you want a thicker sauce.

SOY-BRAISED PORK WITH SHIITAKES

Steps:

• Put oil in a large, deep skillet and turn heat to high. A minute later, add pork and cook, undisturbed, until nicely browned on one side, 3 to 5 minutes. Shake the pan or use tongs to turn, then toss in the ginger and garlic.
• A minute later, add soy sauce, sugar and 1/2 cup water, along with mirin, honey or sugar. Turn heat to low, cover and simmer about 30 minutes, until pork is fairly tender. Add shiitakes, stir, and cook about 10 more minutes, until pork is quite tender.
• Uncover, raise heat to high, and cook, turning pieces frequently, until liquid is reduced to a saucy consistency. Discard ginger and garlic if you like, and serve over white rice.

BRAISED HAWAIIAN PORK SHOULDER

Steps:

• Special Equipment: Butcher's twine
• In a small bowl, combine the brown sugar, Hawaiian salt, paprika, cumin, coriander and black pepper.
• Cut the pork into 4 equal portions, then tie each cut with some butcher's twine. Lightly sprinkle each piece with 1 1/2 teaspoons of the spice mixture.
• Preheat the oven to 300 degrees F.
• Heat 3 tablespoons canola oil in a large Dutch oven over medium heat. Sear each cut of pork on all sides, then transfer them to a plate. Add the remaining 1 tablespoon canola oil to the same pot along with the onions, ginger, and garlic. Saute for 2 minutes. Pour in the pineapple juice and chicken stock and return the pork to the pot. Cover put the pot into the oven to braise until the pork is fork tender, about for 2 1/2 hours.
• Remove the pork from the Dutch oven and arrange the pieces on a baking sheet. Sprinkle each piece with the remaining 1/2 teaspoon of the spice mixture and put them under a low broiler until their tops are brown and crisp but not burned, about 2 minutes. Transfer the pork to a serving platter and serve with a drizzle of braising liquid.
• Serve the pork with the Mashed Parsnips and Celery Root, if desired.

BRAISED PORK, TOFU AND SHIITAKES

Steps:

• 1) Drain tofu and blot dry with paper towel. Cut tofu into 3/4 inch square cubes and set aside.
• 2) In a large bowl, combine the ground pork, 1 1/2 tablespoons cornstarch and 2 tablespoons soy sauce. In a separate bowl, make a slurry by mixing 1/2 teaspoon cornstarch with 2 tablespoons cold water.
• 3) Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a large non-stick skillet over medium-high heat. Pan-fry the tofu cubes 1-2 minutes on each side until lightly brown. Transfer to plate.
• 4) Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a large wok over high heat. Add the garlic and pork mixture, breaking it up with a metal spatula. Stir-fry until pork is no longer pink. Add the mushrooms and stir-fry 1-2 minutes. Add the tofu and stir-fry for 1 minute. Mix in oyster sauce, chili garlic sauce, 2 tablespoons soy sauce and chicken stock. Re-whisk and add cornstarch slurry and bring to a boil, stir until the sauce is slightly thickened. Adjust seasonings to taste. Stir in cilantro and serve over jasmine rice.

PORK CHOPS WITH SHIITAKE MUSHROOMS

Steps:

• Heat oven to 375 degrees. In a medium bowl, whisk together the mustards, 1/2 cup of oil and sherry vinegar until thoroughly blended. Set aside.
• Heat a large cast-iron skillet over medium heat. Add 1 tablespoon remaining oil. Meanwhile, season pork chops on both sides with salt and pepper. Set aside to absorb the seasoning for a few minutes.
• When the oil begins to smoke, add the shiitake mushrooms to the pan, brown side down, in a single layer. Cook, undisturbed, for 3 to 5 minutes over medium heat until the caps are seared all over. Using kitchen tongs, turn mushrooms on their other side and cook for a few more minutes until golden. Transfer mushrooms to a plate and set aside. Wipe skillet of any excess oil with a wad of paper towels and set over medium heat once again.
• Add remaining 2 tablespoons of oil to the skillet. When it begins to smoke, add the pork chops in a single layer (you may have to do this in two batches). Cook the pork chops over high heat until the first side is browned, 6 to 8 minutes, depending on thickness. Flip over the pork chops and place the skillet in the center of the oven. Cook for an additional 6 to 8 minutes or until done to taste. Remove the skillet from the oven and allow the pork chops to rest, 5 to 10 minutes.
• Arrange the pork chops on a serving platter. Top with mustard vinaigrette and mushrooms. Serve immediately.

BRAISED PORK BELLY WITH THAI BASIL & TOFU

Steps:

• Heat 1 tbsp of the oil in a heavy, wide flameproof casserole dish and brown the skin side of the pork pieces for about 5 mins. You'll need to do this in batches, setting the pork aside each time. Meanwhile, make the spice paste. Put the ginger, garlic, chillies and oil into a food processor and pulse until finely chopped.
• Heat another 1 tbsp oil in the dish, add the onions and spring onions, and fry for 10 mins until soft. Turn the heat to low, add the spice paste and gently fry for 2-3 mins until fragrant.
• Nestle the pork pieces in the onions and pour in enough cold water to just cover. Stir in the sugar, soy sauces, vinegar, stock and 1 tsp salt, and bring to the boil. Cover with a lid and simmer on a low heat for 1 hr 30 mins. Add the tofu and Thai basil, and continue to cook for another 30 mins, by which time the pork will be very tender. Season to taste, then serve.

SHREDDED TOFU AND SHIITAKE STIR-FRY

Steps:

• Using the coarse holes of a box grater, shred the tofu. Spread tofu out on a clean kitchen towel to drain while you prepare the sauce and mushrooms.
• In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce, Shaoxing, lime juice and sesame oil.
• Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat until it's very hot, then add the peanut oil; it should thin out on contact. Once the oil is hot, add the mushrooms and cook, tossing occasionally, until most of the mushroom liquid has evaporated and mushrooms are browned and slightly crisp, 8 to 12 minutes. Stir in the scallion, lemongrass, ginger, garlic, chile and a pinch of salt. Cook until softened, about 2 minutes.
• Carefully transfer the tofu from the towel into the skillet. Toss in the edamame and the soy sauce mixture. Cook until mixture is heated through. Season with salt as needed. Remove from heat and stir in herbs. Serve with lime wedges.