Red Cooked Tofu Family Style Recipes

RED-COOKED TOFU

Steps:

• Cut the tofu into pieces 1 inch by 1 inch by 3 inches. Place them on paper towels to drain for 10 minutes.
• Heat a wok or skillet and add the 1/2 cup peanut oil. When it is hot, deep-fry the tofu pieces on both sides until they are golden brown. Drain them well on paper towels.
• Discard the oil and reheat the wok or skillet. Add the 1 1/2 tablespoons of oil and stir-fry the scallions and garlic for 30 seconds. Add the rice wine, hoisin sauce, soy sauces, sugar and stock. Bring to a boil, add the fried tofu and cook over high heat for 10 minutes, or until the tofu has absorbed most of the sauce.
• Add the sesame oil, gently stir, then serve.

RED-COOKED TOFU, FAMILY STYLE

Steps:

• Cut the bean-curd cake into 1-inch-by-3-inch-by-1-inch pieces. Lay them on paper towels and drain for 10 minutes.
• At a slight diagonal, cut the scallions into 3-inch pieces.
• Heat a wok or large saute pan until it is hot. Add 1/2 cup of the peanut oil, and when it is hot, fry the bean curd on both sides until it is golden brown. Drain the bean curd well on paper towels.
• Drain and discard the oil. Wipe the wok clean, reheat and add the remaining 1 1/2 tablespoons of oil. Then add the scallions and garlic, and stir-fry for 30 seconds. Put in the rest of the ingredients except the sesame oil. Bring the mixture to a boil, return the fried bean-curd pieces, and cook over high heat, stirring occasionally to distribute the sauce, for 10 minutes or until the bean curd has absorbed most of the sauce. Add the sesame oil and give the mixture a final turn. Serve at once.

CRISPY TOFU WITH ROASTED VEGETABLES

Steps:

• Put a large baking sheet on the middle or lower oven rack and preheat to 500 ̊ F. Cut the sweet potatoes in half lengthwise, then halve each piece lengthwise to make 4 long wedges.
• Slice the wedges crosswise and combine in a large bowl with the green beans, 2 tablespoons olive oil, 3/4 teaspoon salt and a generous grinding of pepper; toss well. Spread on the hot baking sheet and roast, tossing once, until tender and browned in spots, about 30 minutes.
• Meanwhile, cut the tofu into twelve 1 1/2- to 1 3/4-inch cubes. Press with paper towels to absorb some of the moisture; season with salt and pepper. Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add the tofu and cook, turning occasionally, until browned and crisp on all sides, about 15 minutes.
• Combine the parsley, chives, lemon zest and a pinch each of salt and pepper in a mini food processor; pulse until chopped (or finely chop by hand). Add the remaining 3 tablespoons
• olive oil and pulse to combine. Scrape into a bowl and stir in the lemon juice and 1 to 2 teaspoons water to make the sauce loose enough to drizzle. Season with salt and pepper.
• Divide the vegetables and tofu among plates. Drizzle with the herb sauce and top with the almonds and more chives.

RED CURRY WITH TOFU & VEGETABLES

Steps:

• Heat 2 teaspoons of the oil in a large nonstick skillet (I use my nonstick wok) over medium-high heat. Add the tofu and cook, stirring every 2-3 minutes, until browned, about 6-8 minutes total. Transfer to a plate.
• Heat the remaining 2 teaspoons oil over medium-high heat. Add sweet potato and cook, stirring occasionally, until browned, 4 to 5 minutes.
• Add coconut milk, broth and curry paste to taste. Bring to a boil; reduce to a simmer and cook, covered, stirring occasionally, until the sweet potato is just tender, about 4 minutes.
• Add the tofu, green beans and brown sugar; return to a simmer and cook, covered, stirring occasionally, until the green beans are tender-crisp, 2 to 4 minutes.
• Stir in lime juice and salt. Sprinkle with cilantro and serve with lime wedges, over rice if desired.

RED-COOKED TOFU

Steps:

• Cut the tofu blocks into 1-inch squares that are ½-inch thick. Pat dry with a paper towel.
• Heat the vegetable oil in a wok over high heat until it is just beginning to smoke, about 395°F. In two batches, deep-fry the tofu pieces until a brown skin forms on the outside, about 5 minutes. Use a skimmer to transfer the tofu to a paper-towel-lined plate.
• Remove all but 2 tablespoons of the vegetable oil from the wok. Add the garlic to the wok and stir-fry until it is fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add the pork and continue to stir-fry for another 30 seconds or until it is completely cooked.
• Add the shiitake mushrooms, bamboo shoots, 1½ cups water, the wine, both soy sauces, sugar, and pepper to the wok and bring the liquid to a boil.
• Put the tofu in a saucepan and pour the contents of the wok over the tofu. Bring the liquid to a boil, then cover and braise the tofu over medium heat for about 10 minutes, until the tofu has absorbed the flavor.
• In a small bowl, mix the tapioca starch with 2 tablespoons water to make a slurry. Stir this into the braising broth and cook until the broth has thickened, about 1 minute. Serve the tofu garnished with the julienned scallion.

RED CURRY WITH TOFU

Steps:

• Bring 4 cups water and rice to a boil in a saucepan. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer until rice is tender and water has been absorbed, 20 to 25 minutes. Remove from the heat and keep warm.
• While the rice is cooling, slice tofu and place on a plate with cloth napkins or paper towels between the slices. Place another plate on top. Set a 3- to 5-pound weight on top. Press tofu for 20 to 30 minutes; drain and discard any accumulated liquid.
• Heat a dry, nonstick pan over medium-low heat. Add tofu and cook slowly, pressing with a spatula to release any remaining liquid, until golden brown, 3 to 5 minutes. Flip and repeat on the other side. Remove and set aside.
• Heat oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add bell peppers, onion, and remaining 1/4 cup water; cook, tossing frequently, until tender, 3 to 4 minutes. Add coconut milk and curry paste; simmer until slightly thickened, about 5 minutes. Add tofu and toss to combine.
• Serve over warm rice. Squeeze lime juice over top and garnish with basil.