Simple Five Spice Tofu Recipes

FIVE SPICE TOFU WITH SESAME NOODLES

Steps:

• Slice the block of tofu into 1/2-inch slabs. Lay some paper towels or a clean tea towel on a flat surface, and place the slabs side by side on top of the paper towels. Cover with another layer of paper towels, then place a cutting board on top of the tofu, and stack a bunch of heavy cans or pots or whatever you can safely balance on the cutting board. Let the tofu drain for at least 15-30 minutes.
• Whisk together the hoisin, rice vinegar and five spice powder until combined. Set aside.
• Make the sesame noodles according to recipe instructions here.
• Remove the paper towels and slice the tofu into 1/2-inch cubes. Heat the oil in a large non-stick sauté pan over medium-high heat. Add the tofu and sauté for 8-10 minutes, flipping and tossing the tofu every 2 or so minutes, until it is crispy and browned. Remove pan from heat, add hoisin sauce, and toss until combined.
• Serve the sesame noodles topped with the tofu (plus any extra veggies you might like to add), sprinkled with toasted sesame seeds and thinly-sliced green onions for garnish. Enjoy!!

FIVE-SPICE TOFU STIR-FRY

Steps:

• Heat 1 1/4 cups water to boiling in 1-quart saucepan. Stir in rice; reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer 10 minutes.
• Meanwhile, mix stir-fry sauce, orange juice, honey and five-spice powder in medium bowl. Press tofu between paper towels to absorb excess moisture. Stir tofu into sauce mixture; let stand 10 minutes to marinate.
• Spray 12-inch nonstick skillet with cooking spray; heat over medium heat. Remove tofu from sauce mixture; reserve sauce mixture. Cook tofu in skillet 3 to 4 minutes, stirring occasionally, just until light golden brown. Remove tofu from skillet.
• Cook onion in skillet 2 minutes, stirring constantly. Add frozen vegetables and 1/4 cup water. Heat to boiling; reduce heat to medium. Cover and cook 6 to 8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until vegetables are crisp-tender.
• Stir in reserved sauce mixture and tofu. Cook 2 to 3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until mixture is slightly thickened and hot. Serve over rice.

SIMPLE FIVE SPICE TOFU

Steps:

• Slice firm tofu into slabs, heat a non stick or cast iron skillet to medium heat, add some toasted sesame oil (I also added mustard oil, but I doubt most of you have that around). place the tofu in the skillet and sprinkle with salt and a lot of freshly ground black pepper, garlic powder, 5 spice powder and optional hot chili powder. Cook until golden brown and flip, adding a couple glugs of soy sauce. Cook for several minutes on the second side, then add around 1/4 cup water and let it cook down.

VEGETARIAN FIVE SPICE TOFU STIR-FRY

Steps:

• In bowl, whisk together broth, oyster sauce, cornstarch, soy sauce, sugar and 1/2 cup water. Set aside.
• Cut tofu into 1-inch cubes, toss with 5 spice powder. In wok or skillet, heat half of the oil over medium high. Stir-fry tofu for 4 minutes (or until golden). Transfer to paper towel lined plate.
• Heat remaining oil over medium high heat, stir-fry garlic and hot pepper flakes for 30 seconds.
• Add bok choy and mushrooms, stir-fry for 3 minutes.
• Stir in tofu and broth mixture, bring to boil. Reduce heat, cover and simmer until thickened and vegetables are softened (around three minutes). Serve over rice.

SUPER SIMPLE SPICY FRIED TOFU

Steps:

• Drain tofu, rinse, and pat dry. Cut into squares.
• Heat sesame oil in a wok over medium heat. Add onion and cook for 2 minutes. Add red pepper and stir-fry for 2 minutes. Stir in tofu and cook for 2 minutes. Stir in brown sugar, soy sauce, and chili-garlic sauce. Mix together and cook for 3 minutes. Adjust seasoning to taste. Sprinkle with green onions before serving.

FIVE-SPICE TOFU STIR-FRY WITH CARROTS AND CELERY

Steps:

• Heat 14-inch-diameter flat-bottomed wok or heavy 12-inch-diameter skillet over high heat until drop of water added to wok evaporates on contact. Add 1 tablespoon peanut oil and swirl, then add tofu and stir-fry until tofu just begins to brown, about 1 minute. Transfer tofu to plate. Add remaining 1 tablespoon peanut oil to same wok (do not clean). Add carrots, celery, and Szechuan preserved vegetable and stir-fry until carrots are crisp-tender, about 3 minutes. Return tofu to wok; add rice wine, salt, sugar, and white pepper. Stir-fry to blend, about 1 minute. Remove pan from heat; stir in sesame oil and serve.