Spicy Tofu With Beef And Szechuan Peppercorns Recipes

SPICY SICHUAN BEEF STIR-FRY

Steps:

• Toss the steak with 1 tablespoon soy sauce and 1 teaspoon cornstarch in a large bowl. Combine the cucumber and celery in a separate bowl; set aside.
• Stir the black bean sauce with the remaining 1 tablespoon soy sauce and 1 teaspoon cornstarch, the cherry pepper brine and 1/4 cup water in a small bowl; set aside.
• Heat 1 tablespoon vegetable oil in a large nonstick skillet over high heat. Add the cucumber-celery mixture and cook, undisturbed, 1 minute. Toss and cook, stirring occasionally, until crisp-tender, 1 to 2 minutes. Transfer to a bowl.
• Heat the remaining 1 tablespoon oil in the same skillet. Add the steak in a single layer. Cook until browned on the bottom, about 1 minute. Toss and continue cooking, stirring, until just a few pink spots remain, 1 more minute. Add the garlic, ginger and peppercorns and cook, stirring, until the meat is cooked through, 1 to 2 more minutes. Add the black bean sauce mixture and cherry peppers and bring to a boil. Cook until glossy, about 1 minute. Toss in the cucumbers and celery.
• Serve the stir-fry over rice. Top with celery leaves.

HOT AND SPICY TOFU AND BEEF

Steps:

• Combine soy sauce, sherry, chilli sauce, sugar and oyster sauce; stir. Marinate tofu cubes in the sauce ingredients for 15mins or more.
• Sprinkle ground beef with salt and pepper.
• Heat oil in wok, stir fry onions, garlic and ginger until fragrant. Add dried chilli and scallion bottoms, stir fry for 1 minute.
• Add seasoned ground beef and continue to stir fry until browned.
• Add tofu and sauce, combine well. Let simmer 1-2mins.
• Add chilli flakes, if you like it really spicy!
• Add cornstarch mixture, stir fry until sauce thicken.
• Garnish with chopped scallion greens, and serve with jasmine rice.

SPICY TOFU WITH BEEF AND SZECHUAN PEPPERCORNS

Steps:

• Bring a kettle of water to a rolling boil. Meanwhile, cut tofu into 1/2-inch cubes, and put into a bowl. Remove kettle from heat; when boiling subsides, pour water over tofu to cover. Let stand for 15 minutes, then drain in a sieve or colander. Transfer tofu to a bowl; set near stove. Measure out 1 1/3 cups water from kettle for sauce, and set next to tofu.
• In a large wok or skillet, toast peppercorns over medium heat for 2 to 3 minutes, until richly fragrant and slightly darkened (you may see a wisp of smoke). Let cool, then pound with a mortar and pestle or grind in a spice grinder. Set aside.
• Heat oil in wok or skillet over high heat. Add ground meat, stirring and mashing into small pieces, until crumbly and cooked through, about 2 minutes. Add ginger, chile flakes, black beans, and chile bean sauce. Cook for about 2 minutes, stirring constantly, until beef is reddish brown and oil is slightly red. Add sugar and soy sauce, stir to combine, and add tofu. Gently stir or give wok a shake to combine without breaking up tofu too much.
• Pour in reserved water, and bring to a vigorous simmer. Cook until tofu absorbs flavors of sauce, about 3 minutes.
• Taste sauce, and add a pinch of salt and a pinch of sugar, if needed. Add green onions; stir to combine. Stir in cornstarch, then add enough to mixture to thicken sauce. (Traditionally, the sauce should be more soupy than gravy-like.) Sprinkle in the ground peppercorns, give mixture one last stir, and transfer to a serving bowl. Serve immediately with rice.

MA-PO TOFU (SPICY BEAN CURD WITH BEEF)

Steps:

• In dry heavy skillet over moderate heat, toast peppercorns, stirring, until fragrant, 3 to 5 minutes. Transfer to bowl and let cool, then grind in spice grinder to fine powder. Set aside.
• In large pot over moderately high heat, bring 4 cups water to boil. Add tofu, remove from heat, and let steep, uncovered, 5 minutes. Using slotted spoon, transfer tofu to medium bowl and set aside.
• In small bowl, whisk together hot bean paste, black-bean paste, 2 tablespoons oyster sauce, and chili powder. Set aside.
• In small bowl, whisk together cornstarch and 3 tablespoons water. Set aside.
• In wok or heavy large sauté pan over moderate heat, heat oil until hot but not smoking. Add beef, ginger, garlic, and scallions and stir-fry until meat is browned, about 1 minute. Add rice wine and cook, stirring occasionally, until most of moisture evaporates, 1 to 2 minutes. Add hot bean paste mixture and cook, stirring occasionally, until mixture is incorporated and oil in pan turns red, about 1 minute.
• Add tofu, leeks, stock, light and dark soy sauces, and remaining 2 tablespoons oyster sauce and bring to boil. Whisk cornstarch mixture to recombine, then add to pan and cook, stirring occasionally, until juices thicken slightly, about 1 minute.
• Transfer to serving dish. Sprinkle with Sichuan peppercorn powder and cilantro, if using. Serve immediately.