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Pepper Salt Tofu (Canto Way)

recipechinesecantonesetofuvegetarianappetizer

Servings:

Pepper Salt Tofu (Canto Way)

Source: Personal recipe

Yield: 4 serving(s)

Time: ~45 min

About

Cantonese-style deep-fried tofu, crunchy outside and silky inside, tossed with garlic, bell peppers, and green onion and finished with white pepper and garlic salt. A great vegetarian main or side.

Key Technique: Boiling the tofu in salted water before frying seasons it from the inside and removes excess moisture, giving a better crust.

Ingredients

  • 452g firm tofu, cut into 2cm cubes
  • 3 stalks green onion (whites only; reserve greens for garnish)
  • 56g mini bell peppers (sweet peppers), diced small
  • 2 cloves garlic, finely minced
  • 1000ml boiling water
  • 4g salt (for boiling)
  • 2 egg, beaten (use a whole egg for 2+ servings)
  • 88g cornstarch
  • 480ml neutral oil (for deep frying)
  • 30ml neutral oil (for stir frying)
  • Dried chilies, a few
  • Garlic salt, to taste
  • White pepper, to taste

Instructions

1. Prep and Boil Tofu

  1. Cut green onions, keeping whites only. Reserve dark greens for garnish.
  2. Dice bell peppers into small cubes. Finely mince garlic.
  3. Cut tofu into 2cm × 2cm × 2cm cubes.
  4. Boil tofu in salted water on high for 3 minutes, then reduce heat and cook uncovered for another 2 minutes.
  5. Drain and cool on paper towels. Pat thoroughly dry — remove as much moisture as possible.

2. Coat Tofu

  1. Place tofu in a bowl and add beaten egg. Gently mix to coat.
  2. Add cornstarch and toss until all tofu is evenly coated.

3. Deep Fry

  1. Heat oil to 190°C.
  2. Fry tofu until golden brown — do not move pieces when they first go in, or the crust may fall off.
  3. Once set, gently stir to fry evenly. Drain on rack.

4. Stir Fry

  1. Heat a pan with oil.
  2. Add dried chilies and fry for about 15 seconds for a hint of heat, then remove.
  3. Fry garlic until fragrant.
  4. Add diced peppers and green onion whites for 30 seconds.
  5. Add tofu for 10 seconds, stirring gently.
  6. Season with garlic salt and white pepper, stirring so all cubes are evenly coated.

Tips

Serving:

  • Set aside extra garlic salt and white pepper at the table for dipping.

Tags: #recipe #chinese #cantonese #tofu #vegetarian #appetizer