Kung Pao Tofu

[Guest guest]

Hi

 

Speaking of Tofu. This is really good.

 

Kung Pao Tofu

The purists say nothing but tofu, peanuts, green onion and chilies and

seasonings in this dish! No carrots! No celery! No waterchestnuts! I

like to add shredded carrots to recipe

 

WARNING: DO NOT EAT THE CHILIES!

just push them aside!

 

1 pound extra-firm tofu, cubed into small bite-sized pieces

1/3 cup unsalted, skinned peanuts

2-10 dried red chilies depending on how hot you can stand it

4 green onions, trimmed and sliced into 1-inch pieces, (white & green parts)

oil for frying - canola, vegetable or peanut oil preferred.

 

SAUCE:

4 Tablespoons water

1 Tablespoon corn starch

4 Tablespoons soy sauce

3 Tablespoons rice wine, mirin or dry sherry

1 teaspoon sugar

 

Put a medium pot of salted water to boil. Rinse the block of tofu and cube

it into bite-sized pieces and place the tofu into the rapidly boiling salted

water. Let the tofu remain in the water until it returns to a boil and the

tofu cubes rise to the top. Drain and put on a plate in a single layer to

cool a bit.

 

Make the sauce. In a bowl, mix the cornstarch into the water. Add the soy

sauce, sherry and sugar. Stir to blend.

 

To cook the dish: Use a flat bottomed Teflon skillet and keep the flame

pretty high throughout the approx. 5-7 minutes it takes to complete the

dish.) Heat the skillet and pour enough oil to coat bottom of skillet. Fry

chilies until they begin to turn brown. Remove with slotted spoon to plate.

In same oil, fry peanuts until they begin to turn brown and remove with

slotted spoon to plate. In same oil, fry tofu cubes. Let the tofu cook

until brown and crispy-looking, turning to brown all sides, about 3-5

minutes. Pour sauce over all. Sauce with thicken very quickly - 30

seconds. (This is not a runny-sauce dish!) Add green onions, cook together

less than a minute. Add chilies and peanuts back to re-warm for a few

seconds and serve! Serve with rice.

 

WARNING: DO NOT EAT THE CHILIES!

just push them aside!

 

this serves 4