eglamkowski's Journal: recipe of the day

And now its back to tofu. Yes, this Five Spice Tofu is something a bit different, even for tofu. I mean, how often do you use Five Spice powder?

1/2 pound firm tofu, cut into 3/4" cubes (or use up to 1 pound, since that's how its normally sold)
2 tablespoons soy sauce
1 tablespoon grated tangerine or orange zest
1 tablespoon white vinegar
1 teaspoon five-spice powder
1/2 teaspoon of hot chili paste (or chili garlic paste)
1" piece of peeled minced ginger
1 garlic clove, minced
3 teaspoons peanut oil
8 scallions, thinly sliced
1/2 red bell pepper, seeded and cut into 1" pieces
1 cup trimmed snow peas, steamed
3/4 cup water chestnuts, sliced
2 teaspoons cornstarch dissolved in 1 tablespoon water

Prepare the marinade by combining in a plastic bag the soy sauce, orange zest, vinegar, five-spice powder, chili paste, ginger, and galic.

Add the tofu, seal the bag, squeezing out the air. Make sure the tofu is coated, then let it sit in the refrigerator for at least 3 hours. Drain and reserve the marinade.

In a large wok, heat 2 teaspoons of oil. Add tofu and cook until lightly browned, 3-4 minutes. Transfer to a warm plate.

Wipe out the skillet and heat the remaining 1 teaspoon of oil. Add the scallions and pepper and cook until softened, about 5 minutes.

Add the snow peas, water chestnuts, tofu, 1/3 cup of water, and the marinade. Toss gently til heated through, about 2 minutes.

Add the dissolved cornstarch and cook gently for another minute longer, until the sauce thickens and coats the tofu.

Serve over hot steamed rice.

Now, if red bell peppers are ridiculously more expensive where you live then are the green bell peppers, don't hestitate to make that substitution. I do.

thanks

[Servo]

Finally one of your recipes that I can eat. :)
All your stuff usually sounds good.

Re:thanks

[eglamkowski]

I got a couple of you vegetarians reading my journal ;-)

I like to eat vegetarian myself from time to time, so I don't mind accomodating with some good vegetarian recipes. In fact, based on my shopping earlier this week, I'm apparently going veggie for the week. I didn't plan it that way, it just happened :-p

You like Indian food? They gots the best vegetarian food to be had! Ironically, I do not have an Indian cook book. Hmmm... birthday coming up soon, guess that's something to put on the list, eh?

Re:thanks

[Servo]

I love indian food. There is a really good vegetarian only Indian place in Parsipanny. Unfortunately, that's in the opposite direction going to work, so I don't get out that way often.

there is a really good family run indian place just down the street, which while not strictly vegetarian, has about 80% vegetarian on its menu, and a good vegetarian lunch buffet.