Sweet and Sour Tofu
A delicious and authentic sauces recipe for Sweet and Sour Tofu, prepared with traditional seasonings and techniques.
Ingredients
- • 1 block (16 ounces / 450 g) extra firm tofu (cut into 1/2 inch (1 cm) squares)
- • 1/4 teaspoon salt
- • 1 tablespoon peanut oil
- • 4 tablespoons cornflour
- • 2 tablespoons ketchup
- • 2 tablespoons Shaoxing wine ((or dry sherry))
- • 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
- • 2 tablespoons light soy sauce ((or soy sauce))
- • 3 tablespoons brown sugar ((*Footnote 1))
- • 2 tablespoons water
- • 1/2 tablespoon cornflour
- • 1/4 cup peanut oil ((or vegetable oil))
- • 2 cloves garlic (minced)
- • 2 teaspoons minced ginger
- • 1/2 small white onion (chopped into 1/2 inch (1 cm squares))
- • 1 sweet pepper (chopped into 1/2 inch (1 cm squares) (I used a mix of colours in this recipe))
Preparation Steps
Marinate the tofu: Spread the tofu on a medium-sized baking sheet and sprinkle with salt. Gently mix a few times. Let marinate for 15 to 20 minutes while preparing the other ingredients.
For the sauce: Mix all the sauce ingredients together in a small bowl and set aside.
Prepare the tofu: When you’re ready to cook, pat the tofu dry with paper towels. Add the peanut oil. Mix a few times. Then add the cornflour, one tablespoon at a time. Stir gently until all the tofu is coated evenly with a thin paste.
To cook the stir fry: Heat oil over medium-high heat in a large frying pan until hot. Add the tofu pieces in a single layer.
Cook over medium heat until the bottom turns golden, 4 to 5 minutes or so. If using a nonstick frying pan, use a pair of chopsticks to separate the tofu as much as you can during the time (*Footnote 2). Flip to brown the other side, another 3 to 4 minutes until turning golden. Transfer the tofu to a big plate and remove the pan from the stove.
You should still have 1 to 2 tablespoons of oil in the pan. Wipe off any excess oil with paper towels if needed. Add ginger and garlic. Cook and stir a few times until it releases fragrance.
Stir the sauce again to dissolve the cornflour completely. Pour into the pan. Stir and cook until it thickens.
Add the white onion and peppers. Stir a few times, then add back the cooked tofu. Stir to coat everything with the sauce, 30 seconds or so. Transfer everything to a big plate. Serve hot as a main dish.