Brians Spicy Kung Pao Tofu Stir Fry Recipes

CRISPY KUNG PAO TOFU RECIPE

Steps:

• Heat oil in a wok to 350°F. Whisk together 1/2 cup cornstarch, flour, baking powder, and 1 teaspoon kosher salt. Add water and vodka and whisk until a smooth batter is formed, adding up to 2 tablespoons additional water if batter is too thick. It should have the consistency of thin paint and fall off of the whisk in thin ribbons that instantly disappear as they hit the surface of the batter in the bowl.
• Add tofu and carefully turn to coat. Working one at a time, lift one piece and allow excess batter to drip off. Carefully lower into hot oil. Repeat with remaining tofu until wok is full. Fry, using a metal spider or slotted spatula to rotate and agitate pieces as they cook until evenly pale golden and crisp all over, about 6 minutes. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate. Repeat until all tofu is fried. Carefully pour oil out of wok into a heatproof container and reserve.
• Combine stock, soy sauce, bean paste, vinegar, sugar, and remaining 2 teaspoons corn starch in a small bowl. Set aside. Combine scallion whites, garlic, and ginger in a second small bowl. Set aside. Coarsely grind half of peppercorns in a mortar and pestle or spice grinder.
• Set a fine mesh strainer over a heatproof bowl or saucepan. Return 1/4 cup of the reserved oil to wok and heat over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add remaining half of peppercorns and chilies and cook, stirring, for 5 seconds. Immediately drain through fine mesh strainer. Pick out chilies and set aside. Discard cooked peppercorns
• Return infused oil to the wok and heat over high heat until lightly smoking. Add leeks, celery, and long pepper and cook, stirring and tossing, until vegetables are lightly charred and tender-crisp, about 1 1/2 minutes. Clear a space in the center of the wok and add the scallion/ginger/garlic mixture. Cook, stirring, until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add peanuts, dried chilies, and drained tofu. Stir sauce mixture and add to wok. Cook, tossing and folding ingredients together until tofu is fully coated. Add scallion greens and ground peppercorns and toss to combine. Serve immediately with white rice.

BRIAN'S SPICY KUNG PAO TOFU STIR FRY

Steps:

• Whisk together ingredients for sauce into a bowl and set aside.
• In wok, add oil and lightly fry cubed tofu for about 3 minutes, continually tossing. Set aside.
• Add carrots to wok and cook on med. high heat for 3 minutes. Add onion, scallions, garlic and ginger. Cook for about 2 minutes and then add remaining vegetables, water chestnuts, chilis. Continue cooking for additional 2 minutes until vegetables are soft.
• Add tofu back into stir fry.
• Pour sauce over to coat stir fry, may not need all sauce.
• Cook until sauce is reduced to desired consistency.
• Spoon stir fry over 1 cup of steamed rice and garnish with chopped cashews.

KUNG PAO TOFU

Steps:

• Press tofu with heavy object for 20 minutes. This drains excess moisture and also helps in tofu absorbing more flavor.Then cut it into cubes and set aside. While the tofu is being pressed, grate the garlic, ginger and chop the peppers, onion and green onion.
• Once 20 minutes are up, cut tofu into cubes and transfer to a large bowl. Add cornstarch, white pepper powder and salt and toss the tofu until it's coated with with cornstarch.
• Heat the oil in a cast iron skillet (or any pan) on medium heat. Add the tofu to the pan.Cook for 6 to 7 minutes, flipping once in between until tofu is golden brown from both sides. Drain on paper towel.
• Make the sauce by combining all the ingredients- soy sauce, dark soy sauce, hoisin sauce, rice vinegar, rice wine (mirin), sriracha, toasted sesame oil, brown sugar and cornstarch in a large bowl or measuring jar.Whisk until it's all combined together. Set aside.
• To the same pan now in which you had fried the tofu, now add the dried red chilies, garlic and ginger. Saute for 1 minute.
• Then add the diced peppers, onion and chopped green onion. Saute for 2 to 3 minutes.
• Add the prepared sauce and mix. It will thicken immediately.
• Add in the pan fried tofu and mix until all the tofu is well coated with the sauce. Stir in the peanuts and turn off heat.
• Garnish Kung Pao Tofu with cilantro and serve with brown rice.

CLASSIC BEAN SPROUT STIR FRY

Steps:

• In a very hot wok, coat well with oil and add scallions, ginger and garlic. Season and stir. Quickly add the bean sprouts and stir-fry, flipping the sprouts around quickly. Check for seasoning. Serve immediately. May serve with rice.

SPICY TOFU AND VEGETABLE STIR-FRY

Steps:

• Put cornstarch in pie pan.
• Add tofu and coat on all sides.
• Heat 2 TB oil in pan over medium-high heat.
• Add tofu and cook until brown (be careful it turns very easily).
• Remove and transfer to bowl.
• Add remaining 2 TB oil to pan.
• Saute vegetables (green onions- pepper) over medium heat until cooked through (10 minutes).
• Add shrimp (if using) and continue cooking 5 minutes or until shrimp is pink.
• Mix vinegar, sweet n' sour sauce and hot sauce in measuring cup.
• Add sauce mixture and tofu to pan and cook 5 minutes longer.