Tuesday, September 28, 2010

Fried Tofu with Szechuan Pepper and Salt

I am a sucker for any salt and pepper dishes. If we dine out and I see in on the menu I will definitely order it. Most of the restaurant here will prepare it with pork, calamari or shrimps but for today I am doing it with tofu. These dishes are not difficult to prepare. Basically you just deep fried the main ingredients and sprinkle it with salt and Szechuan peppercorn mixture. As for the Szechuan pepper all you have to do is dry roast it over medium heat on a heavy-based pan until it begins to ‘pop’ and aromatic. Cool it down and then grind it into powder with a mortar and pestle or spice grinder. I usually make more of it and store it in an airtight container.

Ingredients:

1 block of firm tofu – cut into 1” cubes
½ cup of cornstarch
Salt to taste




For the salt and pepper dip

1 tsp of Szechuan pepper
2 tsp salt


1. Dry the tofu with some paper towel. Sprinkle it with some salt. Heat oil in a hot wok until surface seems to shimmer slightly. Lightly coat tofu pieces in cornstarch.
2. Carefully lower the tofu into the hot oil – it is important not to coat the tofu in advance of heating the oil, or it will become very moist and sticky.
3. Fried until lightly brown and crispy, remove and drain the oil on paper towel.
4. Arrange tofu on a platter and serve immediately with the salt and pepper mixture.

19 comments:

  1. Good idea to serve tofu this way.
    Simple and nice.

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  2. Çok leziz, çok güzel ve iştah açıcı görünüyor. Ellerinize, emeğinize sağlık.

    Saygılar

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  3. Great idea, must try one day!

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  4. Fuss-free way to eat tofu. No need for sauce. Great!

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  5. Tofu is my family favorite and I definitely want to try this, thanks Gert ;)

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  6. Ahhh...simple and delicious!

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  7. THis looks so flipping tasty

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  8. Lovely tofu dish. You sure fried it very nicely. ;) can serve this dish as a starter at dinner party, yum!

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  9. What a simple way to have your fried tofu! The tofu crust looks so crispy and yummy.
    Kristy

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  10. I love this dish. Tofu is always my favorite. Don't know what szechaun pepper is. Would you mind showing us the package? This szechaun pepper mixture sound like the ones that is used with Cantonese steamed chicken. Any idea? Thanks.

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  11. That's a simple and delicious party food!

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  12. Gert, I don't mind having this as a snack while watching a movie/drama :)) sure yummy !

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  13. Thank you ladies for all your lovely comments.

    Wendy, I bought the szechuan peppercorn from the Asian store and threw away the packaging already. You can find out more about the peppercorn here :

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sichuan_pepper

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  14. Looks simple but definitely delish!

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  15. I am also a sucker for salt and pepper dishes hehe...tofu is a great ingredient for salt and pepper..yum!

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  16. I think I can finish the whole plate of your crispy tofu!

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  17. Tofu!! Long time I didn't cook tofu, and this is a really simple and delicious one. I'm sure everybody will like it. Bookmarked!!

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  18. We love to order these at the dim sum place we frequented. The Szechuan peppercorn is a nice addition!

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