Szechuan Pepper Tofu

Szechuan Pepper Tofu is a vibrant vegan dish that features crispy tofu infused with the numbing heat of Szechuan peppercorns, complemented by a rich, smoky BBQ sauce. This dish brings the bold flavors of Sichuan cuisine right to your table, making it perfect for a delightful dinner experience.

Szechuan Pepper Tofu
30 minutes
Difficulty: Medium
Chinese
320 kcal

Ingredients

  • Firm tofu - 300 grams
  • Szechuan peppercorns - 1 teaspoon
  • Soy sauce - 2 tablespoons
  • Maple syrup - 1 tablespoon
  • Rice vinegar - 1 tablespoon
  • Garlic - 2 cloves, minced
  • Ginger - 1 teaspoon, grated
  • Cornstarch - 2 tablespoons
  • Vegetable oil - 3 tablespoons (for frying)
  • Green onions - 2, chopped (for garnish)
  • Sesame seeds - 1 tablespoon (for garnish)

Steps

  1. Press the tofu for about 15 minutes to remove excess moisture, then cut it into bite-sized cubes.
  2. In a dry skillet over medium heat, toast the Szechuan peppercorns for 2-3 minutes until fragrant, then grind them into a coarse powder using a mortar and pestle or spice grinder.
  3. In a bowl, combine the soy sauce, maple syrup, rice vinegar, minced garlic, grated ginger, and half of the ground Szechuan peppercorns to make the marinade.
  4. Add the tofu cubes to the marinade and let them sit for at least 10 minutes to absorb the flavors.
  5. After marinating, toss the tofu cubes in cornstarch until they are evenly coated.
  6. Heat the vegetable oil in a frying pan over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the tofu cubes and fry for about 4-5 minutes on each side until golden brown and crispy.
  7. Remove the tofu from the pan and drain on paper towels to absorb excess oil.
  8. Serve the crispy tofu topped with the remaining ground Szechuan peppercorns, green onions, and sesame seeds.

Nutrition

  • Calories: 320
  • Protein: 20 g
  • Carbs: 23 g
  • Fiber: 2 g
  • Sugar: 5 g
  • Sodium: 800 mg
  • Cholesterol: 0 mg
  • Total Fat: 20 g
  • Saturated Fat: 2 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
  • Water: 0.2 L

Health Benefits

  • High in plant-based protein from tofu, which supports muscle health.
  • Contains antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties from Szechuan peppercorns.

Tags

ChineseVeganBBQ