Szechuan Spicy 'Fish'

Szechuan Spicy 'Fish' is a vibrant and flavorful vegan dish that captures the essence of traditional Szechuan cuisine using plant-based ingredients. This dish features marinated tofu that mimics the texture of fish, enveloped in a spicy and aromatic sauce, perfect for spice lovers.

Ingredients

• Firm tofu - 300 grams
• Cornstarch - 3 tablespoons
• Vegetable oil - 3 tablespoons
• Garlic - 4 cloves, minced
• Ginger - 1 tablespoon, minced
• Szechuan peppercorns - 1 teaspoon
• Dried red chilies - 4-5, whole
• Soy sauce - 2 tablespoons
• Chili bean paste - 1 tablespoon
• Vegetable broth - 200 ml
• Green onions - 2, chopped
• Bell pepper - 1 medium, sliced
• Cilantro - for garnish

Steps

1. Press the tofu for 15 minutes to remove excess moisture, then cut it into 1-inch cubes.
2. In a bowl, toss the tofu cubes with cornstarch until evenly coated.
3. Heat vegetable oil in a pan over medium heat. Fry the tofu until golden brown on all sides, about 8-10 minutes. Remove and set aside.
4. In the same pan, add minced garlic, ginger, Szechuan peppercorns, and dried red chilies. Sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
5. Stir in the soy sauce, chili bean paste, and vegetable broth. Bring to a simmer and let cook for 5 minutes.
6. Add the fried tofu back to the pan along with sliced bell pepper. Cook for another 5 minutes, stirring gently to coat the tofu with the sauce.
7. Garnish with chopped green onions and cilantro before serving.

Nutrition

• Calories: 320
• Protein: 20 g
• Carbs: 20 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 860 mg
• Cholesterol: 0 mg
• Total Fat: 24 g
• Saturated Fat: 2 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
• Water: 0.5 L

Health Benefits

• Rich in plant-based protein from tofu.
• Contains antioxidants from garlic and ginger, which may boost immune health.

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