Szechuan Style Tofu

Szechuan Style Tofu is a vibrant and spicy dish that combines crispy tofu with a bold, aromatic sauce infused with Szechuan peppercorns. This dish offers a delightful balance of flavors and textures, perfect for a cozy dinner.

Ingredients

• Firm tofu - 300 grams
• Szechuan peppercorns - 1 teaspoon
• Vegetable oil - 2 tablespoons
• Garlic - 3 cloves, minced
• Ginger - 1 tablespoon, minced
• Red bell pepper - 1, sliced
• Green onions - 2, chopped
• Soy sauce - 2 tablespoons
• Chili paste - 1 tablespoon
• Rice vinegar - 1 tablespoon
• Sugar - 1 teaspoon
• Cornstarch - 1 tablespoon
• Sesame oil - 1 teaspoon
• Salt - to taste
• Black pepper - to taste

Steps

1. Press the tofu for 15 minutes to remove excess moisture, then cut into bite-sized cubes.
2. In a small bowl, mix soy sauce, chili paste, rice vinegar, sugar, and cornstarch to create a sauce.
3. Heat vegetable oil in a pan over medium heat. Add Szechuan peppercorns and stir-fry for 1 minute until fragrant.
4. Add minced garlic and ginger to the pan, sauté for an additional 30 seconds.
5. Add the tofu cubes to the pan and fry until golden brown on all sides, about 8-10 minutes.
6. Incorporate the sliced red bell pepper and cook for another 3-4 minutes until slightly softened.
7. Pour the prepared sauce over the tofu and vegetables, stirring well to coat evenly. Cook for another 2-3 minutes until the sauce thickens.
8. Drizzle with sesame oil, season with salt and black pepper to taste, and garnish with chopped green onions before serving.

Nutrition

• Calories: 320
• Protein: 18 g
• Carbs: 16 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Sugar: 4 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Cholesterol: 0 mg
• Total Fat: 22 g
• Saturated Fat: 3 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 19 g
• Water: 0.2 L

Health Benefits

• High in plant-based protein from tofu, supporting muscle health.
• Rich in antioxidants from bell peppers and garlic, promoting overall health.

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