#generaltao

MusiKitchen - Days of Quarantine: Recipe #5

“General Tao Tofu”

Gosh! This name for the dish is quite “Intimidating”!  But, my version of this dish is definitely nothing like it’s name! :) Tofu, is really such a healthy source of protein. Where can you find a protein, which is naturally gluten-free and low in calories and one, which contains no cholesterol and is an excellent source of iron and calcium?! That being said, let me tell you a little story about my introduction to ‘Tofu.’

The time was around when I was in high school, and I stumbled upon Panda Express “Tofu Eggplant.” I never tried it before, and since I wanted to eat something veggie on that particular day, I ordered it.  The tofu was crispy, yet soft and combined with the sauce and eggplant, it really made me like it alot.  So much so, that my order at Panda Express became that, along with a non veg item, most days. 

This simple version of General Tao’s tofu, is very quick and can be made with the littlest of the littlest, which we keep in our pantry and fridge! Pair it with Fried rice, steamed rice, or chow mein and you have great chinese dinner, in no time!

What You Will Need:

Tofu : One box; extra firm; cubed and fried

Green beans: As needed; cut in half

Red Chilli: 1

Chinese Packet flavor Spice or Chinese Masala: 1 teaspoon

Sweet Chilli Sauce : 1 tablespoon

Soy Sauce or Soyaki: 3 tablespoon

Maple Syrup: 2 tablespoon

Sesame Seeds: As needed

Garlic: 1 teaspoon; minced

Ginger Paste: 1 teaspoon

Cornflour: Optional

Sesame Oil or vegetable: As needed

How to Cook it: 

Open up your boxed tofu and squeeze all the excess water out of it and deep fry it.  Fry it evenly, until it is golden brown in color.  (**Please try not to over fry it, as it need to be soft in the center and crispy around the edges). [See pic #1]

In a large skillet (of your preference), heat some oil and add the minced garlic to it, along with the ginger paste and lightly saute.

Next, add all the sauces (Soy/Soyaki, maple syrup, sweet chilli sauce) and sesame seeds and stir. [See pic #2]

Now add the red chilli to it and the fried tofu and stir and cook for 7 mins. [See pic #3]

Add in the Chinese Packet flavor spice or Chinese masala and stir. [Note: If you add this, you won’t need add cornflour to thicken the sauce, as the packet flavoring already have it in them]

Once the dish is looking uniform and the sauce is thickening up, add in the green beans and stir.  Cook it for another 7 mins until the sauce is the consistency you desire. [See pic #4 & #5]

Turn off the gas and serve the dish with fried rice, steamed rice or chow mein. [See pic #6]

And, it’s really as simple as that.  In about 20 minutes or so, you have a healthy and tasty tofu dish.  During this time, ‘Health is Wealth!’ and this dish is all about that! :)

While Cooking I was listening to:

Ici, mon adaptation d’une recette apparemment très connue, mais que je n’ai découverte que récemment: le tofu Général Tao.

Alors, si comme nous, vous avez décidé de réduire votre consommation de viande, cette recette est pour vous.

Je l’ai simplifié au maximum, même les enfants peuvent la réaliser. Rapide et facile, à vous de jouer!

Pour 4 à 5 personnes:

- 400g de tofu ferme

- 30g de fécule de maïs (le fond d’un bol)

- 3 cuillères à soupe d’huile végétale (arachide, tournesol, olive...)

- 2 gousses d’ail hachées

- 1 morceau de gingembre frais haché, ou à défaut 1 cs en poudre

- 2 cuillères à soupe de sirop d’érable

- 2 cuillères à soupe de sauce soja

- 2 cuillère à soupe de ketchup

- 1 cuillère à thé de sauce Sriracha (piment,facultatif, selon les goûts)

- 3 oignons verts émincés

- 30 cl de bouillon de légumes

- Poivre et graines de sésame pour servir

- Riz basmati, blé ou quinoa en accompagnement

1- Découpez le bloc de tofu en cubes, égouttez-le si besoin au préalable sur du papier absorbant.

2- Enrobez les cubes de tofu de fécule de maïs et faites-les paner au wok dans l’huile. Réservez.

3- Préparez la sauce: mélangez la sauce soja, le sirop d’érable, le ketchup (et la sauce piment si vous en mettez).

4- Dans le même wok, faites revenir l’ail, les oignons (gardez le vert) et le gingembre, rajoutez de l’huile si besoin.

5- Versez la sauce dans le wok, puis le bouillon et laissez réduire quelques minutes.

6- Rajoutez les cubes de tofu pour les réchauffer un peu, le vert émincé des oignons et les graines de sésame.

7- Servir avec du riz, du quinoa ou du blé