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Crispy Szechuan Tofu

Crispy Szechuan Tofu: Your New Favorite Vegan Delight

Satisfy your cravings with this Crispy Szechuan Tofu, a healthy and vibrant dish that perfectly blends crispy tofu with spicy Szechuan sauce.
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Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Pressing Time 30 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: DINNER
Cuisine: Chinese
Calories: 250
Ingredients Equipment Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Tofu
  • 1 block firm or extra-firm tofu Use for best texture and crispy results.
  • 1/4 cup cornstarch Creates a crispy coating.
  • 2 tablespoons sunflower or canola oil Essential for frying.
For the Sauce
  • 1/4 cup tamari or soy sauce Tamari is gluten-free.
  • 2 tablespoons maple syrup Provides sweetness.
  • 1 tablespoon Sriracha sauce Adjust for heat preference.
  • 2 tablespoons rice wine vinegar Can substitute with apple cider vinegar.
  • 3 cloves garlic Minced.
  • 1 teaspoon ground dried ginger Fresh ginger can be used for a bolder flavor.
  • 1 teaspoon Chinese 5 spice For depth and complexity.
For the Vegetables
  • 1 medium red pepper Chopped.
  • 2 scallions chopped For garnish.
For the Seasoning
  • 1/2 teaspoon chili flakes Adjust based on spice tolerance.
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper Omit if sensitive to spice.

Equipment

  • Non-stick sauté pan

Method
 

How to Make Crispy Szechuan Tofu
  1. Press Tofu: Wrap the tofu in paper towels and place it under a heavy object for 30 minutes to extract excess moisture.
  2. Prepare Sauce: In a mixing bowl, combine tamari or soy sauce, maple syrup, Sriracha, rice wine vinegar, minced garlic, ginger, and Chinese 5 spice. Stir well and set aside.
  3. Cut Tofu: Once pressed, remove the tofu, pat it dry, and cut it into even cubes. Coat each piece generously in cornstarch.
  4. Fry Tofu: Heat oil in a non-stick sauté pan over medium-high heat. Fry the tofu cubes for about 5-7 minutes until golden brown and crispy.
  5. Sauté Vegetables: Remove crispy tofu from the pan and set aside. Sauté chopped red pepper in the same pan for about 5 minutes until tender.
  6. Combine: Return fried tofu to the pan and pour in the prepared Szechuan sauce. Stir everything together for 1 additional minute.
  7. Serve: Plate the crispy Szechuan tofu in bowls, garnishing with chopped scallions.

Nutrition

Serving: 1servingCalories: 250kcalCarbohydrates: 20gProtein: 15gFat: 12gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 3gMonounsaturated Fat: 3gSodium: 600mgPotassium: 500mgFiber: 3gSugar: 5gVitamin A: 10IUVitamin C: 60mgCalcium: 20mgIron: 15mg

Notes

Leftovers store beautifully; reheat on the stove for the best texture. Adjust spice levels based on preference.

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