CHINESE TOFU RECIPES

Steps:

• Wrap the tofu in 2 layers of paper towels and place on a plate. Put another plate on top of the tofu to weigh it down and microwave for 2-3 minutes, or until drained.
• After microwaving, carefully unwrap the tofu and slice into ½-1 inch cubes. Pat each cube dry.
• In a large nonstick skillet, heat the vegetable oil and 1 teaspoon of sesame oil over medium-high heat. Once the oil is hot, add the tofu and cook on all sides until golden brown, 2-4 minutes per side, then remove from the pan and set aside.
• Add broccoli to the hot pan with the vegetable broth. Cover and reduce the heat to medium-low. Steam for 5 minutes.
• Remove the lid and increase the heat to medium-high.
• Add the garlic, ginger, and remaining ½ teaspoon of sesame oil. Stir until softened.
• Add the soy sauce, agave, rice vinegar, and cornstarch slurry. Stir until thickened to your desired consistency. Add the sesame seeds and stir to incorporate.
• Return the tofu to the pan and toss to coat in the sauce.
• Serve over white rice and garnish with scallions and sesame seeds.
• Enjoy!

Steps:

• Add a small pinch of salt and ground pepper. Mix well and set aside.
• Cut tofu into square cubes (around 2cms). Bring a large amount of water to a boil and then add a pinch of salt. Slide the tofu in and cook for 1 minute. Move out and drain.
• Get a wok and heat up around 2 tablespoons of oil, fry the minced meat until crispy. Transfer out beef out and leave the oil in. Add another 1 tablespoon of oil.
• Add another 1 tablespoon of vegetable cooking oil and fry doubanjiang for 1 minute over slow fire until the red turns red (bring us a lovely red color dish) and add fermented black beans,  garlic, scallion white, ginger and fermented black beans to cook for 30 seconds until aroma. Optionally  mix pepper flakes in. Pepper flakes should be added at the end because it contains little water and can be burnt easily.  
• Then pour in water or stock. Add light soy sauce, sugar and half of the cooked beef (providing more flavors to the soup) after the broth boils and let it continue simmering for 2-3 minutes. Place the tofu in, simmer for another 6-8 minutes. The longer time of simmering helps the tofu to absorb the flavors.  
• During the process of simmering, mix 1 tablespoon of cornstarch with 2.5 tablespoons of water in a small bowl to make water starch. Stir the water starch and then pour half of the mixture to the simmering pot. Back push and wait for around 30 seconds and then pour the other half. You can slightly taste the tofu and add pinch of salt if not salty enough.  Add cooked beef to creates some crispy texture and then drizzle sesame oil. Mix well. 
• Transfer out when almost all the seasonings stick to tofu cubes. Sprinkle Szechuan peppercorn powder (to taste)and chopped garlic greens if using.
• Serve immediately with steamed rice.