Spicy Fermented Soybeans Fried Tofu

5.0 from 1 reviews

Author: Anita Jacobson

Courses: Main Dish

Cuisines: Chinese

Ingredients: Tofu

Prep Time: 15 mins

Cook Time: 15 mins

Total Time: 30 mins

Serves: 4

Ingredients

• 1 firm tofu block (1 lb / 450 gram)
• oil
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 3 tablespoon fermented soybeans
• 4 scallions, cut into 1-inch sections, separate white from green
• 3 to 8 dried red chilies, seeded
• 2 tablespoon Shaoxing
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce
• 1 teaspoon sesame oil
• 1/2 teaspoon ground pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon sugar
• cornstarch solution from 2 teaspoon cornstarch + 3 tablespoon water

Instructions

1. Drain tofu by wrapping with a paper kitchen towel, sandwich it between two plates, and place a heavy object on top of the plate. Set aside for 30 minutes to 1 hour, until you see plenty of liquid pools around the tofu.
2. Once the tofu is drained, cut into 12 squares.
3. Heat a cast iron skillet over medium-high heat for 5 minutes, then reduce heat to medium. Add about 3 tablespoons of oil, then add the tofu. Don't stir the tofu, but let them sit on the skillet until a golden brown skin develops (~ 4-5 minutes), then flip to the other side, and cook again for another 4-5 minutes. Remove fried tofu from skillet.
4. If there is no more oil on the skillet, add another 1 tablespoon of oil. Then sauté garlic, fermented soybeans, white part of scallions, and red chilies for 1 minute.
5. Add Shaoxing, soy sauce, sesame oil, ground pepper, and sugar. Stir and cook until boiling.
6. Thicken sauce by adding cornstarch solution. Stir.
7. Once the sauce is thick, return fried tofu along with green part of scallions to the skillet. Gently toss to coat.
8. Turn off heat, transfer to a serving plate, and serve with steamed white rice.