Tofu is a common source of plant-based protein. Thus, it is commonly found in vegetarian dishes. There are different varieties of tofu according to its softness and texture. The softest ones are usually steamed and drizzled with garlic oil, green onions and light soy sauce to form a dish. Or, they are cut into cubes to be cooked in soup. The harder ones are usually cut or sliced and stir fried with vegetables. They can also be deep fried and cooked into a dish on its own like what I have done.
Ingredients:
- 2 pieces of semi-hard tofu
- 1 onion, slice into rings
- 2 cloves garlic, chopped
- 1 tsp chili paste
- 1/2 cup water
- 1 tbsp light soy sauce
- 1-1 1/2 tsp dark soy sauce
- 1/2 tsp salt
- Cooking oil for deep frying
- 1 tbsp sesame seeds, toasted
Method:
- Slice the 2 pieces of tofu into 2 horizontally. Then cut them into triangles.
- Heat up a kuali with cooking oil.
- Deep fry the triangles till they are golden brown.
- Drain and remove them from the kuali into a bowl and set it aside.
- Remove the cooking oil from the kuali leaving about 1 tbsp of oil behind.
- Add onion rings to the kuali. Fry them till they are transparent. Remove and set them aside them.
- Add garlic to the kuali. Fry them till they are fragrant.
- Add chili paste and continue frying till the chili is fragrant.
- Add water to the kuali. Then add the seasonings - light and dark soy sauce and salt.
- Let the sauces boil. Once the sauces start to boil, return the deep fried tofu to the kuali.
- Braise the tofu till they are softer and the sauces have reduced.
- Return the onion to the kuali and fry them till they are mixed with the tofu.
- Dish up.
- Sprinkle the toasted sesame seeds on the tofu.
- Serve.