TOFU AND STIR FRIED VEGETABLES IN HOT SCHEZWAN SAUCE

 Any Tofu lovers? I agree its an acquired taste,but going by the health benefits it has to offer, I try including it in my diet now and then. People are not very fond of the bland taste, but once that is overcome, Tofu does taste good. 

Tofu is a plant based milk product that comes from the milk of Soya beans, it is also called Bean curd. There are different kinds of Tofu based on their texture, such as- silken, soft, firm and extra firm. Depending on the dish we make the tofu is chosen. Popular dishes with Tofu include Soups, stir fry, and  curries.

Tofu has zero percent cholesterol and is a weight watchers delight, because it is protein dense and less in carbohydrates. It is also considered to be a good source of iron and calcium.

So how do we take away the blandness, obviously by marination. Tofu requires a little more time than paneer to marinate. So, I plan ahead when I want to cook my tofu dish. I prefer Tofu as a stir fry or as part of mixed vegetables in a sauce. So this dish is a combination of a Stir- fry and sauce. In this dish I have infused the sauce while stir frying instead of marination.

I usually choose to make this with fried rice as the Schezwan sauce base of this dish is the perfect pairing for the fried rice. I usually use a homemade Schezwan sauce made the traditional way using Chinese five spice, but for this particular recipe I have used Ching's secret Schezwan Rice masala. Since I am using a ready made masala the work gets done a little sooner, so it is perfect for my after work dinners.

While you are here check out other Indo- Chinese recipes on the blog like- Vegetable Manchurian with gravy, Schezwan fried rice with Soya chunks, Cauliflower Fried rice, Chinese Paratha, and more...

Here is the recipe for Tofu and stir fried vegetables in hot Schezwan sauce-

PREP TIME: 20 Mins                                         COOK TIME: 40 Mins

 TOTAL TIME:60 Mins                                          COURSE:  MAIN

 CUISINE:  FUSION                                             SERVINGS: 5

 AUTHOR: Rajni Ram

     Ingredients:

     

     Tofu 200 gm cut to cubes

     Green chillies 4 (divided)

     Garlic 10 cloves (divided)

      Ginger 1 inch piece (divided)

     Assorted vegetables 1.5 cups ( I used capsicum, carrot,purple cabbage, spring onion, baby corn, Red bell peppers, all cut lengthwise).

     Ching's Secret Schezwan Rice Masala 1/2 packet

     Chings secret Schezwan sauce/chutney 1 tsp

     Soya sauce 1 tsp

     Vinegar 2 tsp  

     Salt as required

     Sugar 1 tsp

     Water as required

     Cornflour 1/2 tbsp

     Sesame seeds 1 tsp

     Oil for sauteing

     Directions: In a blender take green chillies(2), garlic(4 pods), ginger(1/2 inch), soya sauce and Vinegar, and blend. In a pan take some Oil for sauteing the Tofu. Drop in the tofu cubes when oil id hot and stir fry until they have a brown coating. Now pour the blended sauce into the tofu and continue to stir fry, until all the sauce is absorbed by the Tofu pieces and they turn dry. Transfer to a plate and keep aside. In the same pan take some more oil. When hot add the chopped garlic, green chillies and ginger and fry for 30 seconds. Now add the Spring onion(both greens as well as bulb), and saute. Further add the capsicum, carrot, cabbage and saute, add the salt and sugar, and continue to stir fry until the vegetables are done, but are still firm. In a bowl take the corn flour, Chings Schezwan masala powder, and any remaining sauce used for trying the tofu, and make a slurry by mixing them in 1/2 cup water. Pour this slurry into the stir fried vegetables, add another 1/2 cup water, Schezwan sauce or chutney and stir everything together very well. Finally add the stir fried Tofu pieces and cook for 2 minutes. Switch off the flame and sprinkle some sesame seeds. Enjoy hot with some Fried rice.

STEPWISE RECIPE FOLLOWS:

1. In a blender take green chillies(2), garlic(4 pods), ginger(1/2 inch), Soya sauce and Vinegar, and blend. (Picture not inserted).  In a pan take some Oil for sauteing the Tofu. Drop in the tofu cubes when oil id hot and stir fry until they have a brown coating.

2. Now pour the blended sauce into the tofu and continue to stir fry, until all the sauce is absorbed by the Tofu pieces and they turn dry. Transfer to a plate and keep aside.

3. In the same pan take some more oil. When hot add the chopped garlic, green chillies and ginger and fry for 30 seconds. Now add the Spring onion(both greens as well as bulb), and saute. Further add the capsicum, carrot, cabbage and saute.

4. Add the salt and sugar, and continue to stir fry until the vegetables are done, but are still firm.

5. In a bowl take the corn flour, Chings Schezwan masala powder, and any remaining sauce used for trying the tofu, and make a slurry by mixing them in 1/2 cup water. Pour this slurry into the stir fried vegetables, add another 1/2 cup water, Schezwan sauce or chutney and stir everything together very well. 

6.  Finally add the stir fried Tofu pieces and cook for 2 minutes. Switch off the flame and sprinkle some sesame seeds. Enjoy hot with some Fried rice.

     NOTES:

1. Tofu can be easily swapped with Paneer in this recipe.

2. The vegetables used here are completely customizable.

3. This recipe has been cooked with store bought sauce. To make homemade Schezwan sauce, click here.

4. I served the Tofu and stir fried vegetables in hot Schezwan sauce, with Gobi fried rice.